Watch Before Buying and Installing a Car Lift

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In this video I'll explain how a car lift works, how a symmetrical and an asymmetrical lifts differ and which one you should purchase, what are the components like the lift head, equilization cables, over head safety switch, power unit, locking latches and how they work. Plus a guide on how to install a 2 post lift and what are some important specifications like first locking position, max raise height and other specs you need to look out for.
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Ratchets and Wrenches, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. Ratchets and Wrenches assumes no liability for any property or personal damage that may arise from doing a repair on your vehicle after watching any of my repair video's. Due to factors beyond the control of Ratchets and Wrenches, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Again Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Ratchets and Wrenches.

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Опубликовано:

13 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 243

@mayflowerlash11 Год назад

Great video. The fact that you were critical of specific design features shows that you were not beholden to the manufacture. You clearly paid the full price for the lift. This is gold for the prospecting lift buyer. Thanks

@myRatchets Год назад

oh yes paid full price on this :)

@badgermetal Год назад

Certified structual welder here. The distortion on the bottom plate is normal. When you weld a plate to a beam the weld cools and pulls the edges up because the weld shrinks the material on top around the heated area. The hotter the weld the more distortion. You can try to control how much is moves around with preheat and pre bending the plate in the opposite direction but all steel will move enough that we had to shim nearly every beam we installed. One way to fix this is to machine the plate after its welded but that costs too much.

@billrimmer5596 Год назад

I have two older Bend Pacs. They look more heavy duty. U don’t need the safety’s close to the ground, so u can put the car at whatever level is good for your back. Once the safety clicks, even if u had a rupture of hydraulic pressure, it would only drop a few inches before the safety would would halt downward motion. I have been using them about 12 years. I have had to reseal two of the rams. Very happy with them. I often back lighters cars on the asymmetric lifts. No problems.

@myRatchets Год назад

good info thanks

@joecorrie1 Год назад

My bend pak is over 20 years old and still doing good, I’ve just set it up in another shop, just a diy mechanic now semi retired, it has done me well.

@rayp.454 Год назад

Nice tutorial. You didn't leave out anything. I have a #10,000 Rotary, and I found the same issue with the low working height. I cut two 4 x 4's to act as locks (around 8" each) for the ground level height. The blocks support the weldment that holds the arms. Totally safe and convenient. Be sure your BendPak will work this way first. I love your new shop. Thanks for all the great videos!

@murraymadness4674 Год назад

Was going to suggest the same thing.

@badgermetal Год назад

For the anchors you should vacuum out or blow air into the hole and get all the dust out. That way the bolts will hold the load that they are rated for. On jobs doing structural steel we could fail inspection if the holes weren't clean before the anchor is installed. Another tip, mark your drill bit with tape so you know how deep to go.

@dalebabbitt6185 9 месяцев назад

Also brush out the holes with an appropriate size bottle brush to mechanically clean the bore of loose material. The epoxy needs solid concrete, not dust to adhere properly.

@jackgray1402 Год назад

Your shop looks great! So glad that you have a car lift now. I'm wanting to achieve the same for a personal shop in the future. Thank you for the informative video and keep up the great work.

@davedeatherage4902 Год назад

Thanks! Another milestone in you're endeavors forward sir; I appreciate all the info on this lift, I'll be waiting to view the new parts washer, and further work on the prelude. 👍🏻 ( Shop is looking excellent 👍🏻)

@myRatchets Год назад

Thank you, stay tuned :)

@DrFiero Год назад

I have the exact same one at home. I set it up by myself as well. Stood the posts up with my A-frame gantry - easy once I figured out the center of gravity on them, and moved about 6" "up" to put the sling. Moving them around was also pretty easy if you've ever moved a barrel. I've had mine up and running about 4 years now. Gotta be one of THE best purchases I've ever made.

