How to safely use a two post hoist in an automotive shop!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ส.ค. 2024
- This video shows everything you need to know to be able to safely use a 2 post lift with any vehicle on the planet and without damage to your vehicle. I teach you where to lift depending on what type of vehicle you have and all of the little safety points that will prevent damage to you, your vehicle , and your hoist. Gearhead level 2 status guaranteed!
This is another episode of a brand new series on how to become a GEARHEAD! If you have ever wondered how people know so much about cars and are absolutely crazy about anything with a motor, then this is a great series for you. This is geared towards people that have no knowledge of cars but want to learn; however, the content in my videos does try to make solid connections between theory and practical applications so even seasoned gearheads will find the info useful.
So share the channel with friends that love cars, trucks, motorcycles, scooters, and anything else that goes Vroom Vroom!!! This channel is all about helping people learn how to fix their own cars, save their money, and finding a passion for working with their hands!
If you have any questions about lifting a vehicle or the new series, please feel free to comment and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Time me....
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Disclaimer: These videos are intended for entertainment and inspiration. Working in a woodshop, metalshop, or autoshop is dangerous without proper safety and experience. Always seek professional advice and training before using any power tools/machinery. If you have any uncertainty before performing any shop procedure, stop and learn a safe method/technique. Do not attempt anything simply because you saw it in one of my videos. Be smart, use common sense, respect your power tools/machines, and be safe.
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Lifts are beginning to be more common in average garages and I’m surprised that there isn’t more info out there about them. Thank you for your time and info.
You're welcome Chad, glad you enjoyed the video and got something out of it. Thanks for the watch!
I’ve been using these lifts for years and it’s nice to see a very well done video on where to put the lift arms and how to use a 2 post lift. Job well done.
Sweet, glad you enjoyed the video and my teaching style! If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate it if you could share out my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel! Cheers!
I’ve worked lifts most of my life but just got a personal one and this was a fantastic refresher. Thorough and without unnecessary dead spots while you’re doing the task. Well done!
Awesome, glad you enjoyed the video! If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate it if you could share out my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel!
I normally don't watch safety videos. They are usually so obvious ie safety glasses, gloves ,etc. But this one was really informative with some good basic instructions. Well Done!
Glad you enjoyed the video and my teaching style! Hopefully I earned your subscription today and if you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate it if you could share out my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Thanks for the watch and your support for the channel! Cheers!
Well done. I wasn't going to watch this but I did. You covered everything perfectly. Every person who uses a lift should watch this and all new users should definitely watch this.
Thanks for your kind words! I do try very hard to make the best videos I can so it's always nice to hear from subscribers. If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate it if you could share out my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel!
Great confidence instilling video. One of the best and most thorough videos on actually using a 2 post above ground lift. I've seen one thing you could have specifically added, which should be caught by your very first point about having a professional inspect the lift annually, is if you don't hear the locks click perfectly synchronized as you go up you should stop, put the vehicle down and take the lift out of service till it is fixed (simple fix but very important).
I have been doing all my own vehicle repairs and maintenance at ground level and that's getting old (should have bought one 15 years ago) so I've been preparing myself for a lift in my personal garage.
Looking forward to future content.
Cheers!
Yeah good point on the safety latches clicking at the same time, it's really hard to have absolutely everything in the videos (even though my niche is just that). The 2 post hoist is a back/neck saver for sure, you gotta think of your body for the long term too. Glad you liked the video, I was trying to make the best video out there for lifting. I was quite surprised to see how some really popular automotive youtubers' lifting videos were lacking. If you feel the video was worthy, I'd really appreciate a share out on your social media. Thanks for the view!
Thanks! My dad built a garage and installed a two post lift a while back. He showed me once how to use it a while back, ended up doing an oil change today on jack stands since he wasn't home and I wasn't confident. Saving this video for the next time im doing something over there and need to get it up in the air.
You're very welcome! I highly recommend you watch the video and have your Dad there to help you on your first couple times to ensure your setup is correct. Safe wrenching! If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate it if you could share out my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel!
The best video I’ve seen on lifts.
Awesome, exactly what I was shooting for. If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate it if you could share out my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel!
