Problem jacking a car then placing jack stand in same place.

[atikovi]

Problem is when lifting a car with the jack at the factory jack point, you obviously can't put a jack stand there afterwards. Usually I can place the jack on the frame rail or other point under the car and stick a jack stand at the regular jack point, but got this Mercedes and it has plastic covers on the bottom of the car so I can't use a jack there. Any ideas for combo jack and stands or comments on these possible solutions I found?

Safe T Jack was my first choice but think they are out of business and are probably pretty expensive if you can find them.

https://safejacks.com/products/the-rennstand-by-safe-jack lets you use your current floor jack with their unique stand.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Powerbuilt...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649 All in one bottle jack and stand looks good but is way to tall to get under the car at the rocker panel jack points.

Any other suggestions? The second one at $250/pair seems the best choice but is 2 weeks back ordered.

 

[rlitman]

I usually ******** the pumpkin and then set the stands at the support points.

 

[atikovi]

I'm working at the front, but most of the cars I work with say not to lift from the differential, assuming it's not FWD.

 

[LXCam]

******** the lower control arms as close to the knuckle as possible one side at a time.

 

[atikovi]

Thanks, but the repair manual says not to lift car from any suspension member.

 

[LXCam]

Thanks, but the repair manual says not to lift car from any suspension member.

Well then it sounds like you're up **** creek without a paddle than eh?


Bud it'll be fine. Now think about this. The lower control arm carries the entire weight of the car plus some when cornering at a high rate of speed or braking for that matter. Using it as a lift point static isn't an issue but you do need to use some common sense here too.

 

[rlitman]

Thanks, but the repair manual says not to lift car from any suspension member.

Then there’s usually a skid plate behind the engine that the transmission mounts to.

 

[ItsNemo]

Front and rear subframes can usually be jacked from and then put the jack at the pinch weld. Alternatively, jack mid point on the pinch weld between front/rear (there's usually a spot) and then jack stands in the front/rear pinch points.

 

[lakeroadster]

Thanks, but the repair manual says not to lift car from any suspension member.

And Mercedes won't approve any other lift points other than what the manual specifies.

Typically I too lift the vehicle using a floor jack from the lower control arm, as close to the wheel as possible.

I never lift from the differential at the rear, just the axle tube as close to the springs as possible.

Your best option though... buy a 2 post lift.

 

[joe_padavano]

Bud it'll be fine. Now think about this. The lower control arm carries the entire weight of the car plus some when cornering at a high rate of speed or braking for that matter. Using it as a lift point static isn't an issue but you do need to use some common sense here too.

That is not necessarily correct. A strut type suspension (which probably applies to most newer cars) carries the weight of the car ABOVE the knuckle. The lower control arm only carries loads in the plane of the arm. Note that this also applies to 1960s Ford products with the spring above the upper control arm, like Mustangs and Falcons.

If you can jack directly under the lower ball joint so that the load is directly in line with the strut, you will be fine.

 

[LXCam]

Joe,

Being this is a merc these pictures are indicative of a typical rwd suspension. The stamped steel lower control arm is the rear and the cast the front. Both of these componants are most capable of supporting the weight of the car.

 

[kkasson]

German cars with the plastic side jack points typically have a designated front and rear lift point somewhere within the plastic covers. Like this W204, for example: https://www.pelicanparts.com/techar..._Your_W204/04-BASICS-Jacking_Up_Your_W204.htm

You sometimes need a pretty low profile jack to reach them.

What model are you working on?

 

[trekgod3]

I bought a crossbeam for my jack. I roll it in from the front and position the crossbeam ends under the lower control arms, jack it up and place the jack stands in the recommended locations just behind the front wheels. I just used this method to change the oil in my 2012 Nissan Frontier this morning.

 

[American Locomotive]

They often say to not jack up by suspension members, because they move and can slide off the jack. Put the jack as close as you can to the ball joint, and it will be fine. Or jack where the lower control arms mounts so the subframe. Or jack by the subframe. Or jack at anything substantial.

 

[Slupie]

Year and Model of the car would help. I know that BMWs have front and rear jacking points, but the jack stands go under the jack blocks by the rocker panels. Mercedes might have similar, google it and see what you come up with. Manuals are about useless these days since majority of the population doesn't even refill their own windshield washer fluid.

