For many car owners, their own garage overpass is not just a dream, but one of the most popular devices. Experienced auto mechanics know that it is almost impossible to get to the bottom of the car or the engine compartment without an overpass. And these parts of the car need constant repairs.
Of course, there is the option to rent certain time overpass or take the car to a repair shop for repairs. However, such options are quite expensive and quite impractical, since there are times when the vehicle cannot be transported due to serious damage. That is why we recommend that you seriously think about making your own overpass, the production of which is quite easy. In addition, it is better to spend one time on materials for an overpass than to spend a lifetime on expensive auto mechanic service or overpass repair.
What to do if it is not possible to make an inspection hole
To repair the chassis, undercarriage, or engine compartment, inspection holes are often used, which are convenient in small garages where a platform can be made to lift vehicle no possibility.
However, there are times when it is not possible to make a hole in the garage. For example, quite common problem for making an inspection hole is a level groundwater, which may be very close to the surface. Because of this phenomenon, additional waterproofing may be necessary to prevent water from penetrating into the pit. Otherwise, car repairs can easily turn into taking a not-so-pleasant, dirty, cold bath.
If your garage has such a problem or you simply don’t want to waste your time and effort on digging and finishing a hole, then the option of making a trestle is perfect for you. Nowadays, there is quite a wide variety of this design, among them two main types of overpasses can be distinguished:
Both the first and second overpass options have many varieties of design types. The type of construction is influenced by the size of the garage, the weight and type of car, financial capabilities and much more. That is why we will tell you about some of the most popular options for making a garage overpass.
DIY overpass in the garage
Many of us have seen stationary overpasses; as a rule, they are located on the side of the road so that a driver whose vehicle needs urgent repairs can troubleshoot problems. Making such a structure is not at all difficult; the main requirement is the availability of sufficient space. The materials can be used wooden beams, metal pipes, bricks and corners. If you want to make more durable design, then make it metal. If you do the work correctly, you can lift the car to a height of up to one meter.
To make a flyover in your garage you will need the following materials:
Important reminder! When making a structure for an overpass, take care of limiters that will not allow the car to drive further than necessary or roll back. Limiters can be either removable or retractable.
Options for homemade overpasses
The “rocking chair” is quite simple to manufacture; it is quite simple and can be made by almost any car owner. We all know the principle of operation of an ordinary children's swing; its mechanism is that, due to the overweight, one side is always higher than the other. To make a swing for your vehicle you need to complete similar work, you need to make a platform, one of the sides of which will rise when a car drives onto it. To prevent the car from overturning, support pillars are installed on the back of the platform, and special portable supports must be made on the front part, thanks to which the car will not roll down. The dimensions of the platform must be matched to the wheelbase and ground clearance of the vehicle.
You can see what the finished structure looks like in the video:
There are other options for manufacturing this design, one of the most common and economical options is the manufacture of a metal structure for partial immersion of a car. The great advantage of this device is that it does not take up much space in your garage, in addition, you can move it from the garage to the street or to another room with a hard floor surface. To make it you will need iron corners and metal for the platform, this can be either reinforcement or solid sheets of metal. As an exception, you can use wooden materials However, before using them, make sure they are intact and durable.
A car is a guarantee that it will be used for a long time and safely. And if for residents of large cities constant monitoring of the car’s condition is available at any time in any car service center, then in remote areas there are certain difficulties. To make their plight easier, many owners are looking for more simple ways preventive inspections of vehicles. In such cases, the overpass is built with your own hands.
Simple design
The design features of many cars require preventive inspection and repair of many components and mechanisms under the vehicle. If the groundwater level in the area allows, you can build a full-fledged inspection hole. However, its construction will require a lot of expenses, so many prefer Alternative option. In this case, a do-it-yourself overpass is a more profitable solution. If the garage is spacious, then it can be built from, for example, railway sleepers. True, it will be a massive structure that is quite difficult to move.
