Lift in Garage - is this harmfull

[Jeff A.]

Finally installed a 2 post lift in my garage.
I am currently storing my 63 on it.

Would it be harmful to the suspension, to be fully extended for a period of time?
Will storing the car like this cause problems?
Just wondering.

[Dick W.]

Re: Lift in Garage - is this harmfull

The only downside to storing a car with no weight on the suspension is that the car will sit higher for a period of time once it is back on the ground. Works real good when you have a set of "tired" springs.

[Terry M.]

Re: Lift in Garage - is this harmfull

The theory is that the continual flex on the suspension rubber bushings will hasten their demise.

[Mike B.]

Re: Lift in Garage - is this harmfull

Take the tires off to relieve some of the hanging weight. It will also give you a bit more room when having to duck!

[Jeff A.]

Re: Lift in Garage - is this harmfull

I actually do plan on driving the car from time to time.
Removing the wheels would be a major hassle.

Just want a little more space in the garage.

[Gary C.]

Re: Lift in Garage - is this harmfull

Jeff, question about the floor thickness in your garage - concrete thickness needs to be at least 5 inches thick for a 2 post lift. Gary....

[Michael H.]

Re: Lift in Garage - is this harmfull

Finally installed a 2 post lift in my garage.
I am currently storing my 63 on it.

Would it be harmful to the suspension, to be fully extended for a period of time?
Will storing the car like this cause problems?
Just wondering.

There are a few reasons why a Corvette, especially a conv., shouldn't be stored while supported by the frame in the locations shown in your picture.

All of the front/rear suspension bushings are designed to be "at rest" when the car/suspension is at/near original ride height. Bushings twist on jounce/rebound but that action is brief and doesn't cause cracking of the rubber. However, extended periods of time in this flexed position definitely will promote bushing cracking/damage.

When the car is supported by any other method than "on it's wheels" or suspension components, the frame will flex and stress a lot of items in the body. Some items seem to take a permanent set after an extended stay in this position.
When the body flexes, this action tends to streach the conv top. You may notice that the top material seems much tighter at that time. When the car is back on it's wheels, you may find that the top no longer fits as well as it did before storage.

Removing the wheels/tires has little to do with relieving stress on the control arm bushings as the force of the spring is what creates the majority of the load on the bushings. Not the weight of the wheel/tire assy.

[Jeff A.]

Re: Lift in Garage - is this harmfull

Concrete is plenty thick - code at the time was 5.5" and this home was built by a contractor in 1975 for himself - EVERYTHING is way overdone.

But, according to the last post it appears not to be a good idea.
That is kinda what I was worried about.
It is never up there for more than a week at a time.
But I certainly do not want to distress the car.
Would one of my Camaro Convertibles be a better choice?
Or is this just not a good idea all around.

I do have a space that is not in use but it is nice to keep all the crap there.

[Steven B.]

Re: Lift in Garage - is this harmfull

While checking lifts a few weeks ago I was advised by some distributors/mfgs to use a four post unit for storage and mainteance and a two post for maintenance due to stress on the car when stored and potential accidents.

[Jeff A.]

Re: Lift in Garage - is this harmfull

I love my 2 post Mohawk A7.
And due to height restrictions - for me a 4 post was never an option.

[Bob R.]

Re: Lift in Garage - is this harmfull

I also have a 63 covertible and I would never consider leaving it for long periods of time on a 2 post lift. When the car is on the lift check out the way the door gaps change and you can't open and close the doors. It has to be a lot of stress on the fiberglass.
The 2 post lifts are great for working on the car but for storage of a C1 or C2 corvette I would only use a 4 post.

[Mark T.]

Re: Lift in Garage - is this harmfull

Jeff ,congrats On Your Mohawk Lift They Are The Strongest And Best Lift And They Are Made In America. I Have Been A Mohawk Distributor For 27 Years. The Concrete Required For The Lift Is 4 In.of 4000psi
The Question You Asked About Storage Is One I Often Get . The Other Answers Are Correct. I Have Customers Who Store On 2 Post Lifts Without Problems. It All Depends On How Long The Suspension Is Unsprung
Mark (liftman)

[Jeff A.]

Re: Lift in Garage - is this harmfull

I guess I will just have to be very careful not to keep it up there too long.

[Chuck L.]

Re: Lift in Garage - is this harmfull

Had a solid axle 62 on a 2 post lift for a number of years with no problem. Was also used for my C3 and C5 to make oil changes which were a lot easier. It has a lot more access space than the 4 Post as well without the rails being in the way. Guess it depends on what you are using it for.
Chuck

[John H.]

Re: Lift in Garage - is this harmfull

Would one of my Camaro Convertibles be a better choice?
Or is this just not a good idea all around.

You'll have exactly the same issue with the Camaro in terms of over-stressing the front upper and lower control arm bushings in torsion at full rebound; not a good idea for any car with OEM rubber bushings. Not an issue with C1's, as they have metal-to-metal threaded/greased upper and lower control arm bushings, not rubber.