How to Assemble a Lifetime Backboard & Rim

Lifetime makes a variety of athletic products, including basketball backboards and rims. The kits include all the hardware required to put a backboard and rim together. All you need are a couple of wrenches and a set of pliers. The Lifetime website (lifetime.com) has a link to download assembly instructions for every product, including the Lifetime backboard and rim. These instructions include sketches detailing each piece of hardware and illustrating how the backboard and rim are assembled. Two adults are required to assemble a Lifetime backboard and rim, so grab a friend and get started.

Things You'll Need

  • Wrenches (1/2 and 7/16 inches)
  • Pliers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Gather all of the hardware included with your Lifetime backboard and rim. Take the 4 7/8-inch U-bolt, which resembles the letter "U," and insert it through the small holes in the left and right backboard brackets. Rest the top of the U-bolt in the bracket notches so that the U-bolt legs face down. Insert a 1/4-by-2 3/4-inch hex bolt at each end of the brackets to connect. Seal each with a 1/2-by-2 5/16-inch galvanized spacer and cap with a 1/4-inch center-lock nut.

    • 2

      Take a pair of 5/16-inch washers, 7/16-inch rubber washers and 5/16-by-2 1/4-inch tap bolts, in that order, and insert into the two lower holes on the back side of the Lifetime rim. Fasten to the back of the rim with two 5/16-inch hex T-nuts, but do not over-tighten.

    • 3

      Turn the backboard over so that the back side is on top. Insert the rim support channel in the recessed area at the bottom center of the backboard. Insert a 4 7/8-inch U-bolt into the upper holes. Take the two 5/16-inch jam nuts and thread onto the U-bolt, connecting the rim to the backboard. Take two 5/16-inch flanged nylock nuts and attach in the holes under the backboard to firmly mount the rim. Cap the nylock nuts with two 5/16-by-2 1/4-inch tap bolts.

    • 4

      Turn the backboard and rim over upright. Take the two compression springs and slide each onto a 4 7/8-inch U-bolt. Top the compression springs with a spring retainer plate, followed by two 5/16-inch flanged nylock nuts, then tightly fasten.

    • 5

      Turn the backboard around with the back side showing. Take the two backboard brackets in the middle and pull the right one in the right direction and the left one in the left direction. Stop when each bracket is even with the hole on each side. Attach the brackets with the screws marked "ADQ" in the assembly package. Turn the backboard around to the front side. Hook the net into each slot beneath the rim until the basket completely encircles the rim.

    • 6

      Mount the backboard and rim. Attach to a roof, wall or pole using a mounting bracket kit with a universal extension bracket. Order the kit for the mounting location of your choice from Lifetime. Follow the instructions and firmly secure to the roof, wall or pole before beginning play.