Great Job, I'll give you an A+ on your lesson today ! That's almost verbatim what I was told when I started working at a shop that had a lift before I was allowed to use it and that was about the year 1957. Thanks for sharing !
Thanks David! Whoever gave you that lesson must have been an amazing teacher!!! LOL. Glad I was able to refresh your skills! If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate it if you could share my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Thanks in advance David! Cheers!
Dude!! You did an amazing job. As an Auto Instructor your video covered every aspect for these new students, Great job.
Perfect! Yeah I use it with my Automotive students so I tried to include everything they needed to know to be safe. Thanks for the watch and your support of the channel!
great video, I used to work in a shop but its been years and wanted to brush up before getting back under a lift. Super helpful!
Awesome! Glad you appreciated the video. Why the break from wrenching if you don't mind me asking? Thanks for the watch. Cheers!
Thanks mate! I'm a hobby mechanic and just ordered one of these for my garage... A lot more confident to use it now than before i watched your video!
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed the video and that it made you more confident. Perfect! Have fun with your new hoist! Be safe! If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate it if you could share out my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel!
Thanks just about to install my first hoist. A Great informative video well done!
Awesome, what did you get? Glad I could help you out. Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel!
Nice. Easy enough and well explained. Thanks man. Just a Home lift so far as I need it. For my physical condition now. It’s been a while since I e used a Post lift. Thanks
You're very welcome. Yeah a hoist is so much nicer to work on. Welcome to the channel!
good solid advice presented like a true professional .
Thank you very much Richard! Lots more where that came from for automotive, welding, and cool tech projects. Thanks for the watch!
Very thorough and helpful. Thank you! 👍
I'm glad you enjoyed the video. If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate it if you could share out my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel!
This is why i never wanted to peruse being a mechanic. I get super paranoid working underneath a lifted vehicle. Super informative video. Thank you
Yeah I get it. I think there are a lot of trades where there are sketchy jobs that make you question whether you are 100% safe. However, as long as you follow the proper safety guidelines for machines and equipment, you are safe. It's when you miss one/rush a job/or are not trained that accidents happen. That's why my video is longer than 3 minutes and goes into such details. Glad you enjoyed the video, cheers!
Very good information and excellent presentation, thanks!
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the video and my teaching style! If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate it if you could share out my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel! Cheers!
Great video ,Thank you for taking the time to make it. I just picked up a used mowhawk 9k lift in great condition. A friend and me just installed it yesterday. Install was not as hard as it seemed. I had a pad made with 11" of concrete where the columns would go. The only thing I'm concerned with the Mowhawk is the releasing cable .You have to go to both columns to release the locks. Otherwise the lift is overbuilt. Thanks for the tutorial.
Thanks! Cool, your own hoist....sweet! Make sure to do monthly and yearly checks on that hoist to prevent accidents or hoist failures. Enjoy your new hoist! Welcome to the channel and thanks for the watch!
Thank you very much.
You are welcome! Glad you enjoyed the video. If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate it if you could share out my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Thanks for the watch and your support for the channel!
Great vid!! I am considering seriously getting one after spending 5 hrs on my back in the slush. I had seen one chevy extended cab I was asked (and refused) to do a frame repair on that was bent right behind the cab. I told him to talk to the garage but the said the frame was rusted. I looked at it and it was in no way structurally unsound and suspected they used the wrong lift points as the owner has untrained high school kids working there
If ya can swing it, a hoist is pretty awesome to have. Hard to say with rusty bodies/frames, sometimes they are easily bent on even an attempted lift. Careful with your frame repair, they can be tricky to make strong again and be realistic with the repair. If the metal is too thin to weld to or there are parts you can't get to, it might be a bigger job. Good luck!
Thank you very much for teaching me how safely use two pole car lifter. Have a nice day.
You're very welcome dude! Thanks for the watch!
Just got my first lift, found this really helpful 👍🏻
Awesome! Glad you liked the video and congrats on getting your hoist. Safe wrenching!
Very cool. I probably will never have to operate one, but, I really feel much more knowledgeable about their use and safety (and) you answered my question: How do you figure out WHERE to place the lift points in order to balance a vehicle properly!
Two comments, (1) You made a big deal of closing the overhead door before lifting, but forgot to open the car door before driving off, and...
