4 Post Car Lift Parts: Replacement Guide
Shims, anchor bolts, arm pads and lift pads: what each part does and how to pick a replacement.
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The car is up on the lift, the wrench is in hand, and the lift rocks a little on its posts. That wobble is the moment most owners start looking at the hardware under the lift, and it is the right time to learn the parts. 4 post car lift parts are the replaceable pieces that keep a lift level and anchored under a car: leveling shims and anchor bolts. The gear in this guide also covers arm pads and lift pads, which fit 2-post lift arms and bridge jacks. Each one wears, loosens or goes missing on its own schedule, and each one has a matching replacement.
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Below: what each part does, how to check the parts on a lift before ordering, and the replacement gear for the job.
18pcs Metal Auto Lift Leveling Shims Kit For 2/4
A set of 18 T6061 aluminum alloy leveling shims in 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16 inch thicknesses, sized 2 x 2 inch to fit a 3/4 inch anchor bolt.
Pros
- 18 shims, 6 of each thickness
- T6061 aluminum alloy, corrosion resistant and high strength
- 2 x 2 inch U-shaped design, larger contact area
- 1 Year Warranty stated
Cons
- Shims only, no anchor bolts included
- Fit stated for a 3/4 inch wedge anchor bolt only
- Stacking shims adds a step to the install
- No stated load rating
Datanly 46 Pcs Car Lift Install Kit for 2/4 Post
A 46 piece install kit with 16 galvanized 3/4 x 5.5 inch wedge anchor bolts and 30 leveling shims in 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16 inch thicknesses.
Pros
- 46 pieces: 16 anchor bolts and 30 shims
- 3/4 x 5.5 inch wedge anchor bolts, galvanized finish
- Shims in 3 thicknesses, color coded black, red and blue
- Covers anchoring and leveling in a single kit
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- Bolt fit stated for most 2 post lifts and certain 4 post lifts
- No stated load rating
- For install work, not for replacing worn arm pads
4 Pack 2 Post 35mm Shaft Car Lift Pads
A 4 pack of screw-up lift pads for a 35mm shaft, with 4-9cm (1.6-3.5 inch) height adjustment, a steel base and a rubber top.
Pros
- Height adjusts from 4-9cm (1.6-3.5 inch) by screw
- Fits a 35mm shaft on most standard lift arms
- Round tray design for a larger contact area
- Steel base with a rubber top to protect the frame
Cons
- Warranty listed as 1 with no unit, so no term is stated
- Listed for 2 post lifts and bridge jacks, check the fit for a 4 post lift
- No stated load rating
- Screw adjustment adds a moving part to the pad
WFLNHB 4 Pcs Round Rubber Arm Pads Replacement
A set of 4 round hard rubber arm pads with a circular pattern on top, listed as a replacement for BendPak Lift and Danmar Lift pads.
Pros
- 4 pads in the set
- Hard rubber material for durability
- Circular pattern on top to reduce sliding
- Listed as a replacement for BendPak Lift and Danmar Lift
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- Fit stated for BendPak Lift and Danmar Lift only
- No stated load rating
- Rubber pads only, no steel base or height adjustment stated
4 Post Car Lift Parts: What Each Part Does
Each part in this guide handles a separate step. Leveling shims sit under the base plates and take up the gap where a garage floor is not flat. Anchor bolts hold the base plates to the floor. Arm pads and lift pads are the contact points on 2-post lift arms and bridge jacks, where the lift meets the car, and they take the wear from every lift.
- Leveling shims. Thin plates in 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16 inch thicknesses that stack under a base plate until the lift sits level. The Atesilor set carries 18 shims, 6 of each thickness, in T6061 aluminum alloy.
- Anchor bolts. Wedge bolts that fix the base plates to the concrete. The Datanly kit carries 16 galvanized wedge anchor bolts at 3/4 x 5.5 inch.
- Arm pads. Rubber pads on the lift arms that sit under the lift points, with a circular pattern on top to reduce sliding. The WFLNHB set carries 4 round hard rubber pads with a circular pattern on top, listed for BendPak Lift and Danmar Lift.
- Lift pads. Screw-up pads that adjust to reach the lift points on different vehicles. The JURPLIX set carries 4 pads for a 35mm shaft, with height adjustment from 4-9cm (1.6-3.5 inch).
When a part is missing, the rest of the lift has to make up for it. A missing shim leaves a post out of level, and a loose anchor bolt lets a base plate move.
How to Check 4 Post Car Lift Parts Before You Order
Match the part to the lift before ordering, because lift parts are not one size fits all. Check the shaft, the bolt size and the pad shape against the lift in the garage, and check the lift maker’s manual for the sizes a given lift calls for.
- Shim thickness. Work out which thicknesses the floor needs. Shims come in 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16 inch; the Atesilor set carries 6 of each thickness, and the Datanly kit carries 10 of each.
- Anchor bolt size. Check the bolt diameter the lift calls for. The Datanly kit lists 3/4 inch wedge anchor bolts at 3/4 x 5.5 inch, and the Atesilor shims fit a 3/4 inch wedge anchor bolt.
- Arm pad fit. Check the lift brand and the pad shape. The WFLNHB pads are listed as a replacement for BendPak Lift and Danmar Lift pads.
- Lift pad shaft. Check the shaft size on the lift arms. The JURPLIX pads fit a 35mm shaft on most standard lift arms, with height adjustment from 4-9cm (1.6-3.5 inch).
Never get under a vehicle supported by a jack alone. Use rated stands on solid, level ground, use the lift points in the owner’s manual, and follow the lift maker’s concrete and ceiling requirements.
Replacement 4 Post Car Lift Parts: The Gear
Shims and bolts each handle a separate step in the same job, leveling and anchoring, and the pads handle steady contact at the lift points on 2-post arms and bridge jacks, so the gear below covers the parts named above.
Check the lift's rated capacity against your heaviest vehicle, and its ceiling and concrete requirements (thickness and strength) before you buy. Install it exactly as the manufacturer specifies, use the mechanical locks before you go under, and look for ALI certification on the model. See the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI). Read our Safety Disclaimer.
FAQ: garage tools
What 4 post car lift parts wear out first?
The contact parts wear out first. Arm pads and lift pads take the load at every lift on a 2-post lift or a bridge jack, and their rubber tops wear with use. Shims and anchor bolts last longer, since they sit still once the lift is level and anchored.
Are leveling shims needed for a 4 post lift?
Shims are needed when the garage floor is not flat under the base plates. Leveling shims in 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16 inch thicknesses stack under a base plate until the lift sits level.
What size anchor bolt does a 4 post lift use?
Check the lift maker’s manual for the size a given lift calls for. The Datanly kit carries 16 galvanized wedge anchor bolts at 3/4 x 5.5 inch, and the Atesilor shims fit a 3/4 inch wedge anchor bolt.
Are rubber arm pads universal?
No. Arm pads are made to fit a given lift brand and arm shape, so check the listing before ordering. The WFLNHB pads are listed as a replacement for BendPak Lift and Danmar Lift pads, with a circular pattern on top to reduce sliding.
How do lift pads adjust for low cars?
Screw-up lift pads turn to raise or lower the contact point, so the pad can reach the lift points on low cars as well as on SUVs and trucks. The JURPLIX pads adjust from 4-9cm (1.6-3.5 inch) on a 35mm shaft.
Related: 2-post vs 4-post lift, the best car lift for home garage, and 4 post lift vs scissor lift.
