2 post/ 4 post lift options for the B8.5 S4

[Chandler]

No one in my area will install an aftermarket clutch for me. I originally planned on jack stands and attempting it myself but after talking to a few people and verifying the transmission has to literally drop all the way out, it sounds like a pain in the ass. So, I decided if I could find someone to do it for < $800 out the door, I was sold as long as I knew their name or deemed they are reputable. I have called EVERYONE that services Audi and a few "one man" garages that I got references to. I have one more place to call but I know someone who had a bad experience with the owner/ single tech.

I would rather spend money on a lift then drive to Atlanta or 2 hours to Auburn/ Opelika Alabama. The question is 4 post or 2 post? Portable or bolt into the floor? I don't want a drive on one, I want it to lift from the pinch welds. The four areas to lift from are only about a foot by each tire. What fits?

Does anyone have an at home lift? I have seen posts about them before but not specificaly for our car - if it even matters. There is a lot to take into consideration: height, width, mount points, etc

[Shimmy]

In for more info too. Your garage slab will also have to be assessed if you get a bolt down one.

[Race Shooter]

You should take it to APR, they can probably have it done for you in about two weeks.

[AKPS4]

I would strongly consider bolt-in for safety and piece of mind. That's if your slab can support the anchors as mentioned above.

Do you have enough ceiling height?

[shizzrock]

I have this:

http://www.quickjack.com/products/quickjack-accessories_quickjack-car-jack-support-system---5,000-pound-capacity.html

I don't know if it will work for dropping a tranny but it's pretty amazing for what it does. It's completely portable and gives you about 24 inches of lift.

[drob23]

I have this:

http://www.quickjack.com/products/quickjack-accessories_quickjack-car-jack-support-system---5,000-pound-capacity.html

I don't know if it will work for dropping a tranny but it's pretty amazing for what it does. It's completely portable and gives you about 24 inches of lift.

Damn, that thing looks awesome. Any issues? Is the control "precise" enough where you could put jack stands under the suspension arms or pinch welds (if there's room) and then easily lower it onto the jackstands (and raise it when it's time to take out the jackstands).

Also, is it long enough to rest on the pinch weld spots or do you have to lift on the section covered by plastic?

[Li ls4]

what about these stands, they could be able to give you the height clearance to drop that trans

http://jalopnik.com/these-awesome-jack-stands-will-transform-the-way-you-wo-1680463970

[gringoloco2000]

MaxJax might be an option. I have been looking at these for a while. I think it gives you about 4' of lift which should be enough to get a trans jack under it. I was actually thinking the same thing for doing my clutch in the future because I have been quoted close to the price of this jack in labor.

http://www.costco.com/Dannmar-MaxJax%E2%84%A2-2-post-Portable-Auto-Lift.product.11731656.html

http://www.maxjaxusa.com/

[infinkc]

MaxJax might be an option. I have been looking at these for a while. I think it gives you about 4' of lift which should be enough to get a trans jack under it. I was actually thinking the same thing for doing my clutch in the future because I have been quoted close to the price of this jack in labor.

http://www.costco.com/Dannmar-MaxJax%E2%84%A2-2-post-Portable-Auto-Lift.product.11731656.html

http://www.maxjaxusa.com/

I have had a Maxjax for about 2 years now. Its a great lift. i would have gone a full size lift but my garage was a foot short. I have done stage 3 swaps with my b5s4, and a lot with other Audis on it. I will be doing my clutch soon on it for the b8.

I really have no complaints other than the lines sometimes get in the way when they are laying on the floor. I though about making it a more permanent install, but never got around to that.

http://oi61.tinypic.com/1zzosqr.jpg
http://oi58.tinypic.com/2vnq35c.jpg
http://oi60.tinypic.com/qnodfk.jpg
http://oi58.tinypic.com/1zz5ksi.jpg
http://oi58.tinypic.com/2w4wron.jpg

[RainJer]

MaxJax might be an option. I have been looking at these for a while. I think it gives you about 4' of lift which should be enough to get a trans jack under it. I was actually thinking the same thing for doing my clutch in the future because I have been quoted close to the price of this jack in labor.

http://www.costco.com/Dannmar-MaxJax%E2%84%A2-2-post-Portable-Auto-Lift.product.11731656.html

http://www.maxjaxusa.com/

Nice!

[Shimmy]

I've seen the maxjax, but I just don't trust my garage slab. Looks like a minimum of 4" thick slab for the 7000 model.

[Docwyte]

You're not going to buy any lift for $800, even used.

I recently went through this decision process. I have 13.5' in my center bay, so plenty of space for a full sized lift. You need to decide what the primary use of the lift will be. Storage? Lots of wheels off work? Then you need to decide how portable you want it to be and how much you want to spend on installation.

Most of the 2 post lifts require 6" of concrete, which residential slabs don't have. That means breaking apart the floor where the posts will go, digging down, then repouring. Most 2 post lifts also need 220V, so you need to wire for that. Then installing a two post lift yourself is a major PITA, so budget on paying someone, they tend to charge $800-1000. If you order a 2 post lift, they expect you to either come and get it from the shipping depot, or have a fork lift at your house to remove it from the truck.

2 post lifts are better for wheels off work however.

4 post lifts are better for storage. They're portable, in that you don't have to bolt them down, however, if you decide to do so, residential slabs are thick enough. They run off of 110V, no need to rewire. You and a friend or two can install it yourself.

I went with a 4 post since I'll mostly be using it for storage, however it's been great for all the maintenance work I do as well. I recently installed my AWE exhaust and it was cake. There's plenty of space between the two decks to drop the transmission out if I decided to do a clutch too.

