i know this might be a silly question, but i just bought my first 1982 300D and want to make sure i know how to do things the right way. my jack holes are in great shape, caps and all, and i have the original jack. can someone explain to me (in layman's terms, please) how to jack her up the right way? it's all new to me, i love her, and don't want to hurt her! thanks

put the male part of the jack in the female part of the car and turn the handle.

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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

thanks, that's awfully biological.

Be careful when jacking the rear. "Park" only works when both rear wheels are on the ground. Set the parking brake and chock at least one of the front wheels. Otherwise, the car will possibly roll and tip the jack over.

thanks, that's a great (and i imagine important) tip

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"helga"
1982 300D
white/navy 191k

You also don't want to jerk it from side to side once the car is up...

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

I'd use it ONLY on LEVEL ground.

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

You might want to pack those holes with grease and plug them for the winter, you don't want rust starting in there . Also the factory jack is a poor design and will probably crush your foot if you use it.

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1980 240d
1999 SL500

Stop turning the crank at the first sign of pain!!! Then reposition foot from underneath jack..

would you suggest not using the factory jack? if i use a regular jack, where should i position it?

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"helga"
1982 300D
white/navy 191k

what kind of grease is okay to use in the jackholes?

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"helga"
1982 300D
white/navy 191k

Make sure also that the jack is in the hole all the way before cranking it, or you may bend the jack. Ask me how I know.

I will also second the comments about chocking the wheels. The base of the jack is not very big and if the car rolls when you get it up in the air, there isn't much to keep it standing.

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There are threads on what to do with the jack holes, what kind of grease doesn't really matter, it just needs to keep the water and salt out. The MB factory jack hole plugs(available at fastlane or the dealer) fit these holes that otherwise get snow slush and salt in them and start to rust. I just keep a bottle jack in the trunk instead of the factory jack, which I would recommend only using on a very flat surface.

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1980 240d
1999 SL500

In the front you can use a frame rail but put a section of 2x4 10" long (laying horizontally) between the jack and the rail to spread the weight out over a larger surface area. In the back, if just taking off a wheel, I jack it up from the subframe or otherwise the differential mount.

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Right under the jacking holes there are rubber pads that a normal jack can be used on. Always use a piece of wood though so you don't damage anything....

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