2 post vs 4 post for drivetrain removal: best
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Castle Rock CO
St. Jude Donor '15
2 post vs 4 post for drivetrain removal: best
I have run into a interesting dilema in my auto lift choice. The location I was hoping to put a 2 post lift has been deemed too close by the installer, but they say a 4 post could go there no issue. I don't want to use the next bay over and go with the 2 post, as I do other things with the 2 and 3rd bays that require them to be empty. So, with that, I want to be able to remove the drivetrain in my Z06 such that I can do the clutch here. No reason to have the lift if I can't save some dollars on Corvette maintenance procedures. I have always been under the impression that a 2 post is best for the clutch swap, but it looks like it is do-able with a 4 post......I can see some extra steps may be needed to get the rear suspension to come down.
Anyone familiar with doing such work on either lift: all your comments are appreciated.
Thank you in advance
Todd
Anyone familiar with doing such work on either lift: all your comments are appreciated.
Thank you in advance
Todd
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 224
From: Los Angeles, ca
Two post is best,4-post is good for car storage. You can certainly do stuff on a 4-post, but you’d need the jack rack that can lift the car off of the ramps. And it still is pretty limiting.
I have a 2-post that has everything running overhead so the spot is still somewhat useful.
I have a 2-post that has everything running overhead so the spot is still somewhat useful.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 11,183
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From: Castle Rock CO
St. Jude Donor '15
Thank you for the reply. I am looking at BendPak units and the 2 post I am looking is a clear floor unit with all lines running overhead. I have heard the lines across the floor are always in the way on tranny stuff and even some cars, like the Vette, where the engine is set behind the front axel.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 808
From: West coast CA
I have run into a interesting dilema in my auto lift choice. The location I was hoping to put a 2 post lift has been deemed too close by the installer, but they say a 4 post could go there no issue. I don't want to use the next bay over and go with the 2 post, as I do other things with the 2 and 3rd bays that require them to be empty. So, with that, I want to be able to remove the drivetrain in my Z06 such that I can do the clutch here. No reason to have the lift if I can't save some dollars on Corvette maintenance procedures. I have always been under the impression that a 2 post is best for the clutch swap, but it looks like it is do-able with a 4 post......I can see some extra steps may be needed to get the rear suspension to come down.
Anyone familiar with doing such work on either lift: all your comments are appreciated.
Thank you in advance
Todd
Anyone familiar with doing such work on either lift: all your comments are appreciated.
Thank you in advance
Todd
You might consider a third option: a mid-rise or full-rise dual scissor lift. These are clear in the middle so you can drop the entire drivetrain. There are no slab limitations, and the mid-rises are often moveable.
Some people cut out square recesses in the middle of the floor and install their scissor lift flush. The lifts are very flat when lowered so the recesses aren't very deep. This is very cool, because the lift is completely out of the way when not in use. Plus you can use it as a work table or loading platform if you need.
Nussbaum Sprinter portable mid-rise
Flush-mounted full-rise from garagejournal.com
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Castle Rock CO
St. Jude Donor '15
I have a, possibly unjustifiable, fear of scissor lifts. I just do not feel like they can lock into position as securely as a 2 or 4 post lift. The clamps on the BendPak give me some serious piece of mind when I am a co-workers place that has one of the BendPak 2 posts. Those clamps hammer into place so well and they are so loud....have to wear hearing protection or hold the clamps out button....Just don't get that feeling when I see the various scissor lifts I have over the years. That recessed pictures is a nice set up, though.
Todd
Todd
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 808
From: West coast CA
I have a, possibly unjustifiable, fear of scissor lifts. I just do not feel like they can lock into position as securely as a 2 or 4 post lift. The clamps on the BendPak give me some serious piece of mind when I am a co-workers place that has one of the BendPak 2 posts. Those clamps hammer into place so well and they are so loud....have to wear hearing protection or hold the clamps out button....Just don't get that feeling when I see the various scissor lifts I have over the years. That recessed pictures is a nice set up, though.
Todd
Todd
Most 2-post mishaps involve the lift arms being positioned improperly and the car falling off, which is hard to do with a scissor.
Many scissor lifts have mechanical locks. Basically a pawl that lowers onto a rack. A separate air supply is often required to lift the lock to lower the lift. These strike me as failsafe as anything. Ironically, mechanical locks are getting harder to find on the high-end European lifts, which are relying on fully redundant hydraulics. I still like the locks.
The mid-rise scissor lifts are mechanically synchronized by the big torsion bar at the bottom. Both sides are physically connected. So a single stand under one end of one side will prevent the entire thing from going down. As will a lift sling around the crossbars at the bottom.
Scissors do get narrower as they go up, though, so you need to pay attention to the fore-aft placement of the car. Corvettes should go on the opposite direction as Porsche 911s.
I've removed a C6 drivetrain using a mid-rise. It's a fantastic option for a small workspace.