@DrFiero Год назад

If anyone else is thinking of getting one - of course you don't have this issue!! - Check the height of your ceiling. A normal 12ft one will not work! For some insane reason, they made it so you NEED (!!!!!) 12ft 1.5" of height. I virtually built my shop around this hoist (I bought the hoist about 6 months in advance as I heard a price increase was coming soon), so made damn sure that they put one extra 2*4 all the way around the top plate to get me the extra clearance needed. And boy - they're not kidding! Look at the top, you'll see a notch cut out. As you stand up the posts (they of course go up in an arc), that notch lets you do it. There is then about 3/8" clearance to your ceiling. If you had an unfinished ceiling, and the rafters went the right way I guess you'd be OK. But still... whoa tight!

@myRatchets Год назад

thanks for sharing.

@giovannigiorgio8962 Год назад

Nice

@johnz8210 Год назад

That was great. I have friends who had a repair shop and bought those lifts. I'm around your height, and hated them. Had to duck constantly due to the lack of lift height. And you're right about the low lift height with the locks - it would be so nice if they locked a foot off the ground.

@chrisfreemesser5707 Год назад

You win the Man of the Day award for raising those two posts all by yourself, lol! Was thinking about the situation with the lock cable and the electrical cable...maybe a couple of nylon rollers could be used to hold the lock cable back a bit without causing wear or drag on the cable? As for the first stop being too high to work in the engine compartment, you could always just use a low step stool to get yourself an extra foot off the ground.

@myRatchets Год назад

step stool is always an option but won't beat walking around the car :)

@chriscorkill861 Год назад

I would look for the ALI sticker on any lift I would consider . They torcher test every model that has the sticker and if they don’t pass that model doesn’t get the sticker. Anchors are torqued to 150 foot pounds and should be retorqued annually to 85-90 pounds . Always work with load resting on locks and don’t walk away with out lowering to locks.

@facebook2k7 Год назад

What a beautiful shop. You are an absolute beast sir! Hats off to you and thanks for all the good information.

@timekeeper5275 Год назад

Perfect tutorial. Very detailed. Love the commentary! 👏

@hattrick-df4bo Год назад

Some excellent information and critiques on the Bend pack install! Well done!! Be safe! 👍👍👍

@myRatchets Год назад

Thanks, will do!

@greggo502 4 месяца назад

You were not alone with the bottom plate not being level. I saw another youtube video where the user had the same problem. When I was looking for a lift I spent the after noon visting the local shops in my area just to see what lift they were using. Rotary was by far the most used followed by forward,then challenger. I ened up getting a sweet deal on a mowhawk 9k lift that was like brand new for 3K. I intend to install it next week. Thanks for taking the time to make yours!

@mikerayle6103 Год назад

A design flaw yes but I'd fasten a piece of Delrin in 2 or 3 places which would self lubricate and never cause an issue for locking cable. Thank you for pointing it out though. I'm in the midst of trying to choose a good 2 post symmetrical lift and want safe reliable operation

@alaindouge5499 Год назад

Thanks for the video, I am glad you did not injure yourself lifting the posts

@chesapeakemotorwerks Год назад

Nice video! I also have the BendPak asymmetrical lift and I back vehicles onto mine. I mostly work on BMWs which are around 50/50 weight distribution so I figure it doesn't matter. 6 years later and it's been fine.

@gumbygreen9772 7 месяцев назад

Wow, lifted by yourself! Great video, very detailed information!

@JackdeDuCoeur Год назад

Excellent tutorial! Funny how your Jag was within crashing range as you lifted the posts! Nice work. Thanks

@myRatchets Год назад

yea I moved the RS6 out of the way though :)

@wyattoneable Год назад

Now that you have a lift, you're going to wonder how you got along without one. Congratulations!

@myRatchets Год назад

Yes! Thank you!

@grahammj1yt Год назад

Thank you for the video. Great info!

@DanUren-yu4qv 4 месяца назад

Man you made an excellent tutorial here! I'm a millwright and could easily install my new lift following your directions. I too am in the process of researching different lifts for my new home garage. I'm in Canada so the prices are a little higher due to the exchange rate.

@76Starship Год назад

Great vid for guys getting a new lift.

