Garage lifts and doing damage to suspension

[spork2367]

Originally Posted by Z51JEFF

Personally I wouldn’t own a 2 post lift,4 post or nothing.

If all you're doing is storage and fluid changes I would agree. The first time you are dropping the entire suspension, transmission, rear end, exhaust...etc. A four post takes almost twice the time.

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Four post lift is the only choice for storage.
I too have one of the last Autolifters lifts, simply the best.
My Backyard Buddy not quite as good but still great!
Marty

[A26B]

Originally Posted by spork2367

If all you're doing is storage and fluid changes I would agree. The first time you are dropping the entire suspension, transmission, rear end, exhaust...etc. A four post takes almost twice the time.

My 4 post works good for transmission r&r & exhaust. I have a lightweight, low profile, aluminum floor jack & some small NAPA jack stands that I use for brake & suspension work too. It's all what you get used to I think.

[spork2367]

Originally Posted by A26B

My 4 post works good for transmission r&r & exhaust. I have a lightweight, low profile, aluminum floor jack & some small NAPA jack stands that I use for brake & suspension work too. It's all what you get used to I think.

I’m sure what you’re used to plays a big part. There is definitely just more in the way with a four post, but once you’re used to it job times are probably pretty equal.

[Ccmano]

What are you guys using to lift a car that’s on the 4 post. Like when you need to remove the wheels. I have two jack trays and don’t really want to buy one of those expensive jack tray bridge jacks the lift companies sell.
H



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[Subfixer]

When I need to get 4 wheels off the ground, I use a Quick Jack, on solid ground, not on my 4 post lift.
I suppose I could use it in conjunction with the 4 post, but as narrow as my garage is, it would be a waste of effort.

[A26B]

Originally Posted by Ccmano

What are you guys using to lift a car that’s on the 4 post. Like when you need to remove the wheels. I have two jack trays and don’t really want to buy one of those expensive jack tray jacks the lift companies sell.
H

I have a lightweight, low profile, aluminum floor jack & some small NAPA jack stands that I use for brake & suspension work too. It's all what you get used to I think.

Maybe I wasn't specific enough above, but I use the jack & small stands on the 4 post runners. Occasionally, I will use a small bottle jack on the bridge & also keep several blocks (2"x6"x abt 8") in the bridge to put under the engine or suspension to protect from jack marring. I don't find this any more cumbersome to work around than those screw jack stands used with a 2 post.

I'm not working against a flat-rate time like a real mechanic, so if it takes a little longer, so what. I know 2 post lifts must be safe or they wouldn't be so popular, but I just feel safer underneath a car on a 4 post. Plus... those runners come in pretty handy to lay tools & stuff on too.

[spork2367]

Originally Posted by Ccmano

What are you guys using to lift a car that’s on the 4 post. Like when you need to remove the wheels. I have two jack trays and don’t really want to buy one of those expensive jack tray bridge jacks the lift companies sell.
H

This is where I was coming from originally. I probably do more suspension and brake work on a regular basis than anything (second maybe to fluid changes). I can't see any way a four post is easier, quicker, or even comparable for that, nor do I consider jacking a car up on the floor an "easy" way to do suspension or brake work.

But that isn't what everyone is doing I suppose, so that's just my experience.

If you were to look at what the overwhelming majority of professional shops use, it's two post lifts. And they are the more expensive option.

Four posts are good for most work, storage, and on uneven or thin concrete not capable of supporting or attaching a two post lift to. Hell, at Carlisle, the four post lifts are just on the grass.

[Ccmano]

Originally Posted by spork2367

This is where I was coming from originally. I probably do more suspension and brake work on a regular basis than anything (second maybe to fluid changes). I can't see any way a four post is easier, quicker, or even comparable for that, nor do I consider jacking a car up on the floor an "easy" way to do suspension or brake work.

But that isn't what everyone is doing I suppose, so that's just my experience.

If you were to look at what the overwhelming majority of professional shops use, it's two post lifts. And they are the more expensive option.

Four posts are good for most work, storage, and on uneven or thin concrete not capable of supporting or attaching a two post lift to. Hell, at Carlisle, the four post lifts are just on the grass.

You absolutely right, but for most us having both is not an option. Storage trumps (no pun intended) other considerations. So we work with what we have. I was curious what others do to lift the car for wheel/suspension work.
H

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Both lifts have a bridge.
I use either jack stands or bottle jacks, sometimes both.
No big deal.
One bridge fits both lifts if I needed 4 wheels up at once.
Ramps make fantastic tool / parts trays!
You can easily and safely use a storage lift as a service lift.
Not as easy using a two post service lift as a storage lift, especially if the work on the top car involves or involved brake fluid or the like.
Storage lifts have drip trays!!!
Marty