Frequently Asked Questions

Car Lifts FAQs

Does my lift come with the necessary anchor bolts and/or hardware to mount it to the floor?

All BendPak lifts ship with the necessary anchors required for mounting the unit to your floor.


Does hydraulic fluid come with the lifts?

Due to current DOT and insurance laws regarding the transport of hydraulic oils (DOT Section 1 - Hazardous Ingredients; DOT Section 2 - Fire and Explosion Hazards and DOT Section 3 - Health Hazards) the required hydraulic fluid is to be supplied by the end-user, only. BendPak lifts are designed to operate using standard 10-weight, non-foaming, non-detergent hydraulic oil or Dexron-III ATF fluid. This is available in virtually any automotive store.


Do I need a special floor or foundation to support my new lift?

Most residential or commercial foundations are strong enough to support BendPak lifts. However, it is important to adhere to concrete specifications. Failure to do so could cause lift failure resulting in personal injury or death.

A level floor is suggested for proper installation and level lifting. With proper shimming, small differences in floor slopes may be compensated for. If a floor is of questionable slope, consider a survey of the site and / or the possibility of pouring a new level concrete slab.

Be sure to check your floor for the possibility of it being a post tension slab. In this case, contact the building architect before drilling. Visually inspect the site where the lift is to be installed and verify the concrete is in good condition. If your concrete has cracks or other defects, please consult with a certified contractor before proceeding to install any BendPak lift.

Lift owners and end users are responsible for the safe installation of their lift. Please see our concrete specification chart, this should not be construed as actual requirements for your building, facility or application. Because local and statewide building codes may change and / or vary, always check with the building architect before installation for additional guidance on UBC compliance requirements. In no event shall BendPak Inc. or Babco be liable for special, consequential or incidental damages for the misinterpretation of this information. BendPak Inc. and Babco reserve the right to make changes to this document without incurring any obligation to notify the public that changes were made.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the concrete requirements given by BendPak meet national or regional seismic requirements as prescribed by Uniform Building Code (UBC) and/or International Building Code (IBC)?

BendPak lifts are supplied with installation instructions and concrete fasteners meeting the criteria as prescribed by the American National Standard "Automotive Lifts - Safety Requirements for Construction, Testing, and Validation" ANSI/ALI ALCTV-2017. Lift buyers are responsible for any special regional structural and/or seismic anchoring requirements specified by any other agencies and/or codes such as the Uniform Building Code (UBC) and/or International Building Code (IBC).


What is the ceiling height required for a BendPak lift?

The required ceiling height will vary depending on the lift model, as well as the intended vehicle. Please refer to the product specification page for each product for further details.


Any suggestions for a first time installer?

Thoroughly read through the manual. Familiarize yourself with the manual, and multiple read-throughs are highly recommended. DO NOT skim through the pages. Fully comprehending the installation steps will save you time in the long run.


Do car lifts require maintenance?

A simple monthly checklist is perhaps the most you'll do on a regular basis, aside from common-sense visual inspections you'll do every time you lift and lower your vehicles. Cables need to be maintained, as do hydraulic systems. Because BendPak sells in such high volume, replacement parts (and therefore the cost of owning a BendPak car lift) are much less than the cost of owning other brands' lifts. Learn more about car lift maintenance and cable inspections.


Are car lifts available in different voltages?

Other (unlisted) voltages may be available upon request. Voltage options vary between models..


Are parts available locally?

No, Babco is the sole distributor for BendPak products across Canada.


What is the proper way to adjust and level the equalizer or lifting cables?

Loosen all cables on a lock, and then tighten each cable until the carriage or corner begins to lift up off the lock. Repeat the process on the other cables until you have level corners/carriages all around.


How can I find out who I can hire to install my lift?

Babco has ALI certified BendPak installers and/or we can contact a contracted service member near you.


What size circuit breaker does a lift's power unit require?

We recommend a 30 amp breaker for your car lift.


What type of fluid should I use for the power unit?

Use ATF Dexron 3 or higher. The amount of fluid necessary depends on the size of the reservoir.


Where can I find the bracket that hooks up to the button-end of the two-post lift cable?

It's located inside the carriage about 18” down from the top of the carriage.


Can I install a power unit on the driver-side left post of a clearfloor asymmetrical lift?

No, the power unit must be attached to the passenger-side right post, since this is where the primary safety latch is located. Switching the passenger side post to the driver’s side post would change the safety pulley angles and cause premature cable wear.


How do I bleed my two-post lift hydraulic cylinders?

1. Run the lift up and down a few times with no vehicle.
2. Lower arms to about 1 foot off the ground.
3. Slightly open the Allen bleeders on top of the cylinders, look for bubbles in the fluid. Once there are no more bubbles, close the Allen bleeders.


How far should my lift post baseplates be from a deep relief cut or the edge of my concrete slab?

Leave about 6” of space between from the edges of your lift's baseplate to the edges of any concrete slab.


Why are the arms of my two-post lift bouncing when going up and down?

There's probably air in your lines. Raise the lift to the first lock, then crack the bleeder screws at the top of the cylinders to remove air trapped in the system. When fluid starts to leak out, tighten the screws.


Why is fluid running down the sides of my cylinders?

Inspect the bleeder screws at the top of the cylinders to make sure they are snug.


Do I need an air compressor for my four-post lift?

It will be required to have 30 – 40 psi to disengage the locks.