What Slant Acceptable

[omowright]

What angle of slant (laterally) is accaptable for an SUV on lift pads before it would "start" to slip? In other words, what differance in height between the pads on one side and that of the other (take 2-post lift) before it is estimated to begin sliding?

 

[kd3pc]

slant from one side to the other??? Should not be any...some lifts will feel that imbalance/difference in height or from the other side - and will not lift...our John Bean does that every now and then with only a couple of inches difference side to side..

from front to back, it all depends...where is the weight most concentrated, where is the "center" of the vehicle, and where is that center as compared to the lift arms, pads, etc.

 

[omowright]

The difference will be forced by using support stands along one side. How many inches of difference can I dare before it may start to slip?

This may be easier for me if there are full-rise 2-posts that the posts could be used independently. Are there any known?

 

[hillbilly slim]

Curious on why you want the slant?

 

[APEowner]

What the heck are you trying to accomplish?

 

[omowright]

Want to do some work along one side but the arms are obstructing. Support stands along that side then bring lift down a few inches to free the arms on that side for retracting and parking out of the way. Later, raise lift to lock level with jackstands ...

 

[Gotcha640]

What sort of work? Might be able to come up with an alternative method.

Are you talking full on industrial jack stands, up to 6 feet high, tons of load capacity? Or just something like and engine or trans jack, meant for less than 1k lbs?

What sort of height are you looking at? I'd have no problem lifting just the back or front of the car with the lift, but just lifting one side is probably not a good idea.

Could you do this work on the floor with a floor jack and big jack stands?

 

[vavet]

If you're talking about the setting the high stands under the support points and then lowering the lift just enough to allow the arms to swing away, then I think you're going to be fine. It sounds like you're talking about less than an inch you'll need it to be unlevel.
Btw, some of those high lift stands have a screw type adjustment. Maybe you could use those to load the stands with the weight to unload the lift arm before lowering the lift. This would reduce the overall amount of "out of level."
I do wonder though...what are you working on?

 

[omowright]

Vavet, you are spot on! Can the screw-type adjustments be used when the support stand is already loaded (i.e. being used to slightly raise the load)?

I want to weld 8' heavy metal poles to the body beneath the doors, lowering the c.g. and increasing anti-roll. I want it done standing (height 6') ...