@jackrein293 Год назад

Another great video as always. I've owned my BendPak for about 5 years. They have performed well. Although I like the lift, I do agree with your "cons".

@frankallen6459 Год назад

You can still work on a sedan engine at 16 inches, just don't get under it. Or slide some jack stands under it for safety.

@joel.3112 Год назад

That's what I do, I don't use any jack stands either never once had a problem, The only time I care about the locks is when under it of course also I'll use a tri post under the rear end sometimes if needed.

@1BCamden Год назад

Great episode, really loved the detail

@myRatchets Год назад

Glad you enjoyed it

@manuelsalvatierra2940 Год назад

We have the bendpak mid rise floor lift. Have been working great the last several years. Good for what we use it for. Not for under the car kinda work

@myRatchets Год назад

Thanks for sharing!

@mhughes1160 Год назад

I understand safety is very important , however if you are only raising the car 12” off the ground to make it more comfortable to work on the engine I would view the safety lock issue as a very minor inconvenience . Thanks for sharing

@chuckhoyle1211 Год назад

I would just use jack stands for that low of a height. I would LOVE to have a lift like this or access to one. I only work on my family's vehicles so I can't justify the cost in my head for something like this.

@davidgroskopf7898 Год назад

I recently purchased a 10,000 pound “A plus lift” pick mine up with my two wheel 12 foot trailer Unloaded it off the trailer by myself using come along to snub it and rolled it off on a 8” round fence post cut in 4 (2 ft each ) rolls around nice in one peace.

@MrMitko-hc2sb Год назад

Nice work!

@DannerPlace 9 месяцев назад

I've had a BendPak 10k symmetrical lift for about 10 years. What a great investment, I paid $3300, installed, and it has paid for itself several times over on reduced maintenance costs. If you have a place to install one, get one.

@Nickrioblanco1 Год назад

A lot more complicated than I would have imagined. Great advice (and warnings) about lifts. Too bad you could not wait for the other lift brands. I would put jackstands under the vehicle at 12 inches high or just stay out from below everything when working at that height. Thank you for a great video.

@myRatchets Год назад

np thanks for watching.

@CoralPolyps Год назад

A few weeks vs 6 months? Yeah, I don't blame ya for "settling" for this lift. At least it gets the job done!

@myRatchets Год назад

yea no way I can wait that long after spending so much time and energy building the shop.

@todd5082 Год назад

The directions that came with the car lift said “…assembly takes 15 min.”

@myRatchets Год назад

hah something like that.

@todd5082 Год назад

@@myRatchets nice job by the the way on the video. A bunch of us helped a friend unload his new 4-post lift out of a trailer. Unbelievably heavy long ramps.

@mikeceli Год назад

Great video! However, one does not "Level the posts , both ways". It seems many have not been taught ""Level" and "Plumb". Horizontal (parallel to the plane of the horizon, at right angles to the vertical) is "Level" . Vertical (straight up and down, at right angle to the vertical) is called "Plumb".

@iSparkFU Год назад

wow. Didn't know the wait time was so long for the challenger and rotary's. :-\ Nice video!

@myRatchets Год назад

yea it was a bummer to find out.

@hardrawkin Год назад

The pads at the bottom are not flat because of distortion caused when they and the gussets were welded to the post. This situation is unavoidable and has nothing to do with the strength of the steel. Use of shims is common practice in this situation. Great video by the way. Hope you get lots of use out of it.

@giovannigiorgio8962 Год назад

That's NO excuse. Shotty welders.

@garyangelstad5212 Год назад

Congrats on your new shop. I'm jealous

@myRatchets Год назад

thank you :)

@billsimmons7754 Год назад

Another possible fix, simpler than the roller (which is the ultimate fix) would be to invert the romex clamp. A little more difficult to install but doable. The wiring could then be held to the side in the same manner as you are currently redirecting the cable.

@flowerchild777 Год назад

Beautiful 👍👍👍👍 So very thorough, as usual. I know third best is disappointing, but you can make it work if anyone can, and something is better than nothing, eh?

