Chassis too narrow for 2-post car lift?

[biggiles]

I've just installed a 2-post car lift in a barn. It's a standard asymmetric lift (ie you can open the doors) but I've come up against a problem while trying to lift my car for the first time this afternoon.

Most "normal" cars seem to lift along their sills- the Chimaera uses the chassis. The square section chassis though is very far under the car and the shorter arms of the lift can't quite reach. It's only a matter of about 3 inches.

Can I lift on the rounded outriggers, close to the box section? Do dealers have special lifts with extra-long arms?

Alternatively, I might have to get creative with large pieces of wood to spread the load, but I'd rather hear from someone with knowledge of the jacking points!

It's a '97 500- chassis is in good condition.

[ricardo bertone]

When my car has been on a 2 poster the support points are behind the front arches and in front of the rear arches where three tubes meet.

Ricardo

[biggiles]

ricardo bertone said:

When my car has been on a 2 poster the support points are behind the front arches and in front of the rear arches where three tubes meet.

Ricardo

Ricardo, is that where the small triangular pieces of metal join the round outriggers on to the square tube?

I still can't quite reach there- looks like I'll need to find some heavy wood to spread the load...

[ricardo bertone]

No at the ends of the sills.

[biggiles]

That's controversial- many people don't advise doing that with Chimaeras.

May I ask if your car is particularly new or the outriggers are in very good condition? I feel a bit nervous lifting on the sills!

Much appreciate your input.

[that daddy]

biggiles i use a 2 poster supporting the four corner plates all the time,i cant see why this is going to be a problem,dont forget they have tubes running from all four corners to the inner main chassis section.theres no problem with this at all if the chassis is not sound for this i dont think i would want to be driving said car,just trying to put to on the right track.

[biggiles]

Thanks thatdaddy.

I've just had the car six feet in the air, using some heavy timber to distribute the load, but if I can just do it on the outriggers right next to the wheel that's going to make the job much easier.

I'll do that next time.

It will also make it much easier to balance it. I'm happier being able to see immediately that the arms are roughly equidistant around the centre of gravity.

[peter miller]

I also purchased my own 2 post lift, a couple of years ago, and have always aligned the lifting pads under the plates at each corner where the outriggers join, usually with the body mounting bolts digging into the rubbers. I assume this would reduce the liklyhood of any chance of it slipping off. Not had any problems yet.