Lifetime Products has the best customer service of any basketball system manufacturer. A team of Lifetime experts is standing by to answer your questions about assembly and provide resources to resolve any problems. Lifetime customer service can be contacted at our customer service page, customercare@lifetime.com, or 1-800-225-3865.
While you assemble your hoop, you may have similar questions to previous customers. Here you will find a list of frequently asked questions about basketball assembly, and how to troubleshoot them.
Q: How do I safely unseat my basketball poles?
A: Safe separation of basketball poles is performed using the drop method, which involves a series of safe, controlled drops of the pole to unseat the segments. The following video contains a detailed walkthrough of the process. Please note that this method should only be used with round poles 3.5 inches in diameter or larger. Do not use with square poles or poles less than 3.5 inches in diameter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WNdppuh7F8
Q: How do I use centerlock nuts?
A: Centerlock nuts are designed to be extremely secure, so that they remain in place through vibrations caused by thousands of impacts from the ball on the backboard and rim. To install centerlock nuts, it is important to use properly sized wrenches and apply enough torque to secure the nut onto the bolt. The following video demonstrates how to perform this operation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqX8v_LBIJk
Q: Why won’t my self-tapping screws drill through the metal at the desired location?
A: Self-tapping screws require adequate torque to install. Using a drill that is low quality, outdated, incorrectly suited, or not sufficiently charged can result in the screw not being able to install. It is also necessary to apply force into the screw while drilling by pushing in. With the proper drill and force, the self-tapping screws will install easily. The following video demonstrates how to perform this operation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkDY0hqlJ9s
Q: Why won’t the bolt fit through the holes for the extension arms or backboard brackets?
A: Sometimes powder coating can build up during the powder coating process, thickening the holes and making it harder for a bolt to pass through. There is a simple fix for this: start the bolt through the holes and rock the bolt in a circular motion to ream out the excess powder coating. The following videos demonstrate how to perform this operation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTc4RIeUmys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY20YIN2qVc
Q: Why can’t I tighten the nuts/bolts that attach the pole bracket to the pole?
A: The bracket encloses one end of the bolt, making it difficult to maneuver a wrench for tightening. The bolt can still be tightened from the other side of the pole, which is unimpeded by the bracket. The following video demonstrates how to perform this operation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i56LzKg88s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXhSg4b3W5s
Q: I can’t remove an axle from a portable base. Do I need a new base or a whole new system?
A: If the system needs to be disassembled or if the pole was installed backwards and needs to be removed, the axle can be detached using a flat head screwdriver and a mallet. Using the screwdriver, prop the axle up over the lip of the base that it sits in and then tap the axle out using a bolt/screwdriver and a rubber mallet. The following video demonstrates how to perform this operation:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gr4iUNH5WG8
Q: I can’t assemble the Power Lift because the gas spring is fully extended. Do I need a new spring that is not extended?
A: The gas spring is meant to extend and contract, so an extended spring is not a problem. If you raise the hoop to 10 feet during assembly, the rear lifter arms will line up and assembly can be completed. The following videos demonstrate how to perform this operation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ors6kMvPHQ4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1Pwql7JRhM
Q: How do I assemble and adjust a telescoping pole?
A: The top segment of the telescoping pole comes already installed inside the middle segment and does not need to be separated. If they are separated, the top segment can be reattached to the middle segment by sliding it up through the bottom of the middle segment. The following videos demonstrate how to perform this operation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_uTlfvk_zU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNZSNR0NviE
Q: Why aren’t my Double Shot sensors working?
A: The most common cause of sensor errors is that the nets were installed upside-down, and the thicker, smaller-spaced loops are incorrectly at the top of the net, blocking the sensors. The thinner, larger spaced loops should be at the top, as they don’t block the sensors.
Watch the assembly video carefully to see proper installation of the product: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_uTlfvk_zU
There are also additional assembly tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNZSNR0NviE
Other causes of this problem may be that the unit is still in test mode (it will flash all 88s on the display and beep when a sensor detects anything), the sensitivity is turned too low, or the particle board raised up when tightening the screws on the sensor (the sensors need to be completely flush against the board).
Q: How do the Y-brackets fit onto a steel-framed backboard?
A: The Y-brackets rest on top of the steel frame, not the backboard itself. They don’t sit flush with the backboard. The following video shows how this connection works:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqTCuV7GUK8
Q: Why doesn’t the bolt fit through the hole in the pole brace?
A: Usually, this is because the pole brace is installed backwards. The hole in the pole brace is smaller on the side that is supposed to attach to the base than the hole on the pole side. The following photos demonstrate the size difference:
Q: Why don’t the pole braces fit towards the pole?
A: This happens when the base is installed upside-down. Flip the base over and the braces should fit with the pole. Your product’s assembly video will show the proper way to install the unit.
Q: My Action Grip handle no longer locks into place at different heights. What’s wrong?
A: Over time, the spring inside the Action Grip handle can get dislodged or jammed. Simply remove the handle and put the trigger spring back into place, then re-install the handle. The following video demonstrates this operation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbTc86uVxyc
If you have other questions or problems during your Lifetime Basketball System assembly process, please reach out to customer service at our customer service page, customercare@lifetime.com, or 1-800-225-3865.