Clarke bike lift creaking and lowering itself

[ash reynolds]

Anyone else got one of these(CML3) and finds it lowers itself? It also creaks (for lack of a better description) which you'll hear in this video. https://youtu.be/EjCnWPEglzM
Clarke say dropping 5mn in an hour is acceptable. I don't know anybody else who has one to compare it with unfortunately. Cheers.

[phil4]

Not got one myself, but if manufacturer says 5mm per hour is ok, and yours does about that... but you need it to not - have you thought about some sort of "chock", a bit of wood or similar, you can pop in place to stop it lowering? A bit like the idea of axel stands after you've jacked a car up. Might just need a bit of 2 by 4 (or 4x4) in a strategic place.

[SpeckledJim]

I'd want something solid like a couple of 2x4 under it anyway, if it doesn't have some sort of integral prop of some sort.

Relying purely on the seal seems a bit of a chance. Sooner or later it's going to fail. Hopefully not in dramatic style.

[ash reynolds]

It does have a locking bar, which I use, but this creeping and noise is new. Just a bit concerned as it never used to do it.

[bimsb6]

If you’re using the locking bar how is it lowering ? It should lock solid .

[ash reynolds]

bimsb6 said:

If you’re using the locking bar how is it lowering ? It should lock solid .

You raise it to maximum height, put the bar in and lower it to rest on the bar. I'm trying to get an idea if the lift is developing a fault since it's new behaviour. I wouldn't be concerned if it had always done it.

[bimsb6]

ash reynolds said:

bimsb6 said:

If you’re using the locking bar how is it lowering ? It should lock solid .

You raise it to maximum height, put the bar in and lower it to rest on the bar. I'm trying to get an idea if the lift is developing a fault since it's new behaviour. I wouldn't be concerned if it had always done it.

Try spraying wd40 into the hinges one at a time it may just be a dry pivot point

[Benni]

My guess is a valve or piston seal on the way out, the hydraulic oil passing the valve or seal can cause the creaking.

Or try an oil change & flush, it might be just a particle from manufacturing / painting that got into the valve / piston.

[Andy XRV]

I have the Sealey lift which I think is identical and that creeks and drops too. It's done it from new but TBH as I would never use it without the safety bar it's not really a problem, more a mild irritation.

[ash reynolds]

Andy XRV said:

I have the Sealey lift which I think is identical and that creeks and drops too. It's done it from new but TBH as I would never use it without the safety bar it's not really a problem, more a mild irritation.

Useful to know, maybe it won't get worse. I can live with it as is. Cheers.