(2) Ouch! I sure hope the posts have cushioning because the truck's door really impacted the post!😄
Thx!
Glad you enjoyed the video! Hrmm must me an editing thing cause pretty hard to drive out with out opening the door. I'll have to look at the video again cause I don't remember hitting the post hard. The posts have a rubber pad on them so it shouldn't make any damage though unless you slam the door. Thanks for the watch!
Great teacher !
Thank you! 😃. If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate it if you could share out my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel! Cheers!
Nice video.
Only issue , before you backed out you forgot to open the door.lol
Lol, the door got opened before driving out, maybe just not in the edit! Thanks for the watch!
Thanks for this because my instructor at school....didn't go as good of detail as u did
Glad it helped! If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate it if you could share out my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Thanks for the watch and your support for the channel!
thank you so much. i learnt a lot about safety using the lift.
You're very welcome! Lot's more stuff to learn if you're ready. Thanks for the watch!
Really excellent instruction. Best one I have seen. Thank you.
Thank you for your kind words! I do try hard to make the very best videos I can so it's always nice to hear from subscribers. If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate it if you could share out my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel!
so close to that magical 1K my friend, awesome video as always :)
big thumbs up and complete watch :P
Sooooo close, I'll probably break that 1000 subscribers in 2 weeks. Glad you are enjoying the videos!
Thanks. This was very educational and a great refresher.
Happy to help! If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate a share out on your social media so I can help out more people. Thanks for the watch!
Dam I am glad I found your channel!🔥
Man I'm glad you found my channel too! It's so hard to be seen in a sea of TH-cam content out there. If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate it if you could share out my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel! Cheers!
Nice job. Really clear lesson. Thanks.
You're very welcome! Hopefully I earned your subscription today. Lot's more auto goodness waiting for you. Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel!
Superbly made video. I really learned something today. Thank you.
Awesome, glad you enjoyed the video! If you deem me worthy I'd really appreciate it if you could share out my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel!
this video is great! Ready for my auto assignment from a freshmen
Glad it was helpful! There's lots more of these videos here too. If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate it if you could share out my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Thanks for the watch and good luck on your assignment!
" Bravo Zulu " - Well Done Presentation ! !
Vietnam Era Veteran
(562)LongBeachCertified
Glad you enjoyed the video and welcome to the channel! Thanks for the watch!
Thanks for a great video. I am about to purchase one of these. The low ceiling height version. In the UK. I listened carefully to everything you said, & ingested it to the grey matter. Thanks.
Steve.
Cool! Mind me asking how much and what brand? Good luck and safe wrenching. Make sure you drill/check the concrete depth so it's a safe thickness!
Hi yes it is a Automotech AS-230NSP. From a UK Company& full CE compliant. The garage base I put in when i built the garage. There is a video of the complete build including the base that i did by hand. Most of it is 6" deep. Done in slabs as seen on the vid.There is steel rebar in there so i'll have to watch for that when drilling. It is rated at 3 tons & it is £1824.00 + delivery. $2267.46 US. Which i thought very resonable. Comes with all fixings & 3 sets of lift height adaptors. It is going to be used mainly on a TVR Chimaera 450 that i have just bought.
Steve.@@wayofthewrench
Nice! That seems like a reasonable price. Cool car! Happy wrenching!
Excellent coverage of all aspects of properly operating a lift. Can you please share where to obtain the lifting guide/manual? Also, how do you typically judge where to stop the vehicle between the posts? Stop when the post is even with the steering wheel, middle of the seat, other?
If you do a google search for American Lift Institute guide, you'll find the purchase link. It's about $25 bucks. It depends on the type of vehicle and where the weight is but generally on my hoist, I place the vehicle so the edge of the drivers side door when opened is just behind the post and then I adjust the position so that the arms/lifting pads reach the correct lifting points on the vehicle. Thanks for the watch and the good questions!
@@wayofthewrenchThanks I had the same question. Your video was excellent and maybe one of the best out there. However, I find it confusing because I thought that it depends on front wheel drive vs rear wheel drive and trucks, where centre of gravity is either aligned at the steering wheel or the driver’s seat. I am trying to make sure that I place my new 2 post in the right location in my shop so I would love to clarify things (assuming I have a symmetrical lift with asymmetrical arms like that Challenger). Which vehicles go 50%50% vs 30%/70% (front/back). I would lift the following:
84 Porsches 944
2017 Subaru Forester
2007 Sienna van
2012 Beetle
1972 Monte Carlo
2012 Ford 150 crew cab
The ALI guide and ALI online training don’t really get into this.
