Ensuring your car lift is perfectly level is crucial for safety and proper operation.
Understanding Car Lift Leveling
A level car lift guarantees that the vehicle is lifted evenly and remains stable during maintenance or repair work. While different lift types may have specific leveling procedures, the general principle involves adjusting the lift's base or columns to ensure the lifting points (pads or runways) are at the same height.
Why Leveling is Important
- Safety: Prevents uneven weight distribution and potential instability.
- Operation: Ensures synchronized lifting and lowering mechanisms function correctly.
- Longevity: Reduces stress on lift components caused by misalignment.
Steps to Level a Car Lift (Based on Reference)
The following steps outline a common method for leveling a two-post car lift, often involving adjustments to the anchor points and shimming.
Based on the provided reference, here's a method focusing on adjusting the columns:
- Loosen the anchors on both columns. This allows the columns some slight movement for adjustment.
- Push the LEFT column INWARD slightly to LOWER the LEFT pads half the difference. If the left side is too high, moving the column inward can help lower that pad relative to the other side.
- Push the RIGHT column OUTWARD slightly to ELEVATE the RIGHT pads half the difference. Conversely, if the right side is too low, moving the column outward can help raise that pad relative to the other side. The goal is to correct half the difference from each side to meet in the middle.
- Shim as required until you get the pads level with one another. After making initial column adjustments, use steel shims under the base plate of the columns to make fine-tune corrections and ensure the bases are fully supported and the pads are perfectly level.
Table: Leveling Adjustments
| Side | Adjustment Action | Effect on Pads | Reason (Based on Reference) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Left | Push INWARD | LOWER Pads | Correcting a high side |
| Right | Push OUTWARD | ELEVATE Pads | Correcting a low side |
Note: These adjustments are subtle movements to compensate for minor differences. Significant leveling issues often require shimming first.
Practical Tips for Leveling
- Use a Reliable Level: A high-quality digital level or a long spirit level is essential for accurate measurement across the lifting pads or runways.
- Measure Across Multiple Points: Check levelness not just from column to column but also diagonally and along the length of runways (if applicable).
- Shim Correctly: Use solid steel shims that cover the bolt holes. Shims should be placed under the base plate where needed to fill gaps between the floor and the base plate. Never stack many thin shims.
- Re-Check After Anchoring: Once adjustments are made and shims are in place, tighten the anchor bolts to the manufacturer's specifications. Always re-check the levelness after anchoring, as tightening can sometimes cause slight shifts.
- Consult Manual: Always refer to your specific car lift's installation and operation manual for model-specific leveling instructions and torque specifications for anchor bolts.
Proper leveling ensures your lift operates safely and effectively for years to come.
