Alignment Lifts: How to Choose a 4 Post Alignment Lift or Alignment Rack

Quick answer: An alignment lift, also called an alignment rack, is a 4 post lift with level runways, front turntables and rear slip plates, so the wheels can move freely while a technician measures and adjusts the angles. For most shops the choice comes down to capacity, open front or standard design, whether a rolling bridge jack is included, and whether the runway length and width suit the vehicles you align. Pair the lift with a wheel alignment machine that is rated to work on it.

Compare the racks we carry on our alignment lifts for sale page, and the aligners on our wheel alignment machines page.

Why a dedicated alignment lift?

A wheel aligner can only measure what the lift lets it measure. If the runways are not level with each other, or the wheels cannot move as the technician adjusts toe and camber, the readings drift. An alignment lift solves three problems at once:

• Level runways give the aligner a consistent reference plane.
• Turntables under the front wheels let the steering swing for caster readings without scrubbing the tire.
• Slip plates under the rear wheels let the suspension settle as adjustments are made.

Because it is a 4 post design, the same lift also handles oil changes, inspections and storage. Add a rolling jack and it handles brake and suspension work too.

Types of alignment lifts

Standard 4 post alignment lift

The most common alignment rack. The vehicle drives on from the rear and the front is closed by a cross beam. Examples include the Olympic 4PHDXLA-12, a 12,000 lb lift with integrated slip plates and front turntables, and the Olympic 4PHDXLA-14, rated at 14,000 lb with a 70.9 inch lifting height and 21.65 inch runways.

Open front alignment lift

An open front lift has no cross beam at the front, so technicians can walk straight up to the front wheels and longer vehicles can pull through. The Olympic 4PHDXLA-11 (11,000 lb) and 4PHDXLA-15 (15,000 lb) are open front designs with slip plates and turntables built into the runways.

Alignment lifts with a rolling jack included

Some lifts ship with a rolling jack so wheels free work is covered from the start. The Katool KT-4H150 is a 15,000 lb 4 post alignment lift that includes a KT-RJ60 6,000 lb rolling jack. The Fortisky FL-110AL is an 11,000 lb alignment lift that comes with a 7,000 lb rolling jack.

Built in scissor jacks

The Olympic 4PXLA-10 takes a different approach, with scissor jacks built into the runways instead of a separate bridge jack. It is rated at 10,000 lb, lists a 112 inch drive through width and 84.89 inches of clearance under the runways, and is designed for dual wheel trucks and wide cars.

Heavy duty truck alignment lifts

For trucks, buses and heavy equipment, the Olympic Big Rig alignment lifts come in 22,000 lb, 27,000 lb and 33,000 lb versions, each listed with one 9,000 lb rolling bridge jack included.

How to choose an alignment rack

1. Capacity. Size the lift for the heaviest vehicle you plan to align, not the average one. Long bed pickups and loaded vans push past 10,000 lb lifts quickly.
2. Runway length and wheelbase. The turntables need to line up with the front wheels and the slip plates with the rear. Check that the range covers your shortest and longest wheelbase.
3. Runway width and track width. Wide runways suit dual rear wheel trucks. Narrow cars need the inner edges close enough to stay on the plates.
4. Open front or standard. Open front lifts improve access and through traffic. Standard lifts are simpler and common in general repair bays.
5. Bridge jack or rolling jack. Decide whether you need one included or will add one later.
6. Ceiling height and bay length. Allow for the lift height, the tallest vehicle and the approach ramps.
7. Aligner compatibility. Confirm the alignment machine works with the lift. Some aligners, such as the Katool KT-AV9 and KT-AV6, are listed to work on 2 post and scissor lifts, while camera based 3D systems usually expect a 4 post rack. Our guide to choosing a wheel alignment machine covers this in detail.

Rolling jacks and bridge jacks

A rolling jack, also called a rolling bridge jack, sits across the runways and rolls along them. Once the car is on the lift, the jack raises the body or axle so the wheels hang free. That turns an alignment lift into a full service lift for brakes, tires and suspension.

Fit matters. Many rolling jacks are designed for a specific runway profile. The Katool KT-RJ70 (7,000 lb) is listed for the Katool KT-4H110, KT-4H950 and KT-4H850, the KT-RJ60 (6,000 lb) for the KT-4H150, and the KT-RJ50 (5,000 lb) for the KT-4H110. On the Olympic side, the YZRCJ-7 is a 7,000 lb adjustable width bridge jack listed for Olympic 4 post lifts with the J shaped inner runway track, and the HLCJ-14 is a 7,000 lb center bridge jack made for the 4PHDXLA-14. Check the jack listing against your lift before you order. See more in our lift accessories.

Alignment lift vs scissor lift for alignments

Scissor alignment lifts take up less floor space and leave the area around the car open, but they cost more to install and some need a pit or recess. A 4 post alignment lift is simpler to install on a flat floor, doubles as a storage lift, and works with a wide range of aligners. If you are weighing scissor lifts, read our car scissor lift guide.

Signs your shop is ready for an alignment rack

• You send alignments out to another shop and lose the labor and the customer visit.
• You sell tires and suspension parts and want to offer the alignment in the same ticket.
• Your current aligner runs on a general lift and readings vary from car to car.
• You need a bay that handles alignments, inspections and wheels free brake work without moving the car.

If two or more of these fit, a dedicated alignment lift usually earns its floor space.

Plan the bay before you buy

Measure the bay length with the approach ramps attached, check the ceiling clearance at full rise, and leave room around the lift for the aligner cabinet, camera beam or targets. Confirm power for both the lift and the aligner. Our ceiling height, concrete and power guide and the article on wheel alignment machine cost cover the line items shops often miss.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an alignment lift and a regular 4 post lift?

An alignment lift adds front turntables and rear slip plates and is built to keep the runways level, so a wheel aligner can measure and adjust the angles accurately. A regular 4 post lift is meant for storage and general service.

Do I need a bridge jack on an alignment lift?

Not for the alignment itself, but a rolling bridge jack lets you lift the wheels free for brake, tire and suspension work on the same lift.

What capacity alignment lift should I buy?

Choose a rating above the heaviest vehicle you plan to align. Shops that see heavy pickups and vans often choose 12,000 to 15,000 lb lifts, and truck shops look at the Big Rig range.

What is an open front alignment lift?

It is an alignment lift with no front cross beam, which improves access to the front wheels and lets longer vehicles pull through.

Can I use any wheel aligner on any alignment lift?

Not always. Check that the aligner supports the lift type, runway length and camera or target sightlines before you buy both.