Thanks.
You're very welcome. If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate it if you could share out my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Yes you are correct, it does depend on a bunch of factors including where the driveline components are. However, Ali lift guides show where the vehicle manufacturers have already figured where it should be lifted from. That's where you lift. Hope that clarifies it for ya. Thanks for the watch and your support for the channel!
Yes, another top tutorial video. Great stuff.
Thanks bruh! Thanks for the view too!
Great video .
Glad you enjoyed it! Hopefully I earned your subscription today. Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel!
3:33 that should be a good old lift there. For years I wanted a Challenger lift (I lived in Louisville) until they were bought and a I understand they are made by the ccp. So I bought a Rotary. 13:56 I don’t let my vehicles down onto the locks at full speed. You can crack that dump valve for a lesser impact. Lastly, for say a full size crew cab truck or similar I recommend some supplemental jack stands. The distance between lift points isn’t that far and when wrenching on the ends of the vehicle you can get some sway. The stands located at each end make things much more stationary.
Yeah it's a pretty good hoist, had for at least 15 years now. The other is pretty new, say 3 years now. Yeah I did mention the use of hoist stands for supporting vehicles when changing the loads or if really reefing on stuck fasteners. They are pretty valuable and really do make it safer. Thanks for the watch and happy wrenching! Cheers!
Thank you!
You're welcome! Hopefully I earned your subscription today! Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel!
Great video and very helpful I wish there was a video on the installation of a replacement spotting dish
Why are you replacing your spotting dish? Did you change your hoist? If you did you just have to layout and drill the holes for the spotting dish as per the installation instructions. They will give you a generic location based off of the most common wheel base and you adjust the vehicle placement depending on lifting pad location/ vehicle lift points. Thanks for the watch!
No was that a compression fitting on brake line ? thanks great video need a refresher for a job
Hrmm not sure but whatever's on that vehicle is stock. What minute in the video did you see it? Thanks for the watch!
The Master Tech that trained me was scary with lifts. He "doesn't give a Sh!t about the safe latches". And he did so many sketchy things only because he is so comfortable. I'm cool with spending a few extra seconds to do it safely and he would get frustrated with me.
Yeah dude...it only takes a few seconds to do the job 100% right and safe. All it takes is a rushed moment and you have vehicle damage or worst case, an injury or death. It's not worth it and I'm happy to hear you realize the benefit in doing the job safely. Good on ya Jay! Thanks for the watch.
Wow great video- well made, thank you
Glad you enjoyed it! If you deem me worthy I'd really appreciate it if you could share out my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Thanks for the watch!
This was an amazing video, you are an expert at teaching
Glad you liked it Nick! I try really hard to make videos that are interesting to watch and easy to learn the content. If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate it if you could share my channel on your social media so I can help more people. If you liked this video then you'll really like my new one on drum brake inspection! Thanks for the watch!
Great job, My lift is stuck in the up position, any ideas? my lock adjustment is a door at the bottom.
Yikes that sucks. As I am not there and I don't know your hoist, I would search online for procedures for fixing a stuck hoist. Hopefully you got it figured out. Thanks for the watch!
thank you very informative
No worries bruh! If you liked this one, you'll really like the jacking up a car vid. Thanks for the watch!
it's been a while since I've used one. so refreshing my memory before I have to teach my students. we primarily do oil changes and detailing in our class.
Nice, it's always good to know what you're doing and feel confident when teaching students! Yeah we run a shop that does customer work as well. Just about everything except major work like engine swaps, etc. Where do you teach? Thanks for the watch!
professional !
Thanks! If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate it if you could share out my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel! Cheers!
Very Helpful Thanks
Glad it helped! If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate it if you could share out my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel!
Great vid, thanks for the share of pro info.
Yeah no worries, glad you enjoyed the video and appreciate the info. Happy wrenching!
Great video....cheers!
You're very welcome. Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel! If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate it if you could share out my channel on your social media so I can help more people. Cheers!
