storing a car on a 2 post lift?

[jason61c]

How long can you store a car on a 2 post lift before it begins to 'sag'?

I'm looking at a 2 post or 4 post for home use. 2 obviously takes up less room but i'm wary of storing an older car on it for any length of time, even when using the correct jacking points etc. Should I be? whats the consensus on the home made wheel support things you can get?

[Arnold Cunningham]

The car or the lift sags?
If car, hopefully it's not "that" rusty

[jason61c]

Arnold Cunningham said:

The car or the lift sags?
If car, hopefully it's not "that" rusty

Its amazing how much cars can move when left supported in a few spots. Even rust free ones....

[caelite]

You get wheel lift extensions for 2 post lifts.


Seems like one of those would be perfect for your intentions, just make sure that you get a lift that 'locks', if it is sitting on its own hydraulic pressure it will eventually begin to leak.

[Buzz84]

Some twin posts are of the screw type rather than hydraulicly lifted, these will stay in place over time and wont drop, whether it does the arms or car any good is another question though

[sunbeam alpine]

I've seen some posts on here from a guy in (I think) Yorkshire who has 10 very nice cars in high garages - 5 on lifts and 5 under.

[tomsugden]

sunbeam alpine said:

I've seen some posts on here from a guy in (I think) Yorkshire who has 10 very nice cars in high garages - 5 on lifts and 5 under.

Not in Yorkshire, but he is on here, and his house is currently for sale, complete with garage and said lifts.

[Getragdogleg]

I have 4 cars in two spaces thanks to my two post lift and 4 post lift.

The long term stored cars go on the 4 post (with crappy storage tyres fitted) and the ones I swop around and use more often go on the two post.

[jason61c]

Yes, i've also looked at the screw lift ones. there's a company that's offered to supply/deliver/install for about £1300 for an ex-garage one thats been re-conditioned/painted/new load nuts etc.

[jason61c]

too add, its not the lift I worry about sagging!

[Sebring440]

jason61c said:

Its amazing how much cars can move when left supported in a few spots. Even rust free ones....

Ah, a man of experience! Tell us more. On what cars has this happened to you?

If the car is supported on a lift (at four points), how is this different to a car being supported (on four points) on its wheels?

[Sump]

jason61c said:

Yes, i've also looked at the screw lift ones. there's a company that's offered to supply/deliver/install for about £1300 for an ex-garage one thats been re-conditioned/painted/new load nuts etc.

Straightset?

If so that's okay!

[KungFuPanda]

Sebring440 said:

jason61c said:

Its amazing how much cars can move when left supported in a few spots. Even rust free ones....

Ah, a man of experience! Tell us more. On what cars has this happened to you?

If the car is supported on a lift (at four points), how is this different to a car being supported (on four points) on its wheels?

I'd be more comfortable with the car being supported on four wheels, like it's designed to be supported 24/7 rather than on 4 jacking points.

[Hasbeen]

I had a Triumph TR8 left sitting on stands unevenly for 3 or 4 months at the painters. I was only told of this after the shut lines were changed for the worse.

When put down the door on one side no longer sat right. I had to have the thing straightened on a body rack to get it back square.

I was really worried about this & did expect the body would be less rigid after this. If it is, it has not shown in the door gaps or in the handling in the 6 years since then.

I would still not like to see it done to a car again.

[skizzfizz]

probably twenty minutes at the most.

[jason61c]

Sebring440 said:

Ah, a man of experience! Tell us more. On what cars has this happened to you?

If the car is supported on a lift (at four points), how is this different to a car being supported (on four points) on its wheels?

I don't need to. there's a fair few who've already pointed it out.

[eltax91]

Tell us more about where one gets a recon lift for £1300??

[jason61c]

eltax91 said:

Tell us more about where one gets a recon lift for £1300??

They've only got a few so I'm keeping it to myself just while I decide on the best option. I'm thinking a 4 post will be better.

[ToothbrushMan]

can the converse happen then when a car is stored on its tyres. can the car bend up at the corners? LOL.

[jason61c]

ToothbrushMan said:

can the converse happen then when a car is stored on its tyres. can the car bend up at the corners? LOL.

when a car is loaded on tyres the contact is spread across far more than 4 locations.