@myRatchets Год назад

very true, plus I can always get another lift :)

@BadBellyBlues Год назад

AWESOME! thanks for the info!

@stephaniewomacks8827 Год назад

Love the shop!

@myRatchets Год назад

Thank you!

@speedy_pit_stop Год назад

Good explanations.. though I would've liked to hear more about the anchor bolts and the cement requirements to mount these poles.

@JonnyDIY Год назад

Finally! No more laying on your back for money! 😉🤣 You're a beast for lifting those by yourself 💪💪, wish I lived lil closer would have helped you. Not too far, I'm up on the Central Coast. Can always build some cribbing blocks to slide under the car or wheels on low heights 🤙

@pfsantos007 Год назад

A generally good video, but a few comments if I may: 1. Any video on the subject should always include a warning on making sure your concrete pad has the correct mix (strength rating) and thickness. Your anchors also have to have a minimum embedment. 2. I would not comment on materials unless I can back it up with evidence. Keep it down to facts. 3. The safety release cable does indeed run too close to the cable. Good catch.

@guzzijack9714 Год назад

Yeah, I was wondering as well about concrete thickness and strength.

@JonnyDIY Год назад

He talks about concrete thickness and psi pertaining to lift requirements in the shop build video 👍

@iamthemoss 10 месяцев назад

Great job! You're an animal lifting those posts!

@Bangkok-ik1fp Год назад

Great job, congratulations!

@myRatchets Год назад

Thank you!

@fredflintstone8048 Год назад

Good presentation. Regarding the first stop on the lift being to high in order to get the vehicle up to a working height I would have no problem working on the car with it resting on the hydralics, or for some additional safety, putting a jack stand or two under the lift arm supports for safety and or to take the load off the hydraulics. My thinking that even having a lower click stop support on the lift would not be the perfect height for your size and the variations in cars anyway, so it's something you would probably need to fine tune. Jack stand or two, or cut some thick timbers the correct dimension to suit your comfort.

@myRatchets Год назад

there are work arounds but non as good as a lower first stop :)

@fredflintstone8048 Год назад

@@myRatchets Sure, but since the distance between the frame / rocker boxes and the level of the where the engine actrually sits and fender height varies between cars so much, I would say there is no one ideal first top level. As such the jack stands or custom cut wood blocks might be the preferred choice anyway. In any case I think it's trivial and easy to work with. Of course if your moving the vehicle up and down from the floor a lot, it's more of a hassle. If you're moving between a high and low position a lot, then the blocks, or jackstands will be a potential trip hazard.

@bradleytaylor8267 9 месяцев назад

You are the man!!!!

@kitty13kitty Год назад

Check if the equalization cable would stop the lift from lowering unevenly during a failed lock release.

@TheRebuilt1 Год назад

congrats sire and Rotary for the win

@peteryeung111 Год назад

I see a prelude on the background, those cars are making a comeback.

@GenesCustoms. Год назад

Very nice! That lift is going to be great for you. It's like "wow I have a lift!"

@myRatchets Год назад

It sure is :)

@stanwooddave9758 Год назад

I don't know if anyone else mentioned in the comments, but the reason why your bottom mounting plates need the shim's, is because guess what, when you weld steel it tends to curl / move / not stay flat, unless the factory uses what is called a "strong-Backs," to aid in keeping the steel / flat / straight. That cost the manufacturer time & money.

@coreybabcock2023 Год назад

Your smart ASF about this stuff

@douglasthompson2740 Год назад

Get one of those "upright crawlers" that look like a two step ladder made for working over the hood of the bigger pickups and one tons. This supports your upper body out over the engine and eliminates back strain. Spending all day bent over is a prescription for back problems if you don't already have them! Normally you would use the spacers to set the base but before ever using it that gap would be grouted in with a high strength grout.

@travisthompson3700 Год назад

Great job 👍

@myRatchets Год назад

Thank you! Cheers!

@danielmoore8538 Год назад

Excellent video thanks

@myRatchets Год назад

np, thanks for watching.