Thanks for a very informative video. I recently installed a 2 post lift with asymmetric arms , in terms of lifting, where should the vehicle, in this case a VW tiguan be situated front to rear? should the front tire be just passed the post or should the vehicle be in the centre of the posts? front to back, not side to side...thanx
I would refer to your lift operator's manual to be 100% safe but as long as the 4 arm lifting pads are under the correct lifting points for your vehicle than your ok. I find that the left lift post is usually around the middle-near edge of the left driver's door when I open the door to get out. I now use that as an initial guide if I'm far enough forward and then check if all of the lift pads reach where they need to. You get your hoist installed by a certified installer? Enjoy your new hoist!
Great info......well presented. Iwas looking for info on how to install a assymetric lift in regards to my 2006 Shev Silverado. That is.....how would the truck sit as to the position of the posts? Post just aft of the front fender?? Middle of the front door?? At the end of the front door. My garage is not very deep...so i only have a few feet font to back to play with. Wanna get it right.
Just wanted to add that the Siverado is a crew cab.
In the installation instructions, there should be measurements for where the post pads should go. If not, the posts tend to be next to the front doors so that when you open the front door it should just be able to open but be close if not touching the posts. Double check that the position of arms can reach the lift points and that the truck can be inside the garage/shop bay doors and preferably with room to work around the back with bay door closed. Maybe lay it all out before any permanent mounting happens. Also when you drill the holes for concrete anchors, check the thickness of the concrete slab as there are minimum thickness required. Good luck!
Pretty good video. Two things you should note tho are. 1. GVWR of a vehicle is not how much it weighs. Vehicles that are obviously heavier than the one in the video should be weighed. 2. Don’t lift cars by the pinch welds without a pinch weld adapter. The pinch welds will bend then the jack supplied with the car will not work when you need it.
Thanks Kerry! Yeah the GVWR is gonna be heavier as it includes the load and occupants but I just go off of that for what the hoist can safely lift as you are using the heavier weight. Ya know I have been lifting unibody vehicles for over ten years and we have never bent a rocker panel lip over. If you lift from the recommended areas and from all 4 pads, you shouldn't have any problems. If a unibody vehicle is not intended to be lifted from the rocker panel lips, they will recommend other areas, an ALI lift Institute guide is good for checking this info. Now if a vehicle is heavily rusted, that is another issue and probably be reassessed to see what is alternative lift points to use. Whenever I do see bent over rocker panel lips, it is usually from lifting one corner of the car with a floor jack. The notched pads you mentioned can help but are generally for floor jacks only. Thanks for the suggestions and the watch. Cheers!
You dont seem too concerned about chipping the underseal off with those knarley metal pads?
It also looks like jack damage to the red car bodywork, where you demonstrate the alternative lifting pad?
Not really, we are lifting on 4 pads so there isn't too much pressure on them. In over 11 years, I have yet to see any vehicle where there was significant rust caused by the lip of the rocker panel paint being scraped/chipped off. We have one hoist with a rubber pad adapter as well if needed. The red car (1967 Pontiac Parisienne) is 55 years old and is a body on frame vehicle (only the empty body is on the hoist) and the entire bottom of the car needs to be replaced. Any damage you see there is from previous lifting over the 55 years. Thanks for the watch!
@@wayofthewrench ". Any damage you see there is from previous lifting . " Say no more!!
How do you do a brake job on a drive on ramp
Ramps? You can't. You need the wheels off for brakes. A drive on hoist has secondary jacks to lift the vehicle off of the drive on hoist ramps. Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel!
How tall are you? The hoist doesn't look like it has lifted the vehicle high enough for you to comfortably work under it. How high does the hoist go?
I'm 6' so it's close but it's comfortable for me. Maybe if I was taller it would be a pain. It does go higher but not onto a safety. Thanks for the watch!
This was very imformative. Im 73 and been doing most repairs on my vehicles . Just put in my lift by myself. Its a true asymetric lift with the posts turned inward 30 degrees. This lift had the power unit on the drivers side ....which i found most were on the passenger side. So ihad to rejig the lift and some of the components to the passenger side power unit configuration. I still have a question of exactly how to position the vehicle. Its a 2006 silverdo crew cab pickup and i find if i set it at 30 percent of the vehicle forward of the post.....and position the arms as shown in the video, it seems to be rear heavy. I question how does the centre of gravity of the vehicle affect how far you drive it in...and where you position the arms????
