Car Lift Security Bolts

Having just purchased a 8,000lb Lift King (it shows up on Wednesday) I have been thinking of the same idea. I agree that the bolts would be simple. In a bout of total paranoia, I also tinkered with the idea of buying four adjustable posts (like the ones holding up the floor beams in most new homes), but this is surely overkill - an 8-post lift!?!?

Anyway, when mine shows up I am going to watch how the boys assemble it and then test for a few days on each weld setting before #3528 goes up ...

I'd be afraid to drill my lift in the possibility in compromising the structural integrity of the beams themselves.

How about getting some steel rod or pipe, cutting them to proper length and inserting them in the slide channel as an emergency stop in case of lock failure. A less invasive second safety latch.

quote:

Originally posted by 4NFORD:
I'd be afraid to drill my lift in the possibility in compromising the structural integrity of the beams themselves.

How about getting some steel rod or pipe, cutting them to proper length and inserting them in the slide channel as an emergency stop in case of lock failure. A less invasive second safety latch.

That is what I thought of...but after a few years of dependable service from my Direct-Lift 4-pole...I never did anything (other than ensure all four uplocks are engaged).

TomCat: I PM'd you.

The horror stories that I have seen have been not because of the lift coming apart when it is locked in and at rest; the failures that I know about are when the lift is in motion, and the alignment of the cable to pulley goes out and the cable rides the pulley and falls out of the groove -- creating those catastrophic photos that most of us have seen. Those that have these lifts really need to watch the pulleys; lube them on occasion, and actually lubricate the cables too. I lube mine with lithium grease in the spray can (the white stuff).

No matter what lift one has, all of the excitement happens when the lift is in motion and not sitting still, IMHO of course.

quote:

Originally posted by DeMopuar:
The horror stories that I have seen have been not because of the lift coming apart when it is locked in and at rest; the failures that I know about are when the lift is in motion, and the alignment of the cable to pulley goes out and the cable rides the pulley and falls out of the groove -- creating those catastrophic photos that most of us have seen. Those that have these lifts really need to watch the pulleys; lube them on occasion, and actually lubricate the cables too. I lube mine with lithium grease in the spray can (the white stuff).

No matter what lift one has, all of the excitement happens when the lift is in motion and not sitting still, IMHO of course.

I think you are right, but I live in earthquake country and just thinking of a little more security with it standing there too. I don't think a bolt through the post would compromise the integrity of the post because it would be such a small drill hole size and on that portion of the lift (that area is just where the inner post slides). The direct lift already has a few holes drilled bigger than that size on the horizontal portions of the lift...I did think of that too but I sure aint no engineeer. However direct lift does have some solid pullies and supports, so it may just be overkill thoughts I am having. When I do park the cars I keep some tension on the cables too in addition to having it locked, so maybe that would help. Sometimes I just think of 3 Panteras getting crushed or toppled onto if something was to let loose.

If I were to do it, I would drill the holes through the lift. Then make a washer from a piece of 1"-1 1/2" round stock, drill the proper hole for your pin. Then weld over the previously drilled hole on the lift post. This will support the pin hole in the post. FWIW.
Jeff

quote:

Originally posted by DeMopuar:
The horror stories that I have seen have been not because of the lift coming apart when it is locked in and at rest; the failures that I know about are when the lift is in motion, and the alignment of the cable to pulley goes out and the cable rides the pulley and falls out of the groove -- creating those catastrophic photos that most of us have seen. Those that have these lifts really need to watch the pulleys; lube them on occasion, and actually lubricate the cables too. I lube mine with lithium grease in the spray can (the white stuff).

No matter what lift one has, all of the excitement happens when the lift is in motion and not sitting still, IMHO of course.

Funny you say this...but I agree.
I have had the up-lock release (hold the lever while you relieve the pressure on the cylinder and runners come down) fail to release one uplock and the lift got torqued for a split second until I stopped/reversed the motion.

I silently and conscientiously watch the lift go up and down (no talking with visitors, listening for unusual sounds).

quote:

Originally posted by TomCat:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by DeMopuar:

I silently and conscientiously watch the lift go up and down (no talking with visitors, listening for unusual sounds).

Damn straight! Once I was lowering the lift and didn't hold the release fully and one of the locks caught on one of the posts and the lift got crooked. You have to pay attention lifting and lowering...no martinis on a Friday night dats for sure. I may end up leaving the lift alone not bothering with any extra supports. It was just a thought. I guess if my insurance company is confident enough with 4 post lifts to cover damage if somehting occurs, then thats probably good enough for me.

DOES 200,

I did not even consider the earthquake thing -- but it does make sense to consider. I was just thinking about the earthquake thing a little more, and if there was the BIG, HUGE one -- now just stay with me -- how would it affect the car on the top, and bottom and possibly to the side? I mean, with so much lateral motion, would the car come off the top if it was not tied to the lift? What about the lift itself? Would it also move enough on the flat steel pads if not bolted down to slime the bottom or side car with a steel leg? I am in God's Country in the midwest, so I did not even consider earthquakes. I am sure that cars on the west coast have gone through this before, anyone have any stories on how their cars survived, with a lift in the mix? Great discussion.

Quakes I have experenced out here so far usually roll or drop suddenly. With all the car weight on the lift I would doubt if the car or the lift would move with a roll quake. I was thinking more of the drop type of quakes, where it could put a sudden strain on the 4 post locks. But I do keep my cables somewhat taught in addition to the locks so I assume that may do some good as sort of a double locking system. Insurance companies you would think know most about this stuff, and my Hagardy says they never had issues with 4 post lifts. But then again, with a good size quake anything could happen. In one quake a few years back I saw the whole inside of my house twist for about a half minute during a quake and when it stopped all was ok, except for my nerves.

Instead of drilling the main support rails which I am sure would void any warranty, lawsuit or insurance claim.

Why not cut down either a 4X4 post or some square steel tubing that can be placed under the post supports? Strap it to the upright with tie-downs so that if the lift should release, it will come down and rest on the post/tubing?

I wouldn't be so worried about the locks failing but the lift twisting and tipping over since the weight/center of gravity is placed high.

I bought a lift a few months ago and, after a few dozen (hundred?) trips up and down, the only way I can see a lift failing is as follows ...

- on its way up or down (cable slips pulley or breaks)
- on its way down (safety lock catches on one rail - thus torquing the ramps)

If the car is at the top-most height, the entire lift could be pushed over ... but it would take an earthquake or one heck of a push.

All in all, I feel very safe with my lift. I've been working under it a lot lately.

I did not install the bolts and, despite thinking about rigging up the same secondary post support, I now think such effort is not required. Just make sure you pay special attention while the lift is in motion, especially coming down as you have to ensure the safety locks are FULLY engaged; otherwise, one or several of them could catch ... and that would suck!