@gillamb8669 Год назад

Looks perfect 👍🤘

@myRatchets Год назад

Thanks 👍

@nickayivor8432 Год назад

Wow amazing person My teacher KNOWLEDGEABLE Ratchets and Wrenches Well done 👏 ✔️ 👍 👌 Thank you for sharing it Take care and have a great Weekend with all your family around you KNOWLEDGEABLE Ratchets and Wrenches From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧

@myRatchets Год назад

Thank you Nick.

@troyblackburn4522 10 месяцев назад

Great video! You covered a lot of great information! Especially appreciate that you discussed the advantages/disadvantages of symmetrical vs asymmetrical two post lifts. I would however suggest limiting your comments (speculation) regarding the strength of the steel without factually knowing the grade of steel for the products you are discussing. Since your steel strength comments are obviously based on speculation and not based actually specifications, you risk putting out bad information which your viewers may mistake as factual information.

@florascent9ts Год назад

Great video daddie

@myRatchets Год назад

oh not another one :)

@titolongo1 Год назад

Thank you 👌

@kmonnier Год назад

Good morning sir

@myRatchets Год назад

gm to you as well :)

@johnwagner8465 7 месяцев назад

Wow..great video..i believe i have the same lift..oh..i hope you didnt get injured...thanks again

@johnlockesghost5592 Год назад

Having made my living under a lift for 30 years, my experience is there is no comparison between the quality of a Bend Pak and a Challenger. The Challenger is garbage. The bore in the arms where they pivot on the pins wear out and elongate after only a couple years of commercial use. Rotary lifts used to be the paragon of quality but they are now built to a price point so if you want that Rotary quality you have to buy their top tier (most expensive) to get it. My experience with Bend Pak is that they just keep working.

@johnyaceyko9775 2 месяца назад

Best fix! Route the power cable outside/under.

@matt_b... Год назад

This seems like a dream come true. Even the part where you wrestle the posts into place. It is 4 days later, how's that back feel buddy?!? :)

@myRatchets Год назад

its a bit sore but I should be alright :)

@kwaichangcaine8234 Год назад

Love the shop .

@myRatchets Год назад

thanks

@michaelbrinks8089 Год назад

I'm too old, broke & sick to ever afford a lift like that & despite being jealous, I watched & gave you thumbs up anyway.

@myRatchets Год назад

Haha thank you, hey you can just sit back and watch me do the work 🙂

@donyuke9459 Год назад

Thank-You sir for taking the time to make an excellent video gave me hope that I can erect my post by myself also.

@GIZZMOTORSPORTS Год назад

Bendpak is the best at advertising. That’s the only positive comment i can come up with.

@johnhanselman6371 Год назад

He is an Iranian wrestler. No wonder why he is tough and hardworking.

@myRatchets Год назад

@damirkrajacic6623 2 месяца назад

God bless you!

@garyangelstad5212 Год назад

Test the levels you buy in the store for trueness before you buy. I've found many levels aren't true, especially the plastic ones, but fancy aluminum levels can be out

@myRatchets Год назад

Thats funny, I had to through out a broken aluminum one that was giving me false results on these posts.

@garyangelstad5212 Год назад

@@myRatchets got tired of setting showers thinking the tools were fine. Couldn't figure out why I had such a hard time. The garbage tool manufacturers try to pass of as quality is getting bad. I always test them in the store. Like the drywall t squares that are3/8" out in 4 ft. F@*#^!ng crap

@desertrider325 Год назад

Oblong the hole and just move the back. So it clears the cable. Than you don’t need a roller or those temporary C clamp things.

@NikMitchell Год назад

ooo ooo RnW, i REALLY appreciated the explanation on why you got what you got - why not a 4-poster? I've been eyeing a Wildfire lift for all the fun stuff they throw on them. Same issue with delivery, etc?