Thank you very much. I would consult the lift's owners manual as to vehicle placement, there will be a section on placement based off vehicle length and drivetrain placement. A really rough idea would be that the edge of the drivers side door should be at the edge of post, otherwise you can't get out. Then go from there. Congrats on your new hoist!
Thank you for your response. The lift manufacturer has absolutely no information on how to position the vehicle. Thank you for your suggestion.....i'll try that.🙂
You get that new hoist figured out?
Hi. I believe there is a mathematical formula to figure out the centre of gravity of the vehicle where I believe the posts should be positioned???
I'm bad at math.....so I did it the practical way. I set up a heavy metal square crossbar long enough to engage both left and right frame rails and at a height I knew from lifting the truck...that would just take the wheels off the ground. I lowered the truck slowly onto the crossbar and kept moving it until I could see and feel by moving one end of the truck that it was essentially balancing on the bar. That position of the crossbar was the center of balance of my truck....and I believe where the posts of the lift should sit???
However I could not open the drawers of my tool chest at the front of the vehicle as it was against the wall. However....with the vehicle lifted that was not an issue. I'm tight on space in my shop....but I guess I could have positioned the posts about 18 inches further back.
Would it be a big issue if I placed the posts forward of the center of balance so I can have access to my toolbox when the vehicle is positioned at waist height??
Ì will admit that I have lifted my truck to full height with the posts forward of the center of balance. And I believe it being somewhat tail heavy...I ALWAYS place a support stand at the rear end.
COMMENTS???
This is amazing! I'm in the process of opening a shop and it's crazy how little information there is on how to use a lift. I am worried about lifting it the way you did by not using a pinch weld adapter. I do see that you replied to a comment saying you've never had issues doing it that way for ten years. I do have a question. We had a Mohawk 9k lift installed and the arm ho to far out. The only way to lift the cars are to put a lifting block on the inner arm and lift the car. It is very stable when tested with the rocking method. Do you think that's a bad idea?
Thanks. Oh there's a lot of info and videos out there but a lot of it is garbage too. A good thing to buy for your shop is a new ALI lift guide. I would only use the lift as the manufacturer has stated in the operators manual. Lifting vehicles with the arms is usually a no no. Thanks for the watch!
@@wayofthewrench I appreciate the reply.
Glad I could help ya out!
the front arms on the lift are shorter for like a frontwheel drive car engine in the front so you keep the car in balance they can fall of if you do it wrong mechanic for 12 years
Yeah you gotta place those lifting pads where they need to be for your vehicle or you're gonna have a big problem. Thanks for the watch!
Do you prefer the 4 post lift (where you drive the car onto the lift itself) or the 2 post? I worked in a shop that had mostly 4 post lifts but we had one 2 post and I always felt sketchy using the 2 post compared to the 4 post. But I’m about to get a job in a dealership and they have nothing but 2 post lifts. I think I’m going to be nervous in the beginning
I actually prefer the 2 post because there is more access to the vehicle parts. You also don't have to lift the vehicle off of the ramps to do tires or brakes. Just make sure you know what you're doing and double check your lifts before you start. You got this! Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel! Good luck with your new job!
How does a novice find the proper balance point..aka how far do I pull into the lift
I generally drive it forward until the door is next to the post and then I check my position by opening the door and usually the edge of the door is close to the edge of the post. Then I get out and check if I can swing in the arms and the pads can be put in the correct lift points. Usually it's pretty close. Cheers and thanks for the watch!
I'm confused about the safety when lowering the car, how do I know if I'm on it correctly? I can hear the clicks when raising the car, but not sure how to tell if I've lowered it in the right spot.
Great question! Once you go past a click by maybe a second, you watch the vehicle while you lower the lift. Make sure both sides of the vehicle stop moving when it stops on the safety stops. If you're lowering the vehicle to a lower position, raise the vehicle off of the safety stops, pull down and hold the safety release lever and lower the vehicle to the height you want. Then raise until you hear a safety click and then a second or so after, lower on to the safety. Hope that helps!