Here you go, about half way down for 2012 C300 https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/240470-jack-points-where.html

https://www.google.com/search?q=jac...X&ved=0ahUKEwj4qpSxkejYAhUHvFMKHVPZDqEQsAQIRg

 

[atikovi]

2011 S class.

 

[Slupie]

2011 S class.

Few minutes on google

https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w221-74/

https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w221/578940-jack-points.html

https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w221/496947-how-does-everyone-jack-up-there-s-class.html

https://mbworld.org/forums/mb-coupe...-jack-purchase-your-mb-coupes-cabriolets.html

 

[rsanter]

On my Mercedes l Jack from the front crossmember
Have yet to have a problem

 

[jd_1138]

Too bad cars don't have frames anymore.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Easy solution, I keep a few 12-24" lengths of 2x4 in the service truck right by the jack. it makes a nice cushion for the pinch weld or stamped cheese crossmember.

 

[joe_pinehill1]

Well then it sounds like you're up **** creek without a paddle than eh?


Bud it'll be fine. Now think about this. The lower control arm carries the entire weight of the car plus some when cornering at a high rate of speed or braking for that matter. Using it as a lift point static isn't an issue but you do need to use some common sense here too.

do what this poster says.

 

[atikovi]

It's got 8 or 9 inch wide wheels with 255 tires on the front. Jack will only reach the middle of the control arm.

 

[TCB]

http://www.jackpointjackstands.com/

Another option - expensive but looks interesting, similar to the Safe Jacks you linked to in the first post. Not height-adjustable though

 

[Paulski]

Are you working on something that doesn't need the wheels removed? Would ramps work?

 

[atikovi]

http://www.jackpointjackstands.com/

Another option - expensive but looks interesting, similar to the Safe Jacks you linked to in the first post. Not height-adjustable though

Saw that but lack of adjustable height is no good. Plus they look bulky to store and must be pretty heavy to carry.

 

[buffalobill]

It's got 8 or 9 inch wide wheels with 255 tires on the front. Jack will only reach the middle of the control arm.

Put your jack under the lower control arm mount, front or back doesnt matter.

 

[Tink]

Look up Safe T Jacks.
I have a version that was sold by sears years ago and recently bougt a Safe T Jack brand version last year just to have four stands. The Jacks are different but fortunately the jack stand parts are ccompatible with either jack.

 

[atikovi]

Look up Safe T Jacks.

That was my first choice until I saw it weighs 78 pounds. Don't have a garage at the house and keep my jack inside in a closet. Way too heavy to carry out to the driveway. My aluminum jack is only 30 pounds.

 

[Tink]

Sorry, I didn't notice the link. As far as I know they are still in business. And yes they are heavy and somewhat difficult to maneuver.

 

[MikeF2316]

I always have pieces of 2x4 and 4x4 handy. There is always a spot to lift on. Subframes near where they mount to the car body is one place I use alot. Subframes at or near the control arm or engine mounts are another good place. With a piece of wood as a cushion and to spread out the load, I've never caused any damage.

 

[1998chevt]

A chunk of that plastic Trex decking material carved up right to fit the jack and pinch welds usually works pretty good. Stronger and more consistent that most timber plus won't rot over time.

 

[atikovi]

This is one of four lifting points on the car. No pinch weld.

And the front control arm.

 

[buffalobill]

Put the jack right under the strut, whats the big problem here?

 

[f4 plt]

I have a set of 4 jackpoint jackstands and could not be happier. I store them on a small roller cart. They are not that bad moving around and while not adjustable I find the height not a problem and is easily minimized by the ability to use factory jack points especially on the newer cars with few recommended jacking points

 

[Slupie]

This is one of four lifting points on the car. No pinch weld.

And the front control arm.

Did you even look at the links I posted? I think you are making it little bit more complicated than it really needs to be. I have been lifting every BMW I have owned (3 over the span of 17 years), some Toyota's and Nissan's by the correct lifting points under the cross member and putting the jack stands where the factory jack goes without ill effects. Save yourself a lot of effort and do what others have done with great success.

 

[Lynden]

How about this idea....

 

[vavet]

Speaking of jacks, remember proper capitalization is important.
“I helped my Uncle ******** a horse” has a completely different meaning than the same words without the U and J capitalized.

 

[Major Ramifications]

What is the other vehicle in front of the Mercedes that we can only see the lower rear of?

 

[WhiffySpark]

******** the subframes. Don’t over complicate it.

 

[shanny19]

Speaking of jacks, remember proper capitalization is important.
“I helped my Uncle ******** a horse” has a completely different meaning than the same words without the U and J capitalized.

You win the forum today. Thanks