Question: my 4 post lift makes groan noise
 

My Direct Lift DP-7000 groan like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSXamm6DDVg

When going up with my car on it, it groans loud after about 1/3 of the way. It gets worse around mid way. On going down, it does less. Without a car on it, it's smooth and quiet.

It seem like the hydraulic cylinder is the issue. I inspected cable and wheels (roller disks) looks fine. I spray them with silicone lube, no help. Does anyone has this problem?

On hydraulic oil, I replaced several years ago (drained at the cable and filled at the oil tank). I don't think I use the lift that much that I have to replace oil too often.

Anyone know if I have to oil the hydraulic cylinder?

You need to add some hydraulic oil conditioner. It comes in a very small bottle and I think it is made by Cat. I had the same problem until I added the conditioner.

^^^^ this

Investigator759, Joe bob,

I went to autozone website and typed "hydraulic oil conditioner" and found nothing. Do you remember what you get? If you have link to picture would be great. Thanks.

https://parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/1U-9891

It lubes the seals.

I got the conditioner from the company that sold me the lift and did the installation. Try them. They should be able to supply it (Free for me) or have a source for it.

Wow, there is a place local, but far.
Thanks guys. How much should I put into the oil tank now?

Also, make sure that you know where all of the grease fittings are and grease at least once a year. Mine started howling several years ago. It drove me crazy for about three weeks until I discovered two grease fittings I didn't know about. Stupid, I know, but better that I discovered the hidden grease fittings before I did permanent damage.

Do the pulleys that the cables go over have grease fittings?

Mine do. The rear pulley grease fittings are covered by a large hex screw, about the size of a quarter. They look like part of the structure, not grease fitting covers. Those are the one's I "discovered". After I greased them, my problem went away.

Geez Rnln, 5:39AM, WTD, Get some sleep dude :D

Would help if you posted your lift's actual "groan" the joke video is funny but really does not help.

Can you tell me where are your grease fitting are at? Which part? I looked at every corner of my lift and never seen one

Really? I took more then one pulleys out on my hands before and didn't see the grease fitting. Is it on the pulley/wheel or on the part of the lift?

It groan just like the guy did on the video, serious.
Search all over youtube and found nothing about lift groan nor grease :mad:

Can anyone remember what she says? I can't concentrate :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g91tnGDIqTo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MER5zkEC0wY

According to the Direct Lift Owners manual, you are supposed to "Lubricate the cable sheave shaft by using grease gun at lease once a year after the lift is in service." That tells me that there must be a grease fitting in the sheave shafts at the center of the pulleys. There may not be a grease fitting attached so it might simply look like a small hole to you. Screw in grease (Zerk) fittings and grease up each pulley until a small amount of grease oozes out of the shaft.

Here is a picture comparing your Direct lift (bottom) to a Bendpack lift (Top) from the Bendpak website. Apparently your lift did not come with grease fittings already installed.

thanks David, I will check. Even without grease fitting, I can take the pulley off and put grease there.
Another thought, should I put grease on the pulleys where the cables run?

Make sure you look at the picture I added to my answer. It shows exactly where the grease fittings go.

As far as greasing where the cables run, I'd follow whatever the owner's manual recommends. I've never put grease on the pulley tracks on my lift and haven't had any problems. Plus, that grease will inevitably get on the cables and, if you park another car under the lift, that's just another way to get grease on your clothes when you get into your daily driver!

David, thanks again. I will check tonight.

Greased all pulleys' sharps and where cable run through the pulley too, still groaned. Left it for a week or so. 90% of the groan was gone. My buddy was here today and thought what left was the cylinder's seal. Gotta find that oil additive
Thanks guys.