@@wayofthewrench Awesome, thanks for the reply and for making this video as well. Just started at a dealership with no prior experience and using the lift is intimidating so it's great to have a guide to go to. Coworkers are helpful but it's not always easy to get answers in a busy shop. Looking forward to checking out your playlist on tires 👍
Make sure you're being safe dude, there should have been a orientation or a demo for the equipment and maybe how they want them to be inspected,etc. Good luck on your new job!
@@wayofthewrench Thanks! It's been fun so far, and will do on being safe. I've been double checking when setting up the car to lift it and just taking my time during that part of it.
How do you lower the car once you remove the engine or transmission if your using the hoist stand to balance the car?
Or is the hoist stand only used to counter balance the weight while removing the engine?
Under hoist stands are supplementary holding devices and are not meant to hold the vehicle. They are only rated for a fraction of the vehicle and are not meant to lift the vehicle. The vehicle should be held securely and stable using the hoist. The under hoist stands are meant to support long bulky things like exhaust pipes, etc or to support the vehicle if a lot of force is being applied to loosen components/hardware. So once engine or transmission is removed from vehicle, remove under hoist stand slightly and I would check if vehicle is tippy before fully removing stands. The vehicle if placed properly on the hoist in the correct lifting points, should be stable. Hope that helps!
If I could add a question to this about the under hoists. Let’s say you are removing front differential, to get to oil pan replacing the gasket, do I position the underhoist on the opposite side of the object being removed or am I using it IN PLACE of the object being removed? I have re-read your answer and it isn’t clicking at the moment. Any information regarding this would be helpful. Thanks again for this very detailed and informative video and thank you for your time.
How closely centered should you be with a symmetrical two post lift? I have a two post floor plate lift and trying to get it centered just perfect is sometimes a pain, especially when I’m by myself which is usual.
Trying to get it centered perfectly without a running vehicle is almost impossible with a floor plate style lift by yourself
You should ideally get it pretty close but I find that if you aren't perfectly centered, it just makes getting the lifting pads hard to reach to the proper lifting points on one side ( too close and arms can't back up, or too far and arms can't extend enough). I find a good way to center the vehicle is by watching how close the side mirrors are to the posts and keeping the distances the same for the left and right. Worst case if your off, just back up and try again. You do get better at it.
"Dost thou even hoist, ser??"
TFW the local DIY space where I can rent a hoist by the hour has an asymetrical hoist that does not have telescopic rear arms ;-;
I dost hoist good Sir.
Oh weird, how are you supposed to adust the position? Sounds scary, be careful!
Remember also and watch your feet while lowering so they wont be smashed by lift arms.
Never thought about that but I guess it technically could be possible if you weren't standing in front of the controls. Thanks for the watch!
Fantastic video, thanks for sharing. I noticed the longer arm has a rectangular rubber pad on top, is this another pad to lift from? I've made the mistake of buying a hoist with arms that don't shorten enough to lift my short wheel based cars and thinking of possibe solutions.
Thanks Nicholas! Ya know I have never even thought about that rubber pad till you mentioned it. I could see how technically you could lift from that pad (it is the same arm, just closer to the pivot) but I wouldn't because I don't think that the telescoping arms are designed to lift from there and you might damage the telescoping motion. Not to mention the rear lifting point would be probably way to close to the front and it would make the vehicle tippy from front to back. I would think that thin rubber pad is just a grip pad for your feet when you have to get into the vehicle (at low heights and for something like removing the parking brake) so you don't slip on a painted arm. Thanks for the watch!
Thanks for your reply@@wayofthewrench, very good points, I can see how that would be helpful as a grippy step
Have you looked into whether or not the hoist you bought can be installed with a wider stance between the posts so that the arms will be closer for your small wheel base cars? Just a thought...
@@wayofthewrench that's an excellent thought and It would have solved the issue if I considered it before installing !
I didn't even think to look at arm length when buying or installing the hoist, I only realised the issue after installing. Now I have a small section of the slab that was reinforced which has holes and bolts in it.. and not enough room to get away from the drilled and bolted section in my tiny garage.
Thankfully I've managed to find decent lift points under my cars so it's still functional, but it would be nice to use the recommended factory points.