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I have run into a interesting dilema in my auto lift choice. The location I was hoping to put a 2 post lift has been deemed too close by the installer, but they say a 4 post could go there no issue. I don't want to use the next bay over and go with the 2 post, as I do other things with the 2 and 3rd bays that require them to be empty. So, with that, I want to be able to remove the drivetrain in my Z06 such that I can do the clutch here. No reason to have the lift if I can't save some dollars on Corvette maintenance procedures. I have always been under the impression that a 2 post is best for the clutch swap, but it looks like it is do-able with a 4 post......I can see some extra steps may be needed to get the rear suspension to come down.
Anyone familiar with doing such work on either lift: all your comments are appreciated.
Thank you in advance
Todd
Anyone familiar with doing such work on either lift: all your comments are appreciated.
Thank you in advance
Todd
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 330
From: western NY
Another vote for a 2 post if your intent is suspension and drivetrain work. You'll find other opinions, but do the research and you'll make the right choice for your uses.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1594171542
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1594171542
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1594171542
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1594171542
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Castle Rock CO
St. Jude Donor '15
The BendPak is at the top of my list due to the complete over-engineered clamp system. I don't have any thoughts of those clamps letting go. Can't say this about all 2 post lifts, but I'm not looking at them now.
Race Director
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From: Golden Colorado
There is a company that makes a 2 post that one post is portable and can be removed and stored when not in use. I forget the name of the company but believe it is for restricted ceiling height also. A friend had one and it was kind handy for him. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Texas
I have run into a interesting dilema in my auto lift choice. The location I was hoping to put a 2 post lift has been deemed too close by the installer, but they say a 4 post could go there no issue. I don't want to use the next bay over and go with the 2 post, as I do other things with the 2 and 3rd bays that require them to be empty. So, with that, I want to be able to remove the drivetrain in my Z06 such that I can do the clutch here. No reason to have the lift if I can't save some dollars on Corvette maintenance procedures. I have always been under the impression that a 2 post is best for the clutch swap, but it looks like it is do-able with a 4 post......I can see some extra steps may be needed to get the rear suspension to come down.
Anyone familiar with doing such work on either lift: all your comments are appreciated.
Thank you in advance
Todd
Anyone familiar with doing such work on either lift: all your comments are appreciated.
Thank you in advance
Todd
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
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From: South Western Ontario
I disconnected the radiator, pulled the master off the booster and tied it to the engine and disconnected the electrical by unplugging the under hood fuse block and making sure the wiring was clear on a C6. Then took the car to a friends shop and used his 2-post to drop the drivetrain. The 2 of us had the drivetrain dropped out onto the floor in about 40 minutes.
It took me 4 to 5 hours to pull the back half of the drivetrain on a C5 using jack stands. Climbing around under it and in and out to get tools makes it go so much slower.
A 4-post would help, but it certainly would be difficult to use compared to a 2-post. You would definitely need a good bridge jack so you could raise the body up to get the subframe/suspension out from between the car and the ramps. Also, the width between the ramps really isn't that much so trying to work around the drivetrain to disconnect things or check clearances or check alignment would be difficult once the drivetrain is lowered a bit and filling the area between the ramps.
It took me 4 to 5 hours to pull the back half of the drivetrain on a C5 using jack stands. Climbing around under it and in and out to get tools makes it go so much slower.
A 4-post would help, but it certainly would be difficult to use compared to a 2-post. You would definitely need a good bridge jack so you could raise the body up to get the subframe/suspension out from between the car and the ramps. Also, the width between the ramps really isn't that much so trying to work around the drivetrain to disconnect things or check clearances or check alignment would be difficult once the drivetrain is lowered a bit and filling the area between the ramps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: West coast CA
You're probably referring to Max Jax. Both posts can be removed and rolled away.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Castle Rock CO
St. Jude Donor '15
The right front corner of a vehicle on the lift will not have the minimum clearance to a wall that is recommended. It isn't by much, but they want to move the posts over a tad and it interferes with bay next to it. The area the lift is going into is a wide open 26' deep, 37' wide area. I just want it over to the one side, as I use the combined floor space of the other 2 bays to put vehicles in and wash them during the winter.
It looks like I am going to have them move the post over a tad, but I am going to sign a waiver stating I understand it still isn't at the recommended distance from that wall(even our truck will only have about the first two feet of the front right side up near that wall, and I will still have more than 28" to the wall from the vehicle. That is the widest vehicle that will go on the lift. All my other vehicles give me plenty of room in the location I want.
It looks like I am going to have them move the post over a tad, but I am going to sign a waiver stating I understand it still isn't at the recommended distance from that wall(even our truck will only have about the first two feet of the front right side up near that wall, and I will still have more than 28" to the wall from the vehicle. That is the widest vehicle that will go on the lift. All my other vehicles give me plenty of room in the location I want.