@duanecjohnson Год назад

I really like my Wildfire 4 post. Especially because I can move it around. OK, it's a job but it does move!!!! redrok

@aftershock2222 Год назад

What length anchor bolts and and how deep did you sink them? Thanks

@SillyPutty3700 Год назад

The steel is not likely softer. When the steel is welded it warps as it cools. It will pull from different points as it cools depending on the edge distance from the welds. While is is possible to weld something slowly and allow for some movement it is very unlikely that it is perfectly square. The issue is that your floor while overall may be level it is not very likely to be really flat. I would not be at all surprised if you had undulations up to a 1/4" in your slab.

@giovannigiorgio8962 Год назад

Yes milder steel no good

@markrice3019 Год назад

😀 Most Excellent 😃

@myRatchets Год назад

thanks :)

@myshots101 Год назад

Good info, specially on that starting height and the top cable. Things others never cover. Just one question, why not go for a four post lift? I can't remember if you're also in California but with the earthquakes these type sure scare me.

@myRatchets Год назад

yea there is always that risk, usually you feel it coming so you have enough time to get away. 4 post just takes up too much space and not as easy to work around imo

@rubenske091 Год назад

MVP 🙌

@myRatchets Год назад

haha thanks

@jimmy45rebates Год назад

Thanks for great detail info of the Benpak Lift installation. Quick question ? how much concrete area ( cubic inch , WxLxD ) do you need for anchoring the posts. any need of concert rebar?

@myRatchets Год назад

you need rebar and the minimum concrete thickness should be 4.75" and 3500psi according to bendpak but I would go 6"-8" deep in the areas where you will be putting the lift if you are doing a pour. as far as WxLxD that will depend on whether you are just doing a pour for the two posts alone or its part of a larger pad, if its part of a larger pad I would say the areas around the posts 2' out should be good, but I don't know the answer if you are doing it just for the posts. I personally wouldn't pour concrete just for two posts. I would pour concrete for the entire garage/shed etc. GL

@chriscorkill861 Год назад

And you should stay 8” from any saw cut or cracks in the concrete

@wackowacko8931 Год назад

You can get screen door rollers (they have a U shape in the center of the wheel) in various configurations at the local box store. You could also put a micro switch on the lever handle that activates when you pull the lever, then wire a solenoid to activate on the opposite side to pull the lock when you pull the lever. A suggestion - mark on the floor with a magic marker where the front tire lines up to make the car centered side to side and also front to back. I use a "T" on the drivers front laid on it's side (-l) to mark where the front tire lines up. The "l" part I use to make the front tire line up right next to (parallel), and the "-" I use to tell where the center of the tire should stop (perpendicular). I do this for the vehicles I put up on the lift most often. Using a center line or a ball on a string can produce inconsistent results (like when the vehicle is skewed at an angle). This "-l" method works most consistently for me, I just poke my head out of the drivers side window and drive right in, all lined up. If you are worried about having a mark on the floor, use lacquer thinner to remove it (bare concrete) or just wipe it off on epoxy coated floors.

@myRatchets Год назад

good info thanks.

@buildingsalvage Год назад

Was just looking at lifts today, tough decisions cause I have 1 ton trucks and a bmw

@ahmadghosheh3104 Год назад

Congratulations

@r8er4everd Год назад

It would be good if you showed how to properly adjust the equalizing cable.

@billsimmons7754 Год назад

If the base plate is not flat It is highly unlikely that it was bent in the shipping brackets. The shipping brackets are much weaker than the bases. Any out of flatness is most likely warpage from the welding of the column to the base plate. Most concrete may appear level with a long level but can have small humps that can cause the base plates to appear to be not flat. A grinder can remove these high spots allowing the column to sit on the floor better. Of course your floor was probably ground prior to the installation of the epoxy finish. If two lifts weigh the same then their thickness will be the same. All common steel regardless of alloy (unless stainless) and hardness are virtually the same density. I am a bit concerned by the amount of the concrete anchor bolts threads that are protruding from the nuts in this installation. In a proper installation there should be about 3 threads protruding beyond the nut. When sinking the anchors, I always back the nut off a few threads to allow the anchor to be driven deeper because it will always withdraw some when tightened. I am impressed by your ability to raise the columns by yourself.