Max Jax are a great option if you don't have the ceiling height for a full sized lift. Be careful with where you put the posts though, they need a decent amount of concrete to anchor into. A friend put it too close to the wall and ended up cracking his slab...

[LINDW4LL]

Why not just drive the two hours to APR?

[Chandler]

Why not just drive the two hours to APR?

Because it would stay for more then 10 hours meaning hotel or driving back. If I have to drive back and forth that is 8 hours of total drive time. I could have just done the labor AND bought a lift for what I would pay in gas and labor.... That is why.

[drob23]

You're not going to buy any lift for $800, even used.

I recently went through this decision process. I have 13.5' in my center bay, so plenty of space for a full sized lift. You need to decide what the primary use of the lift will be. Storage? Lots of wheels off work? Then you need to decide how portable you want it to be and how much you want to spend on installation.

Most of the 2 post lifts require 6" of concrete, which residential slabs don't have. That means breaking apart the floor where the posts will go, digging down, then repouring. Most 2 post lifts also need 220V, so you need to wire for that. Then installing a two post lift yourself is a major PITA, so budget on paying someone, they tend to charge $800-1000. If you order a 2 post lift, they expect you to either come and get it from the shipping depot, or have a fork lift at your house to remove it from the truck.

2 post lifts are better for wheels off work however.

4 post lifts are better for storage. They're portable, in that you don't have to bolt them down, however, if you decide to do so, residential slabs are thick enough. They run off of 110V, no need to rewire. You and a friend or two can install it yourself.

I went with a 4 post since I'll mostly be using it for storage, however it's been great for all the maintenance work I do as well. I recently installed my AWE exhaust and it was cake. There's plenty of space between the two decks to drop the transmission out if I decided to do a clutch too.

Max Jax are a great option if you don't have the ceiling height for a full sized lift. Be careful with where you put the posts though, they need a decent amount of concrete to anchor into. A friend put it too close to the wall and ended up cracking his slab...

Nice post, thanks for weighing in.

[migo1980]

I have a Bendpak HD9-XW love it. Works great for doing oil changes and exhaust changes. Next house I will do scissor probably since it makes wheel and suspension changes easier. Ask me anything if you want to know about the 4 post.

http://i57.tinypic.com/a1pblx.jpg

[Chandler]

I have a Bendpak HD9-XW love it. Works great for doing oil changes and exhaust changes. Next house I will do scissor probably since it makes wheel and suspension changes easier. Ask me anything if you want to know about the 4 post.

http://i57.tinypic.com/a1pblx.jpg

With the four post lift would I still be able to get under the center of the car? I believe most four post lifts are the roll on type meaning no. I have seen people roll on to them then put jack stands on the lift part - kinda odd I thought, but it would work I guess. I think a two post is for me. Unfortunately having a good slab may be a limitation. With the "portable" ones, I could cut into my driveway and pour a big block of conrete for each post.


You're not going to buy any lift for $800, even used.

I recently went through this decision process. I have 13.5' in my center bay, so plenty of space for a full sized lift. You need to decide what the primary use of the lift will be. Storage? Lots of wheels off work? Then you need to decide how portable you want it to be and how much you want to spend on installation.

Most of the 2 post lifts require 6" of concrete, which residential slabs don't have. That means breaking apart the floor where the posts will go, digging down, then repouring. Most 2 post lifts also need 220V, so you need to wire for that. Then installing a two post lift yourself is a major PITA, so budget on paying someone, they tend to charge $800-1000. If you order a 2 post lift, they expect you to either come and get it from the shipping depot, or have a fork lift at your house to remove it from the truck.

2 post lifts are better for wheels off work however.

4 post lifts are better for storage. They're portable, in that you don't have to bolt them down, however, if you decide to do so, residential slabs are thick enough. They run off of 110V, no need to rewire. You and a friend or two can install it yourself.

I went with a 4 post since I'll mostly be using it for storage, however it's been great for all the maintenance work I do as well. I recently installed my AWE exhaust and it was cake. There's plenty of space between the two decks to drop the transmission out if I decided to do a clutch too.

Max Jax are a great option if you don't have the ceiling height for a full sized lift. Be careful with where you put the posts though, they need a decent amount of concrete to anchor into. A friend put it too close to the wall and ended up cracking his slab...


2 Post sounds like it is for me. Though the 220V doesn't seem right. It looked like in the video ad for the max jax a man plugged it into a 15-20 amp outlet with a NEMA5-15p.

[gringoloco2000]

Looks good. I now want one more than I did before. Do you know how thick your concrete is? Any issues with the anchors? I read one bad review on Costco, but it sounded like the cement was faulty.


I have had a Maxjax for about 2 years now. Its a great lift. i would have gone a full size lift but my garage was a foot short. I have done stage 3 swaps with my b5s4, and a lot with other Audis on it. I will be doing my clutch soon on it for the b8.

I really have no complaints other than the lines sometimes get in the way when they are laying on the floor. I though about making it a more permanent install, but never got around to that.

http://oi61.tinypic.com/1zzosqr.jpg
http://oi58.tinypic.com/2vnq35c.jpg
http://oi60.tinypic.com/qnodfk.jpg
http://oi58.tinypic.com/1zz5ksi.jpg
http://oi58.tinypic.com/2w4wron.jpg

[Docwyte]

Max Jax runs on 110V. Most full sized two post lifts don't tho. Yes, plenty of space in the middle of a 4 post lift to remove a transmission. If you want to do wheels off work, you need to drive the car on the lift, then lift the car up off the ramps and support it with jackstands. Unless you spend additional money for a hydraulic bridge jack, which sits in between the two ramps and has two arms that reach out and lift that side of the car hydraulically. Those cost around $800 delivered.