when i put it on my budy's 2 post lift i drive into pos. and jack up front with floor jack, then slide arms under, and lower onto pads, his has different heigth pads you can make taller or shorter, then do the same for the rear, as far as alignment, i did the day on the phone thing as well with very little luck, finally i drive it on the lift so if damaged it's my fault, and with eurothane front it's pretty hard to damage other than paint