[Warp Ten]

I don't know how many out there have lifts in their garages, but I thought I would post this about replacing my cables on an eight year old Direct Lift Pro Park 8S (parent company: Rotary). I have posted this on another BMW forum as well as my Corvette ones, so it may be redundant for some. I swap my 2019 540xi with my 2016 Corvette Z06 regularly in the warmer months and use it to store the Z06 in the winter. In early April I noticed that one of the cables didn't look right. Instead of being smooth and linear it seemed to have some bumps on it. Discovered that one of the sub-cables had pulled out of the swage slightly and was loose so that I could push on it and it would move. (Pics below; one shows my previous 535xi). I ordered new cables but of course due to the virus situation it took a month to get them. Finally got them installed last Wednesday. The repair man (who mostly does dealership lifts) said this type of failure was not common but he had seen it before. Normally the more common cable failure involves fraying of the small wires when the cable goes around the sheaves. Anyway, problem is fixed and it works fine now. Just thought I should mention the importance of checking your lifts from time to time. While all lifts have robust safety stops, I figure it is always best to find a problem before it causes a bigger one. --Bob

[Pictor]

Those cables look beefier than needed for the weight of these cars so you probably have extra protection there but I agree that prevention is best and I wouldn't want to have to deal with the problem if it failed.

Out of curiosity, I cannot see the tracks for the garage door but it looks like the clearance above the top car is pretty tight. Does the garage door clear the roof of the top car without a problem?

[High Flier]

Nice lift, my brother's getting a similar one. I hope your 'vette doesn't develop any fluid leaks :-)

[Warp Ten]

Originally Posted by Pictor

Those cables look beefier than needed for the weight of these cars so you probably have extra protection there but I agree that prevention is best and I wouldn't want to have to deal with the problem if it failed.

Out of curiosity, I cannot see the tracks for the garage door but it looks like the clearance above the top car is pretty tight. Does the garage door clear the roof of the top car without a problem?

Yes I had to have the garage door tracks raised, then after that I even raised them some more. They are now about 6" below the ceiling. I have a 10' ceiling near the garage door. I have a five foot tall car and a four foot tall car. Just fits with room to raise the lift off the safety stops before lowering. And just in case, I put a strip of 1/4" rubber about 2 inches wide on the top edge of the door just in case I ever forget and push one of the cars up a bit too high. I also cut away the topmost metal reinforcement that goes across the door. I replace that section with a steel L channel across the door top. Have never hit the door with a car yet--knock on wood. One plus of raising the tracks is that the garage door when up does not go into the room as far as it used to. Part of the reason I had to do the door/track modifications is that I located the lift very close to the garage door to provide room for my refrigerator, tool chest, shelves and compressor in front of the cars. There are a lot of pictures of the lift installation in my albums section--just click on my avatar. --Bob

[Warp Ten]

Originally Posted by High Flier

Nice lift, my brother's getting a similar one. I hope your 'vette doesn't develop any fluid leaks :-)

No leaks from the cars yet. I used to own a lot of British cars that I am sure would have required use of the drip pans that come with the lift. After about five years I did have one very small hydraulic fluid leak from the cylinder--maybe a drop or two a month--so I just fastened one of the plastic drip trays under it. The repairman who did my cables said a small leak is very common and not something to worry about. Fluid level is still just about as original from 8 years ago. As noted above there are a number of pictures of my lift installation in my albums section if your brother wants to see them. And while my installation is now getting a little long in the tooth, I'd be glad to answer any questions about it if needed. -Bob