Good video, I have an older Eagle lift. The ones that are certified here in America. Not the China ones.. It doesn't have the arm locks, never came with them. I was thinking about adding the ones that came on the older Rotary lifts. The locks are on the outside of the arms with the links and red release knob. Is it really necessary to have them? The shop I bought it from never used any locks.
How old is your hoist? I don't think I've ever seen a hoist with your no arm locks. Your talking about the locks to prevent the arms from swinging after they leave the ground right?
@@wayofthewrench yes, it's around 1990 to 2004. Not sure because Eagle made them in Texas at that time and then they were made in China from 2005 to now. The place I bought it from had 5 of the same exact lifts. I think American lift, Grand lift, Western lift and possibly Worth were all made by the same manufacturers? Those are the lifts that I found that had the same spin up rubber pads. And I changed the slide blocks with Forward lift blocks that were an exact match. It said older eagle lift blocks also. I know it's old, but this lift is build strong and has a big base plate.
Well if it's that old you probably won't find anything that will fit or be a direct replacement.....they are gonna wanna sell you a new hoist. I hear ya about the older lifts being built stronger and used thicker metal but I would really check it over for stress cracking or bending. Good luck!
@@wayofthewrench I did, I sanded it and wire wheeled all the welds, repainted. It didn't even have the top cross bar safety cut off. I built my own with a limit switch. Came out great. I am a retired mechanical, electrical Engineer. I built many huge vessel mezzanines. Thanks for your replies.
That's awesome, sounds like it'll be safe then. You might be able to adapt/fabricate something from another hoist the get the arms to lock when off the floor. I'm a Tool & Die Machinist by trade....its good to be able make stuff! Cheers!
Is it OK to lift with say 26s on...or will bigger wheels need to be taken off 1st
No you should be good, it's still the same lift points. You might have more suspension sag though. What are the 26s on?
@@wayofthewrench 96 caprice
2 door hardtop? Ex cop car?
@@wayofthewrench 4 door 96 ls
good video but a lil to harsh on the safety latches
Harsh on the safety latches? Whatcha mean?
Nice video, except that jack points and lift points are very different and was a total waste of money buying the ALI lifting points guide.
Thanks! Yeah every vehicle is slightly different but that's exactly why the ALI lift guide is useful. Not sure why you think it isn't....plus it's only $20. Thanks for the watch.
car makers should mark where the centre of mass is so you can be shure you put the car on good and not all weight to one side
Ya know if they marked the center of mass, someone would place they're lifting pad or jack there....its just how people are. They should mark the actual lifting points though. Some do but sometimes they don't which can cause really dangerous situations for people who don't know better. Cheers!
Going down lol , as if someone is going to run under your hoist , I understand the safety sally stuff , but seriously no one does this .
If you run a shop with a lot of service techs/personnel or in my case, a shop with 26 students.....you do. I had a near miss two weeks ago where a student was lowering a 4 post hoist and just about pinched a student's foot as they were next to the hoist as it was going down. So it can happen which is why I teach the safest way to operate the hoists. Hope you get it. Thanks for the watch!
Few hours of work for sure just lifting the car. hahaha
It doesn't take long to lift the vehicle but it sure helps the body to work standing up. Thanks for the watch!
Great Video
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully I earned your subscription today. Thanks for the watch and welcome to the channel!
Good video but showing a safety video with pads with out the rubber pad on is bad 🤣
We position our pads with the notches positioned so the rocker panel lip is in between the ridges which will not allow the vehicle to shift past or fall off the pad. The rubber pad prevents damage to the paint/rocker panel lips/frame but in some cases, the hard smooth polyurethane pads do not have any edges/lips or cover up those lips. We get this lift inspected yearly and it passes without the pad covers. So could it be safer, perhaps, but this isn't necessary dangerous. Thanks for your suggestion Peter and for the watch!
Lifting pads with no rubber pads dangerous
Metal on metal slipping risk
Should have rubber pads on them
If that was in the uk it would fail inspection
Responded to other comment.
Lifts without pads were around long before and it was never a problem. I've worked on many hydraulic in-ground and electric above ground lifts along with some of the first Bend Pak units the dealerships had and it was all metal-to-metal contact. If the arms are positioned properly and the balance is correct there is no issue.
Thank you!
You're welcome!