The simplest design is when the car can drive onto an overpass with its front or rear wheels. It consists of two elements (about 40 cm wide), which are welded from angle steel. From the side, such an overpass (it can be built quite quickly with your own hands) has the shape of a trapezoid; on the sides of its plane, it is best to make limiters - they will protect the car from driving off. It is important to remember that when driving a car onto such a structure, it is important to install chocks under the wheels - they will prevent the car from rolling down. And most importantly, the overpass must be installed on a flat surface.
Complex design
If the size of the plot allows, you can create a full-fledged overpass. Let's consider its main features.
1. The platform for the car must rise at least one meter above ground level.
2. The supports are made of steel from 80 to 100 mm, which are installed in pre-concrete pits.
3. A full-size overpass must be dug in with your own hands to a depth that is below the freezing depth of the soil.
It is equally important to choose high-quality and reliable materials. For example, the inclined part for driving in and the platform itself on which the car will stand is best created from a steel channel. It is very important to install end stops.
By the way, you can make the overpass more functional and versatile. For example, it can be used for both cars and trucks. In addition, you can provide a ladder, a step, and even a water drainage system - in this case, the structure can be used as a sink.
Calculation is important
Before you make an overpass with your own hands, it is important to correctly carry out all the calculations. To do this, you need to take into account the standard sizes of the elements used. It is important to take into account the safety margin - this will protect the installation from deformation during operation, in addition, it will be possible to inspect heavier vehicles. This structure can be completely welded, or it can consist of individual elements that will be connected with bolts.
Whatever overpass is used (built with your own hands from wood or other material or ready-made from the factory), the main thing is that it is reliable and safe to use.
Landscaping of a personal plot can be considered complete if for “ complete set» an overpass for car repairs will be built independently. The dizzying designs of overpasses amaze with their brevity and the ability to use the simplest metal products. Do you dream of making a flyover with your own hands? What could be more exciting!
“Personal car service” services
Almost every homeowner dreams of having their own personal plot attractive, practical and functional. And if the homeowner is also a passionate car enthusiast, then you simply cannot do without an overpass designed for on-site car repairs.
Even if you do not plan to service the car yourself, periodic inspection will help you identify problems in a timely manner and contact a professional workshop. To access the car, use special lifts, an inspection pit and an overpass. However, expensive special equipment and an inspection pit equipped according to all the rules are strictly the prerogative service centers, which requires significant material costs.
An overpass for a car, on the contrary, can be installed anywhere on the site, almost next to the potato beds, and mind you, with your own hands. You can make a car overpass for cars and trucks. The scope of use and application of such an overpass can be expanded and it will be possible to use the services of a “personal car service” at any time of the day or year.
Overpass structures
Structurally, the following types of overpasses are distinguished:
for partial car check-in
full-size overpass.
Naturally, depending on the size of the overpass structure and bearing capacity to withstand the load, these types of overpasses are used for a certain weight cars. The only condition will be to limit the size of the overpass for your existing passenger car or two.
The classic design of an overpass (practically from the words of a driving instructor) has a certain height, width and length of the working part, limited by a bevel, as well as on the sides of the walkway.
overpass designed for partial entry of cars
The overpass for partial entry of cars (portable and mini) is a lightweight portable structure consisting of separate parts that are not welded together. Portable and mini overpasses are installed without a foundation. Access to this overpass for subsequent vehicle inspection is possible with front or rear wheels.
This type of overpass for cars is easy to install and also easy to remove, allowing you to save space on the site. However, for a successful ride on the structure, the driver’s dexterity and dexterity will be required.
Main parameters of the overpass:
height – at least 1 m.
width – 2.5 m.
bevel length – 4.2 m.
Structurally, a portable or mini overpass consists of four parts.
The overpass is easily assembled and disassembled, and also transported to the required place, so for the sudden diagnosis of a capricious car, such a overpass is indispensable, especially in “ field conditions" In practice, sometimes it is necessary to make two overpasses in order to raise the front or rear of the car to the required height (clearance plus the height of the overpass).
