Does anyone own a full-sized lift? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

strelnik · #1 09-09-2010, 04:27 PM

I may be getting some spare cash in December, possibly enough to buy a full-size four post lift.

I favor these because there's less chance of accident since the posts define the balance area and the vehicle sits on full-length ramps.

Granted, brake work requires an additional jack but the car is stable wherever it is.

Opinions on brand and voltage-- I can rig up either 110 or 220 single phase.

Thanks

panZZer · #2 09-09-2010, 05:22 PM

Alabassi does. But he has Mercedes Madness so much that I think its as much for having more storage than so much getting the heap up to do a floorboard R&R job.

alabbasi · #3 09-09-2010, 11:43 PM

I bought a used Rotary two post lift for cheap but then had to get the cylinders resealed and a new power unit. So in the end, it cost me about the same as it would to buy a new Eagle two post lift.

I would recommend a two post lift over a four post unless your planning do do transmission work, or just use it for storage as they offer much more flexibility.

A new one costs about $1500 from Eagle and come with a warranty. They're not professional grade but the chances are that they will go up and down a few times per month rather then 20-30 times day so you don't have to worry about that.

It took me and another guy, armed with an engine hoist, socket set, hammer drill and a six pack about 4 hours to install it. It could have been done quicker, but I had to be careful as the shop was packed full of cars.

Chas H · #4 09-10-2010, 01:11 AM

I've got a Benwil 2 post lift I bought used off e-bay. I suggest a 2 post lift unless your floor is not of sufficient thickness or strength to accomadate one.

strelnik · #5 09-10-2010, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chas H

I've got a Benwil 2 post lift I bought used off e-bay. I suggest a 2 post lift unless your floor is not of sufficient thickness or strength to accomadate one.

Am curious: is there a reason no one has a four -post lift? Is it cost? Room?

alabbasi · #6 09-10-2010, 08:58 AM

The benefit of having a lift is that you can work on your car while standing and have full range of motion to do things like swinging a hammer. You don't get that with a four post lift. It's only good for storage or jobs such as oil changes and transmission work.

The reason for this is that you have ramps on either side that make it harder to work on suspension and brake jobs.

There are jacks that you can use so that you can pull the wheels off on a 4 post lift, but you still have to work around the ramps which get in the way.

mytimeyet · #7 09-10-2010, 10:44 AM

You can find a lot of discussion on lifts on this site:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/index.php
Have fun!

TheDon · #8 09-10-2010, 12:55 PM

how about a portable 2 post lift?

http://www.maxjaxusa.com/

Leno has one and uses it

A member on the delorean forum bought one and loves it.

mpolli · #9 09-10-2010, 01:55 PM

Just finished installing a used Western 2-post lift. Tried it once so far and the car went right up... I am running it on standard 120AC one phase. I would have bought a new one but I couldn't figure out how I would unload it...

MTI · #10 09-10-2010, 02:06 PM

About the only advantage I can discern for the 4 post lifts if if you need more parking space.

Billybob · #11 09-10-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTI

About the only advantage I can discern for the 4 post lifts if if you need more parking space.

How is it an advantage if a two post lift can accomplish the same thing. A vehicle can be stored lifted and another vehicle parked underneath with a two post lift just as with a four post!

alabbasi · #12 09-10-2010, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billybob

How is it an advantage if a two post lift can accomplish the same thing. A vehicle can be stored lifted and another vehicle parked underneath with a two post lift just as with a four post!

Some cars (like the 6.3) don't do very well with the wheels hanging for an extended period or time. It's not good for the rubber bellows.