Car Lift Maintenance

If you have a 2-Post and/or 4-Post Car Lift, It’s important to keep your car lift in good condition. You’ll need to lubricate the moving parts, check the safety features, and check all cables and chains for damage or wear.

The most important thing to remember is that Car Lifts are machines and must be maintained. Regular maintenance will help keep your equipment running smoothly, safely and efficiently. It is also essential for the safe operation of your equipment.

It’s a good idea to get into the habit of regularly inspecting your Car Lift. You should have a regularly scheduled inspection and use a checklist to make sure you don’t miss anything. And you should always have the right tools for the job. Regular maintenance will help you avoid costly repairs down the road as well as ensure that any problems with your lift are identified early on so they can be addressed quickly and easily before they become more serious or expensive issues. In addition to saving money in the long run, regular maintenance helps ensure that your Car Lift remains in good working condition so you can continue to use it for years to come.

Regular Maintenance Includes:

  • Cleaning the Car Lift – Remove any debris from around the Car Lift, and sweep or vacuum it clean. This will help stop any debris from interfering with any moving parts of the lift.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to grease any moving parts that require it using the grease nipples provided. These will include, load bearing and safety nuts, bearings, pulleys etc. This will extend their longevity by reducing wear on metal surfaces due friction caused by dried-up lubricants over time. Always use the type of grease recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Checking all bolts for tightness or damage – Check that any loose or broken parts have been replaced and tightened securely before using the Car Lift. This includes checking the anchor bolts.
  • Inspecting chains and cables for wear or damage – Check all cables and chains are properly lubricated and in good condition.
  • Inspect the hydraulic lines for leaks, damage, or wear – Check for corrosion or cracks in the hydraulic line(s), check for leaks at the connection points of each hose.
  • Check rubber pads on the lifting feet for any damage, ensure the metal foot inself cannot come into contact with the jacking point of the vehicle, as this could damage the vehicle and also doesn’t have the same friction, so the foot is more likely to slip out.
  • Check the safety features of your Car Lift – Such as brakes, safety stops and safety cables on both types of car lifts.

Automotive Tools OMCN Approved Dealer

Create a Checklist

In order to carry out these checks regularly and properly you should create a maintenance checklist. The checklist should be clearly written and easy-to-follow. The more organised the checklist is (by priority and type), the more useful it will be when performing routine checks on your 2-Post or 4-Post Car Lifts.

Use your checklist as a guide and ensure that you perform each task on a regular basis. A detailed, easy-to-follow checklist will help ensure that you don’t miss any steps when performing your Car Lift maintenance inspection.

The Garage Equipment Association recommends visual checks are carried out daily by the person operating the vehicle lift.

More in depth checks should be carried out monthly – including checking the anchor bolts and lubricating as required.

A full service of a vehicle lift by a competent person, such as GEA approved engineer are recommended every 6 months.

A full annual service by a competent person is compulsory under PUWER regulation 5.

Regular Maintenance Avoids Costly Repairs

When it comes to Car Lift maintenance, the best way to avoid costly repairs down the road is by taking care of your equipment now. A regular and robust maintenance plan prevent damage and help keep your equipment running smoothly, safely, and efficiently. Helping to prevent problems before they become serious issues down the line.

Should you need a competent person to service your vehicle lifts Automotive Tools have GEA approved engineers that can do this for you.

Here at Automotive Tools we also stock a wide range of spares and accessories for 2-Post Lifts, 4-Post Lifts, Scissor Lifts, and more.

 

To read more and for further information, please click the link below:
https://gea.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Safe-operation-of-vehcile-lifts.pdf