Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Lift Questions (long)

[LS (lashdeep]

CG, Greg Weldy has a Assymetrical 2 post Bendpak and he's been very happy
with it. I assisted with the install and it was fairly straightforward.
Lifting those columns up was a welcomed workout, but tricky! The only
minor complaint I have about the Bendpak-2 is that there is a big gap
between the lowest setting and the first lock. I've found myself sometimes
wanting a position where access to the car from underhood and
undercarriage was needed simultaneously.

Not considering cars with removeable subframes, a 4 post-er sure has had
my vote recently. I used a Rotary-4 to do some suspension work recently
and it was painless and very stable (of course). It also allows for doing
suspension setup or anything else where a loaded suspension is necessary.

Each has their pros (as Jeff has pointed out below)and cons. I'd get both,
keep us posted!

LS
--- Jeff Greenfield <coyote [at] acme-ltd.com> wrote:

> Lots of options and opinions, I'm sure that you'll get many different
> answers depending on who you talk too.
> 
> I've worked with both styles of lifts, and spent a lot of time
> researching
> lifts, and deciding what to get for my shop before actually buying one.
> 
> Asymmetrical is far more convenient in that is makes it much easier to
> get
> in and out of the car as you can open generally open the door of the car
> further (sometimes all the way depending the car) then you can with a
> symmetrical lift. 
> 
> Asymmetrical is great for FWD, and most front engine RWD cars. I haven't
> had
> any problems putting everything from an Alfa spider, 308, or BMW 750iL
> on my
> lift. Which is for all intents and purposes an asymmetrical lift.
> 
> That being said, many lifts now, have extra long front arms (sometimes
> an
> option, sometimes not) which allow the lift to be used in either
> configuration assuming the length of the bay is long enough to allow the
> car
> to be positioned further to the front or back of the lift depending on
> what
> you want to do.
> 
> The most important thing is to use common sense, pick the car up a foot
> or
> so, and do the 'bounce' test my pushing/jumping on the ends of the car
> to be
> sure it is stable.
> 
> Rotary lifts are really nice, and if money is no object by all means go
> ahead and get one. There are plenty of others out there that every bit
> as
> good for about half as much.
> 
> Mine is a Bendpak, which I bought online (www.asedeals.com) for
> substantially less than any 'dealers' could offer it for, and installed
> it
> myself with the help of one other person. The bendpak does have long(er)
> front arms and I believe is considered both symmetrical and asymmetrical
> but
> I'd have to look at the brochure to be sure.
> 
> Depending on the space, whether or not is new construction or not, and
> budget (the latter being the determining factor) there some other pretty
> neat options out there.
>  
> Twin post in ground would be my first choice for a new floor if money
> were
> no object. Another option would be full-height scissor lift (google
> Nussbaum
> lifts out of germany), however this does have some limitations has to
> under
> car access. The advantage of both these styles is that there is pretty
> much
> clear floor space. Those two columns really take up a lot of a floor
> space.
> 
> OTH, you can't beat an above ground two post for all around versatility
> and
> price. Also, there is a big variation among the above ground lifts for
> width
> spacing of the columns, if space is of a concern (as it was in my shop)
> then
> this is also a big consideration. A lot of lifts are now designed to
> have
> the capability to pick up large trucks and SUV's. So, if you're never
> going
> to work on those, than it is wasted space.
> 
> LMK if you have any questions, BTDTGTTS.
> 
> I'll try to send along a photo or two of my shop this week, after I get
> back
> home.
> 
> 
> Jeff
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Charles G. Perry IV [mailto:charles [at] carolina-sound.com] 
> Sent: Saturday, November 25, 2006 9:44 PM
> To: Jeff Greenfield
> Cc: The FerrariList
> Subject: [Ferrari] Lift Questions
> 
> To those of you who know or may have researched lifts:
> 
> I am considering a Rotary two-post lift for a future property. They have
> two
> basic designs, symmetrical and asymmetrical. They list their advantages
> as
> follows:
> 
> Asymmetrical: 
> -- Places center of gravity of vehicle in line with columns optimal load
> capacity
> -- Allows maximum opening of door for interior access
> 
> Symmetrical:
> -- Vehicle load is centered between posts to maximize lift capacity
> -- More width between columns for larger vehicles
> 
> Which lift is more appropriate to working on mid-engine cars in general,
> and
> specifically Ferraris where the rear subframe must come out for engine
> maintenance (TR/355/??). Considering it's hard to predict future
> purchases,
> are there any other things you would recommend thinking about when
> shopping
> for a lift or choosing a design?
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> -- charles
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------
>                     Charles G Perry IV
>                     Sr. Project Engineer
> 
> Carolina Sound Comm.              (843) 571-4488
> 1941 Savage Rd, Ste 200G      (843) 571-4492 fax
> Charleston, SC 29407                www.carolina-sound.com
> 
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