This is what a self-made overpass used for a partial drive looks like.
full-size overpass
Of course, a full-size overpass is a more convenient and reliable structure, the construction of which requires working space. But a full-size overpass will more than recoup the costs of its construction in the future.
The main parameters of a full-size overpass are similar to the parameters of portable and mini overpasses:
height – 1 m or more
width up to 2.5 m.
length of the working part – 4-6 m.
the length of the bevels on both sides is 4.2 m.
Let’s make a reservation right away that the dimensions of a full-size overpass for passenger cars are not a constant value.
Therefore, a full-size overpass is made taking into account the safety margin and additional allowances, which will serve well in the future. In addition, a full-size overpass can be successfully used as an inspection overpass for a car by equipping an inspection hole.
How to make a car overpass with your own hands
Theoretically, you can make an overpass for a car from any available material. The materials used are boards, bricks and used tires. But such temporary measures can only be justified in extreme cases.
Therefore, for the main load-bearing elements and overpass tracks use rolled metal that can withstand significant daily loads. This is a metal channel, corners and a profile pipe. These types of rolled metal can withstand significant loads to bend.
how to make a mini overpass
To make a mini overpass you will need the following materials:
steel corner, thickness not less than 10 mm
metal rod.
as well as electrodes for welding and welding machine. We choose the shape of the mini overpass supports as a “trapezoid”, with the base 15-20 cm larger than the top. The access ladder is made of steel corners, onto which pieces of rod are evenly welded on both sides.
It is preferable to choose a corrugated surface of the rod so that the car wheels do not slip when going up and down the overpass.
The load-bearing elements of the overpass on which the ladder is attached must have a width of 45-50 cm. The car is secured with special gaskets that prevent the car from unintentionally moving out. After welding, the overpass structure is painted with anti-corrosion paint.
A mini overpass for car repairs is presented in this video.
how to make a full-size overpass
Initially, a site is selected on the site where there is no swelling of the soil, groundwater and soils do not have a water-saturated layer. Prepare holes for the base of the overpass - pillars or steel pipes, up to 10 cm in diameter.
The number of pipes for the base of a full-size overpass is calculated based on a preliminary working sketch. Pits with installed pipes are cemented. TO installed pipes or a channel is welded to the pillars to enhance the load-bearing capacity.
It is also recommended to use rolled metal (channels, angles and profile pipe). Then the rolling plane is made: reinforcement and cut rods are welded across the load-bearing elements on both sides.
The width of the rolling plane path must be at least 0.5 m. The resulting welded structure is placed on special supports of the required height (1 meter). To make the drive-in platform and stairs, use an L 50 corner welded with reinforcement. It is preferable to protect the edges of the paths with a corner, preventing the car from slipping.
A garage overpass is a very popular device. Many car enthusiasts periodically carry out technical inspections and repairs of their personal vehicles.
If visual inspection of the body or some car components can be performed without an overpass, then diagnosing the condition of the bottom and the components located under it is very difficult. This article will tell you how a garage overpass is made.
Types of garage overpass structures
For high-quality and comfortable repair and maintenance of your car, you need to properly organize workplace, especially to ensure its safety for humans. For this purpose, a variety of types are built, tippers or other devices are purchased.
An inspection hole for car repairs is made in the garage itself or simply in an area that can be:
- On a dacha area.
- On a personal plot.
When constructing such a structure, in order to strengthen the earthen base, you need to cover the inner layer of the device with bricks or sheath it with boards.
Advice: To make it easier for the driver to work, the descent into the pit should be laid out with steps and handrails should be attached.
A homemade overpass installed in the garage in the absence of an inspection hole also helps to improve the performance of work. Such designs may have different types, configurations and base.
An overpass, most often, is a special device that rises above the ground, serving for periodic inspection of the vehicle and, if necessary, repairs. The purpose of the device is the same as that of the inspection pit.
A homemade overpass is a necessary attribute of any garage. Very often there are circumstances when it is not possible to equip a pit.
