RUB BLOCKS ON YOUR CAR LIFT: 2-Post and 4-Post lifts

In the past few months, we have had some customers who own older Eagle Lifts (at least 10 years old) order new Rub Blocks for their lifts. Most lift operators are unsure exactly what a rub block is, why we use them in our lifts an how they are replaced.

Rub blocks are an important part of each lift and have a major role in making sure the lift performs the way it should. Eagle uses a nylon rub block for each of our 2-post and 4-post lifts. Rub blocks are installed on the carriages of the 2-post car lift, at the top and bottom of each carriage – 8 total per side.  On the 4-post lift, a 10”x 3” rub block, 2 per post (8 for each lift) are bolted on to the end of each cross member on the four corners of each carriage, top and bottom.

Once installed, the rub blocks become a stabilizer for the lift while going up and down. These rub blocks are the bridge between the actual lift post and carriage, or cross member.  The rub blocks are designed to secure the carriage or cross member inside each lift post and not allow any movement during use. The nylon creates a steady and smooth lift. We recommend a lubricant in each post to reduce the friction of block, and help with the travel of each lift.

Inspecting your rub blocks is part of your normal maintenance and needs to be done monthly. As the lift is used over time, the nylon rub blocks will begin to wear down and will need to be replaced. If the rub blocks are not checked on a regular basis, there are a number of issues your lift will encounter:

• The blocks could wear down enough that the carriage or cross member could begin to bind. A binding carriage or cross member is an unsafe way to operate an Eagle lift.
• When a rub block wears out, it has no stabilizer between the post and carriage. At this point, you now have metal on metal during the travel of the lift. This causes scraping inside the post.
• Once the posts become gouged, it causes the new rub blocks to wear down even faster.
• When the rub blocks are worn out, it causes the lifts lock latches to pull away from the locking ladder. Now the lift is not locking into position, making this is a very unsafe way to use a lift.

When inspecting your rub blocks, an easy way to determine if they need to be replaced is to put your finger between the block and the back of the post. There should be no room between the rub block and the post to allow this. To change the rub blocks on a 2-post lift, you will need to unbolt each post and lay it down. Once the lift is on the ground, slide each carriage or cross member out of the post.  Insert the new rub blocks into the slotted holes on the carriage, and then slide the carriage back into the post. Stand the post up and reinstall the remainder of the lift using Eagle’s installation manual.

For 4-post lifts, you will also need to uninstall the lift and lower each post to the ground. Then slide each cross member out and unbolt the worn blocks. Bolt the new blocks onto the cross member and slide the cross member back into the post. Finish reinstalling the lift using Eagle’s installation manual.

As always, our customer care team is here to assist you if you should have any questions or concerns. 1-800-336-2776.

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