Was Aaron refering to a live (solid) axle car? I've only heard differentials refered to as "pumpkins" on live axles. In any event, I also jack the front at the cross-member, then put the jackstands at the jacking points. I would not recommend jacking the rear from the differential on an IRS car -- I also wouldn't trust a tech who says that it's OK to do so.

Just my 2 cents... arguably worth that.

Jeff Pierce

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Jeff Pierce

Current Vehicles:
'92 Mercedes 190E/2.3 (247K miles/my daily driver)
'93 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon (263K miles/a family truckster with spunk)
'99 Kawasaki Concours
Gravely 8120
Previous Vehicles:
'85 Jeep CJ-7 w/ Fisher plow (226K miles)'93 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon
'53 Willys-Overland Pickup
'85 Honda 750F Interceptor
'93 Nissan Quest
'89 Toyota Camry Wagon
'89 Dodge Raider
'81 Honda CB 750F Super Sport
'88 Toyota Celica
'95 Toyota Tacoma
'74 Honda CB 550F

I hate to say it I repect Aaron but he is wrong on that one. Jacking a car with an IRS up by the diff is a very bad idea and you are asking for trouble. Ask any MB dealer they will look at you like you have two heads.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I jack up the front at the crossmember, and put the jacks at the jack pad.

I jack up each side of the rear end independently, using a couple of 2x4s on the sills just in front of the jack pads, and put the jacks at the jack pad. My car is a monocoque, so the sills should be structural.

I jack up the front of my 97 C230 at the designed jack points [rubber pads] .

I place the jackstands under the frame rails located inboard from the jack points. I use a 6x6 piece of plywood between the jackstand and the frame rail to provide a cushion >> no metal to metal contact.

Yea > it's easier to jack up the complete front end in one action >> but IMHO > "no" to jacking up the front via the oil pan.


I do use the "central" method in the rear though... >> maybe have to re-look

I assume the crossmember in front is the cross brace on tne sub frame. I can get all the way to the sub frame so I use that even though I have used the cross brace as well. I see it flex and it makes me nervous. I also assume the pumpkin to mean the differential housing. What else could it be?

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Steve
1985 Mercedes 500SL Euro (Gray market)
1995 BMW 520i Euro (Gray market)
1992 BMW 525it Wagon
1994 Honda Del Sol Si