This may be related:
- With close proximity to groundwater.
- Unfavorable soil characteristics.
In this case, making a car overpass will help you easily find a way out of your predicament.
The advantages of the design, compared to a conventional inspection hole, are:
- Availability of a larger area for work.
- Lots of light.
- More comfortable.
- No dampness.
- There is no darkness.
- The bridge for cars is not flooded by melt and groundwater.
- When performing work there is no need to stay in the ground for a long time.
For a garage, you can use the following options for overpasses:
- Portable.
- Having the appearance of a viewing hole.
- Made of brick.
- Constructed from sleepers.
For the manufacture of structures the following is selected:
- Wood.
- Metal.
Tip: The main feature of a homemade overpass is the presence solid foundation, which allows you to minimize the likelihood of the car falling. To make it, you should only choose quality materials high strength.
The overpass in the garage can be located:
- In the corner.
- Near the wall. The front of such a structure should be blocked by a fence that will prevent the machine from rolling away.
- The overpass can be a kind of continuation of the unhindered movement of the car from the parapet, which requires increasing its length.
Features of overpasses for gates
Based on the listed advantages, car enthusiasts often prefer to use a homemade overpass over conventional inspection pits, which allows them to conveniently solve many problems and repair breakdowns that have occurred in the car.
Structures can be made with bases of varying complexity:
- Welded products require special equipment and welding skills.
- A simpler device is called a “ladder”, which consists of two small ladders made of wood. The car drives its wheels onto them, and the part needed for inspection rises to a certain height. On such a trestle it is possible to carry out the required volume repair work.
The construction is not so difficult to do on your own. To do this, you will need to prepare boards approximately 50 millimeters thick and square bars 100 millimeters long on each side.
The optimal height of such devices is 15 centimeters, which is enough to complete repair work in full. The portable overpass allows all driver manipulations to be completely safe.
After driving onto the created plane, the car is located in a horizontal position, which ensures the stability of such a structure.
Advice: When on an overpass, the driver needs to be on the safe side: put the car on the handbrake, and put any stop under the wheels that will impede movement.
How to make a flyover from various materials
For car owners in rural areas or spending a lot of time in the country suitable option designs from brickwork on cement mortar. The design has the form of a trapezoid with a width equal to the distance between the wheels of the car.
Disadvantages of such an overpass:
- We need a site for its construction.
- Over time, the brick will begin to deteriorate.
- To free the site, the structure will need to be dismantled, which will require significant effort and time from the owner.
Overpass made of railway sleepers
The overpass can be assembled from railway sleepers.
In this case, two bases are laid out by laying sleepers on top of each other in the form of a slide, as shown in the photo. Tracks for driving are laid across.
To ensure the reliability of the structure, it is fastened with staples.
Disadvantages of such an overpass:
- Not everyone has the required supply of sleepers.
- The sleepers are quite heavy, which makes it impossible for one person to assemble and disassemble such a structure.
- After the completion of the repair work, you will need a lot of space to store sleepers.
When constructing this structure on your site, they can be left in the open air. Wooden sleepers are usually impregnated with creosote, which protects the wood from rotting.
Metal overpasses are more popular.
How to make a metal overpass
The metal overpass is universal. It can also be used in city garages.
To make the design you will need:
- Rolled metal.
- Welding machine.
- Any fittings.
- Grinder with a set of cutting wheels.
- Hardware.
- Metal paint
If desired, the overpass can be made collapsible, which will allow it to be quickly assembled if necessary.
The instructions are as follows:
- Four base stands are assembled, approximately 50 centimeters high. To ensure stability, the sides should be assembled in the form of a trapezoid and connected to them of the same length with crossbars from an equal angle 63x5. Bridges can be made from a 40x4 corner and reinforcement with a diameter of 12 millimeters. The bridges are an ordinary metal ladder.
- Two bridges for driving a car and two bridges for placing a car during repairs are made. The minimum length of the latter is calculated by measuring the distance between the centers of the car's wheels and adding a small allowance to it.
