The Ultimate Guide to Installing a 2-Post Car Lift for Your Shop or Garage

A Automotive Lift Repair Florida 2-post vehicle lift is an invaluable asset for any home garage or repair shop, making automotive repair tasks easier and safer. While many repair shops are equipped with one, installing a lift yourself is a different story. It’s advisable to enlist professional help for the installation, even though it might add to the cost.

 Important Considerations for Installing a Automotive Lift Repair Florida 2-Post Car Lift

1. Prioritize Safety: Always wear appropriate protective gear and clothing. Use assistance for lifting heavy objects to avoid injury.

2. Use the Right Tools: Follow the instructions in the manual for your lift and use the specified tools.

3. Concrete Requirements: Ensure your floor’s concrete is at least 6 to 12 inches deep with a minimum PSI of 3000. If not, you’ll need to dig holes and pour additional concrete to meet these specifications.

4. Handling the Lift: Arrange for a forklift to offload the lift from the truck. Coordinate with the delivery service to ensure the forklift is ready when the lift arrives. If a forklift isn’t available, consider having the lift delivered to a nearby freight terminal.

5. Unpacking: Carefully remove shipping bands and packing materials, ensuring you don’t accidentally drop the power unit.

 Installing the Automotive Lift Repair Florida Lift – A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Tools and Materials Needed:

   – Two 10’ to 12’ step ladders

   – ISO 32 Light Hydraulic Oil (approx. 12 quarts)

   – Tape Measure

   – 4’ Level

   – Socket and Wrench Set (½ in. to 1-1/2 in., 1-1/8 in. for ¾ in. Anchors)

   – Vise Grips

   – 8mm Socket Head Wrench

   – Torque Wrench

   – Teflon Tape

2. Pre-Installation:

   – Inspect and prepare the concrete. If needed, dig holes measuring 2 feet by 2 feet and 1 foot deep for column placement, then pour concrete.

   – Plan the lift placement, ensuring it is about 13 feet away from the bay door to accommodate vehicle entry and exit.

3. Column Placement:

   – Use a chalk line to guide column placement. Position the columns according to whether you have a Symmetrical or Asymmetrical lift model. Refer to the specific manual for guidance.

4. Drilling and Securing Columns:

   – Drill holes using a hammer drill, ensuring they are deep enough. Place anchor bolts and use a level to ensure columns are upright. Tighten bolts to 85 ft-lbs. of torque.

5. Top Trough Assembly:

   – Install the Automotive Lift Repair Florida top bar using a forklift or ladders with assistance. Secure the bar and recheck anchor bolts for tightness.

6. Hydraulic Unit Installation:

   – Install the hydraulic power unit with vibration dampeners. Fill the unit with approximately four gallons of hydraulic oil.

7. Cables, Lines, and Hoses:

   – Install safety cables, hydraulic lines, and power unit hoses according to the specific manual. Ensure all connections are correct to avoid rework.

8. Lift Arms Installation:

   – Place the lift arms and secure them with headpins and snap rings. Adjust the gear ring and check for smooth operation. Ensure proper alignment and functionality before use.

By following these guidelines, you should be able to successfully install your 2-post car lift and enjoy its benefits for years to come.

 Step-by-Step Installation Guide for Your 2-Post Car Lift

Step 1: Initial Concrete Assessment

Before purchasing your lift, drill a small test hole a few feet from the intended installation site to check the concrete thickness. Refer to your lift’s manual for the required minimum thickness. Mark the depth on your masonry bit with tape (typically 4 inches, but up to 6 inches or more for larger lifts). Drill into the concrete, ensuring you don’t fully penetrate the slab before reaching your marker tape. If the slab meets the required thickness, you can proceed. However, verify the concrete’s strength rating and reinforcement type, which are often unknown to users. If you lack this information, it’s safer to avoid lifting heavy vehicles like large SUVs or diesel trucks. If you’re confident in the concrete’s strength or willing to accept the risks, you may continue with the installation.

Step 2: Planning the Automotive Lift Repair Florida Lift Placement

Once you confirm the concrete’s adequacy, decide the exact placement of your lift. For vehicles up to 22 feet long, position the lift at least 11 feet from both the front and rear walls. Ideally, place the lift 16 feet from the wall to allow 11 feet for the vehicle and an additional 5 feet for workspace.

Step 3: Unpacking the Lift

After purchasing and moving the lift to the installation area, unpack it carefully. Remove all packaging and separate components like the arms, overhead bar, power unit, truck adapters, lift feet/pads, and hardware kit from the main towers. To support the towers while unbolting, use an engine hoist. This step is physically demanding, so having a friend assist is recommended.

Step 4: Positioning the Towers

With the lift’s location set and the concrete checked, use a chalk line to align the towers. Stand the towers up with the help of two people. If your lift has separate column extensions, bolt these in place while the towers are still on the ground. For this installation, the towers are one piece, so no additional extensions are needed.

Step 5: Spacing the Towers

Align the Automotive Lift Repair Florida towers according to your manual. For example, TP9KACX towers should be spaced 138 inches from the outside of the base plates.

Step 6: Drilling for Anchors

Using a masonry bit and hammer drill, drill the first hole through a base plate hole until you reach the dirt. Clear any dust and debris from the hole using an air blower or shop vac. Do not drill the second hole yet.

Step 7: Optional Adhesive Application

For added security, use Automotive Lift Repair Florida adhesive on the concrete anchors. Apply the adhesive to the anchor’s expanding end just before insertion. Install the washer, lock washer, and nut on the anchor, leaving the nut flush with the end to prevent deformation. Spread mixed epoxy on the anchor, then hammer it into the hole. Tighten the anchor with a wrench while the adhesive is still wet to ensure proper expansion. After securing the first anchor, repeat the process for the second anchor, then proceed with the remaining anchors.