I'm new to MBnz and this whole unibody thing freaks me out. I have jackstands and access to a floorjack, but would just feel more comfortable with it on ramps. Plus I think I would get more working room. What do yall think? TIA, Alex

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"Frau Blue Car" 1980 240D think Frau Bluker, cue the horses, formerly known as "China" from JimmyL
"Gunther" 1982 300D.....Turbo!! A/C!! Sunroof!!
"Fraulein" 1975 240D----Donated to NPR

On an MB without SLS I think you'll be better off with jack stands and a good floor jack. If you have SLS, ramps in addition to the stands are good since you need to have the rear suspension compressed to test and adjust it.

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Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

It depends on what you are doing but if at all possable I use ramps. I only use jack stands when I need to have a wheel off for something. Cars were designed to be on their tires and this is where they are the most stable so I go with that in mind.

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1983 300SD
200000miles

I 2nd what Phil said. I've had a couple of scary incidents with jackstands. The base on them isn't really wide enough, and they can start tilting on you and fall right over on their side if the body shifts laterally. I use big SUV jackstands and I still don't feel all that safe under them.

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'81 300CD - 180K, cannot be killed by any conventional means
'99 Ford Escort - good MPG

If I'm working under the car, I find that ramps take up too much space. I much prefer stands. One of these days, I'll have a lift.

That's what I think too. I just make sure I hip check the car before I get under it.

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Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

We don't even own ramps. I never service the car when the tires don't come off anyway, almost... I mean, we don't change starters and transmissions THAT often... and if the tires come off at every oil change anyway, it's hardly worth the trouble of getting ramps. I just use jacks and stands and ensure that things are safe enough before I ever go under, if I have to go under.

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~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

Either, depends on the task at hand....however, when using jack stands I'll put some wood piled under the wheels, and a couple extra stands in strategic places to keep me from being crushed if there was an issue.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I once knew an Anglican minister who dropped a Pontiac Parisienne on his head when his hydraulic jack failed. I've had a soft spot in my heart for redundancy ever since then even though he seemed none the worse for wear.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Me likey redundancy 6 to 12 ton jack stands are awesome, if you are on level concrete. on gravel or dirt, or non level surfaces... I don't like to lift the car.
ramps have their value, but I prefer a set of wheel chocks, a good floor jack and jack stands.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I nearly killed myself once with ramps!

Give me a good jackstand (at least 2 actually) on a decent level concrete floor any day.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

i use ramps unless i am going to remove a wheel

Ramps unless I am taking a wheel off. Even on ramps though, I still keep a jack in a place where it is very close to holding up the car (ie: if the ramps would fail for whatever reason), and usually jackstands placed similarly as well... though I did once forget to move a jackstand I had strategically placed, and I backed off the ramp... ooops, luckily nothing critical was in the path and the jackstand just fell over.

Driving onto and off of ramps has its own risks as well, mostly to the car.

I've thought before that solid wood ramps would be a good idea - very strong and stable.

In general, I am pretty cautious about working under a car. I'm not into the whole being crushed by my car thing.

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Ramps whenever the wheels are staying on, I try to use an extra jack to hold the car in case one of the ramps shatter. I don't like getting under the car at all, ramps or otherwise.

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1980 240d
1999 SL500

Some times I use ramps, and some times I use jack stands, depends what Iam doing.

I have some large rubber wheel chocks I use.

If I use jack stands, I use a hydraulic floor jack on each side as a back up.
On my asphalt driveway I use a 3/4in piece of plywood under the jack stands. they can sink into the asphalt.

Here in Calif. I always think, what if we had an earthquake? HMMM even if a car is up on a lift I always wonder.

You guys in the mid west only have to worry about a big wind sucking your car off you and placing it into the next county

my 2˘ worth

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works