- All elements are bolted together, which allows you to quickly assemble or disassemble the structure.
If there is very little space in the garage, you can make a mini-overpass that allows you to partially lift the car, and its price is minimal. To make the most basic version of a mini-overpass, you can use wood or metal.
To work you will need:
- Board 50 millimeters thick.
- Wooden slats with a cross section of 100x100 millimeters. The lifting height of the vehicle depends on the cross-sectional dimensions.
The order of assembly of the structure:
- A block is fixed on the top of the board, which acts as a restriction on the movement of the wheels.
- On the other side two are attached wooden bars: one a little further from the middle, the other from the edge of the board.
At least two of these devices are needed, and four elements are needed to lift the entire car off the ground. The operating principle of the overpass is as follows.
When installing the structure under a car wheel, it will rest on the ground at two points:
- The front part of the board and a block fixed closer to the middle.
- After the car wheel hits the board, the center of gravity will shift closer to the end of the board, its front edge will rise, and the rear part will lower.
- Making bars of the same cross-section will allow the board to take a horizontal position.
Tip: The length of the board should be chosen so that it does not hit the bottom of the car.
- The wheels remaining on the ground are fixed with special stop blocks.
The video shows in detail what types of overpasses there are and how to make them.
If you own your own car and garage, but prefer to at least occasionally look under your car yourself, then the following is for you. Typically, inexperienced drivers prefer to carry out inspections only at a service station and give their hard-earned money to “specialists”, but even carrying out minor work on changing oil, consumables, monitoring the condition of the units and mechanisms of your car can save your budget. A do-it-yourself overpass made in a garage is the best way out of this situation.
Let's look at the statistics of the survey on the topic, is it difficult? 66% of respondents answered that it is quite simple; 14% believe that it is simple, but with minor problems; 16% said it is not easy and will require skills in this area; for 4% this is a very difficult task.
Depending on the size of the garage and the model of the car, you can choose an overpass option that will meet your needs.
Overpasses can be divided into 2 types:
- for full vehicle entry;
- for partial lifting of the vehicle.
The first type will provide more comfortable conditions car maintenance work than the second.
Overpass options for full vehicle entry
Such a statement will be correct from the point of view of the meaning of this word. But the function of the pit is the same as that of the overpass - to provide access to the bottom of the car.
The advantage of the pit is that it will not occupy usable space garage.
If the groundwater level in the area where your garage is located is high, then consider inspection hole inappropriate.
Otherwise you will have to do extra drainage system(which is very troublesome and expensive), and the bottom of your car will be subject to constant corrosion due to moisture that will collect in the hole.
As a result, you will have to fill it up and consider other options.
Brick overpass
This option is suitable for those who have a garage in a rural area or in the country. This design is made by conventional brick laying on cement mortar– along the width of the distance between the wheels of the car in the form of a trapezoid.
The disadvantages of this type of overpass are obvious: a site is required for its construction; brick may deteriorate over time; If you need to vacate the site, dismantling the structure will require significant effort and time from you.
Overpass made of railway sleepers
This overpass is assembled from several railway sleepers, like a children's construction set.
You can lay out 2 bases by stacking sleepers one on top of the other in the form of a slide. Lay tracks across for driving.
To prevent the structure from moving apart during the repair of your car, it must be secured with staples. The disadvantages of this overpass are obvious.
Firstly, not everyone has sleepers in stock. Secondly, sleepers are very heavy; one person will not be able to assemble and disassemble such a structure. Thirdly, after completing automotive repair work, you need a lot of space to store sleepers.
Of course, if you are building this design on garden plot, you can leave them in the open air. Sleepers are usually impregnated with creosote, which protects the wood from rotting.
Metal option
If the previous options are possible subject to availability land plot, then the metal overpass can be considered as universal - it can also be used in urban environments.
To make it you will need the following tools and materials:
- rolled metal;
- welding machine;
- fittings;
- grinder with cutting wheels;
- bolts with nuts;
- metal paint.
