Carlift Failure
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
I've seen several pictures regarding lift failure. I'm just not convinced that cars where meant to be left up in the air. Sure, it's great to work on them, but in the air for storage ? I'm sure several forum members have them, and many more of us have dreamed about having one... but the more I see pic's like this and hear of other horror stories I just don't have any faith in them.
Yes, I forgot to clarify, they were both vettes.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
again, you get what you pay for
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
I'm speechless. I hope nobody was injured. Real shame on the car. I'm betting serious structural damage, as in total loss.
Mojo....I remember when the pics of the lift failure you're describing were all over the forum several years ago. The last I heard, the lift manufacturer had denied all culpability and it was going to litigation. I don't know what the final resolution was.
Backyard Buddy has a good reputation, and I've never heard of one of their lifts failing. Again, you get what you pay for.
Mojo....I remember when the pics of the lift failure you're describing were all over the forum several years ago. The last I heard, the lift manufacturer had denied all culpability and it was going to litigation. I don't know what the final resolution was.
Backyard Buddy has a good reputation, and I've never heard of one of their lifts failing. Again, you get what you pay for.
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
If that is a numbers matching car or even a nice clone it could/should have had declared value insurance, like Hagerty. Then the owner may get full value if totaled, and do whatever he wants. Buy back damaged car and fix, or take money and run. All too often these projects have a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, plus the talent, time, and money. And sometimes it was "Dads" car or " My first car" and sentimental value has no price. Moral, there is no 100% safe rack. Buy the best you can afford. No scrimping on this one. They lost my '78 off the rack at the Goodyear store. I was lucky. Had to replace wheel, tire, and driveshaft. they were falling down " no pun intended" to fix, and give me rental. but needless to say I never went back there. Sometimes it can be faulty lift, sometimes operator. they never told me how it happened and I didn't think it mattered. They just came out and got me while I was reading magazine and said " Ah, we kinda sorta dropped car off rack"--I said " You kinda sorta, or you did?" I never like being underneath a car. Had 2 friends have cars fall on them and one died. As I said, take the utmost care for your safety, and buy a superior lift. JMO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Well, look at the bright side. At least now the owner can just stand next to that car & fix that damn squeaky U-joint without getting a stiff neck. 
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: connersville IN
I have a 2 post 8000lb lift and theres no way it would fail on its own.I would also NEVER touch a jack stand again,lol
It looks like a pully came off and let the cable loose all its slack,YOU ALWAYS REST THE CAR ON THE LOCKS!I even like to bump the pump so it has some pressure on it also.
Ive had one ton handicap vans on mine,well over the limit on the greg smith 8000lb lift
I didnt take it to the sky but i trust it well.If the locks are broken or cables wore out,your asking for trouble,i would never park a car under one,if you have cars worth 50k or more,buy a damn pole barn!
It looks like a pully came off and let the cable loose all its slack,YOU ALWAYS REST THE CAR ON THE LOCKS!I even like to bump the pump so it has some pressure on it also.
Ive had one ton handicap vans on mine,well over the limit on the greg smith 8000lb lift
I didnt take it to the sky but i trust it well.If the locks are broken or cables wore out,your asking for trouble,i would never park a car under one,if you have cars worth 50k or more,buy a damn pole barn!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
lift fail.
From the looks of things that is a floor plate type of lift the same kind as mine it has cables that run from one post to the other under the floor plate so that in a complete failure both sets of arms would come down at the same time I would shur like to know how this happend The year was 1985 I was working in a small shop and had a car on my lift locks off and a hi lift stand under car to jack up tranny. the jurk becide me let my lift down instad of his I am under the car and felt it moove I jumped out of the way just as the car came down sideways and missing me by an in. max These lifts are safe only if inst. and used properly. 
