W126 jack failure!!
 

When attempting to jack up my 88 W126 today, the jack kicked out, damaged my jack point hole when the car fell. It was on level concrete ground, so I am not sure what happened. The jack looks like new and I am sure its the right that came with the car, since it has the same date as the car was made stamped on it, but it seems like it does not fit the car properly.

It was like the jack popped out of the bottom of the hole. I am not sure what happened. Has anyone else experienced this?

I normally use the hydraulic jack, but it was out of oil. Needless to say I went to get some and will use it from now on. :rolleyes:

Here are some photos of the damage.... now I am wondering if this will start rusting prematurely?

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...otos/002-5.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...otos/004-5.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...otos/005-5.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...otos/007-6.jpg

Clean out the jack hole and shove the jack ALL the way in before cranking it, it needs to be inserted all the way. That is a beautiful W126!!

smear a layer of grease (or cavity wax) around the inside of the jack point to help prevent rust.

Also, my post-incident forensic analysis leads me to believe that the jack was cocked off-center. You have scuff marks on the edge, but none in the center of the base. And, if the post doesn't fit in the hole all the way, get anther one.

Thanks. It wont be by the time I get through with it at this rate. ;)

Thanks. I will grease it. We are not in the salt belt (in the south), but I dont want to take any chances.

I am not sure... I had the jack all the way in the hole, or at least as far as it would go. I have a new hydraulic jack, so I will probably stick to that from now on.

Did the car slip back when the wheel was lifted off the ground? Even if it does a little it can tweak the jack to the point it slips out.

I avoid using the MB jack and prefer a floor jack.....it just seems risky. I would only use it in an emergency, and I'm even considering just keeping a small cheap floor jack in the trunk instead....

jack
 

I never ever used the car supplied jack for any car...always a floor jack..it is an inconvience to always have a floor jack in the trunk, but it's proved worth it over the years...

I will say that dodge and chevy include a decent jack with their cars...it is a scissor jack that fits the "seam" along the bottom of the car, so it is very stable and sturdy. One could easily weld a flat metal plate or cup on top of one to use it with a MB.....I might do that as they are very compact when not in use.

Looks like it wasn't pushed in all the way.

Either way thats an emergancy jack, so don't use it unless your stuck on the side of the road. Get a real jack, Sears sells them pretty cheap.

Thanks. Yeah, I usually always use that floor jack on this car, but it was out of fluid. :( I will definitely get another just for this car. I would hate to think I would have to use this factory jack in an emergency.

Well, the post was in the hole as far as I could get it. The jack looks barely used and the hole in the rocker there DID LOOK like it had not been used much, but I sure took care of that today. It makes me mad I damaged my car like that, but at least that cover goes over it.

Thanks again.

Putting blocks in front of and behind the wheels would probably help prevent this type of mishap. It has happened to me too (others on the board too I'll bet...) but I learned a tremendously valuable lesson. TAKE THE TIME TO DO IT RIGHT - EVERY TIME.

When using the emergency jack always kick on that parking brake. If you don't the jack will slide out or the car will roll back and fall down to the ground.

As me how I know... :rolleyes:

They don't call those things widowmakers for nothing...

-J

Just a side point, why was your jack out of fluid as you say? Any jack I ever had never needed fluid replenished, unless it was leaking, in which case it went into the trash.