<VV> Scizzors lifts

[Robert Marlow - Vairtec]

At 03:54 PM 5/2/2008, Clark Hartzel wrote:

>One thing I must mention however is the fact that the center of 
>gravity on a Corvair
>is about a foot ahead of the rear wheel.  If you support the car on its
>normal jack pad area it is precariously close to falling backwards off
>the lift.

Chose to ignore Clark at your peril.  I once demonstrated this 
condition to a friend, using the friend's Corvair.  He thought I was 
nuts for suggesting that it might fall off the lift.  (And this was 
not a scissors lift in a home garage, this was a commercial two-post 
four-arm lift in a commercial shop.)  Anyway, he had removed the 
front tires and was going to drop the crossmember next.  I suggested 
supporting the rear end of the car, and demonstrated the need by 
lifting the front of the car a quarter-inch off the front lift pads, 
using literally one finger under the front bumper!

If you remove the front suspension assembly, and the trunk is empty, 
watch out!  If the car is still on the lift after you have removed 
these things, you will have proven that the car has a full tank of gas.

--Bob