If desired, you can make the overpass collapsible. This will save space by quickly assembling it when necessary.
Its design is quite simple. It is necessary to assemble 4 base posts with a height of approximately 50 cm. To ensure stability, it is better to assemble the sides in the shape of a trapezoid and connect them with crossbars of the same length.
A 63 corner (5 mm thick) is suitable for this. To make bridges, you can use 40 angles (4 mm thick) and reinforcement (12 mm is suitable).
The bridges are a metal ladder. It will be necessary to make 2 bridges for driving in and 2 bridges on which the car will stand during repairs. You can calculate the minimum length of the latter yourself by measuring the distance between the centers of the wheels of your car and adding a small allowance.
After the individual elements are ready, they need to be bolted together. In order to provide additional rigidity to the entire structure, you can combine the racks with each other. Bolted connection will allow in short time assemble or disassemble the entire structure.
Construction of an overpass for a garage
If there is a complete shortage of space, a way out of the situation can be found in the manufacture of mini-overpasses. They refer to overpasses for partial lifting of a car. Of course, working in this case will be less comfortable than with the options discussed above, but much more convenient than under a jacked-up car.
Several options for mini-overpasses
The most basic version of a mini-overpass can be made of wood.
To do this, you will need a board (you can take 50 mm thick), which is wider than the wheels, and wooden slats square section (for example, 100x100 mm). The height of the cross section will determine how high the car can rise. With the parameters recommended above wooden products the lifting height will be 150 mm.
The structure is assembled as follows.
- A block is attached to the top of the back of the board, which will serve as a limiting wheel travel. 2 square-section slats are attached to the bottom: one is slightly further from the middle, the second is on the edge of the board. The structure is ready.
- You need at least 2 such devices (or 4 if you need to lift the entire car off the ground). This mini-overpass works very simply. When you place the structure under the wheel of your car, it rests on the ground at 2 points: the front edge of the board and a block that is secured near the middle.
- Once the car's wheels hit the board and the center of gravity moves closer to the rear edge of the board, the front edge will rise and the rear will lower. Since the supports were made of a block with the same cross-section, the board will take a horizontal position.
- In this case, the length of the board should be such as to prevent it from hitting the bottom of your car. All that remains is to secure the wheels that remain on the ground with stops and blocks. As you can see, such a flyover is very easy to make with your own hands. You can make a mini-overpass from metal. Its design will resemble the metal overpass discussed above, only in a smaller version. It also consists of supports on which bridges are attached.
- It is advisable to weld limiters along the edges of the bridges. This will protect your car from slipping.
- One bridge is located at an angle from the ground for entry, the other is horizontal (if you look at the structure from the side, the outline will be a trapezoid). You can focus on the following dimensions: base length – 80 cm; the length for the drive is approximately 45 cm, the width of the bridges is about 40 cm. The entire structure can be assembled from a 25 mm corner (less than that is not recommended). The approximate weight of the structure will be 20-30 kg. A travel limiter for the wheel must be welded at the rear.
More complex, but effective option mini-overpasses can be made according to the swing-rocking principle. To assemble it you will need welding work. It will be necessary to make 2 frames in the shape of an isosceles triangle. The width of the frames is selected depending on the width of the wheels of your car, and the length of the bridge is selected depending on the length of the car.
To ensure structural rigidity, the frames must be fastened together. To ensure stability of the structure, it is necessary to use spacer stands under the side that will be above the ground. It should be taken into account that for greater stability the center of gravity of the car should be closer to the apex of the isosceles triangle.
When working on overpasses, you should always remember to follow safety measures. The car must be put on the hand brake and the wheels must be secured with chocks.
Let's summarize. Have you considered various options and approaches to how you can make an overpass with your own hands. Depending on the available space, materials, finances and desires, you can choose any option for your garage.
This can be either a solid structure or a collapsible version of a metal overpass. Perhaps it will be enough for you to make a wooden mini-overpass. In any case, the choice will be yours.
