So I was watching the mechanic doing the emissions and inspection on the 1980 300sd. When it was time for him to jack up the car to check the brakes he stuck the jack under the car and went for it. I then noticed the jack continue to rise while the car didn't! I yelled stop and ran over to the car and looked under. The jack had pushed the undercarraige up because he was jacking in the incorrect part. He quickly let the car down. The undercarraige remained pushed up! I told him to jack the car up on a cross member instead of the undercarraige.

I couldn't believe this had just happened. Afterwards I talked to the manager and told him what had happened. I said that I was going to consult a mercedes specialist to find out what damage had been possibly done. The manager said to let him know what I found out. he sounded like he was going to cooperate with making thing better.

My question is what may have been damaged other than the undercarraige. He jacked up on the undercarraige about half way down the vehicle on the driver's side. The indentation left was approximately 1-2 inches deep. The jack had a cup on it about 8 inches in diameter.

Thanks in advance!

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1998 E320 150,000
1980 300SD 240,000
1965 190D 79,000

did you pass your inspection?

__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

Yes I did. He said that it was the cleanest burning mercedes diesel he had ever done. It scored a 3.8% on the opacity test. He said the max is 30% and these cars usually get 10%.

But apparently this guy is an idiot!

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1998 E320 150,000
1980 300SD 240,000
1965 190D 79,000

From your description, it sounds as if it dented the floor. Possibly under the seat? It may take removal of the seat to find it and hopefully it hasn't dented it to the point of making seat removal a PIA. Check the heat ducts as well, since they run under the driver's seat.

Someone else ran into a similar problem recently. Look for a post ~"They hurt my baby"

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Thanks for the reply. I will look closer inside the car to see if anything is visible. Is there anything between the undercarraige and inside the vehicle under the seat?

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1998 E320 150,000
1980 300SD 240,000
1965 190D 79,000

so there is visible damage to the floor right behind and under the drivers seat. My concern is now that the undercoating is cracked and may need to be redone. Also I noticed moisture under the back seat floor mat on the drivers side. There is no moisture on the Passenger side. Where is the moisture likely coming from? I can see where the rear window seal has cracked and let in moisture before. Do you think this is where the moisture is coming from? What do you think.

Thanks for the help

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1998 E320 150,000
1980 300SD 240,000
1965 190D 79,000

The first suspicion I can think of for moisture is the a/c drain located inside the center console, right next to the go faster pedal. The "tubing" wears through from pressure of your foot against the console. As far as it being in the rear, likely it migrated during some recent wet weather.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

In my 85 300D there is a very oddly shaped bump on the front passenger floor panel.

Fortunately for me it is right in the middle between the floor vent and the center console and not damaging anything.

My undercoating is still squishy and when I had the car jacked up I was able to see what happened. Some wheenie jacked the car up incorrectly many years ago but there isn't any obvious damage to the foam.

Still bums me to this day.

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-Typos courtesy of my mobile phone.

Damn Wheenies!! I'm going to make them fix it so it doesn't bum me out forever.

__________________
1998 E320 150,000
1980 300SD 240,000
1965 190D 79,000

And that is why myself or the dealer are the only people that touch my car/work on it.

__________________
-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)

On my SEL there's evidence of someone mistaking the bottom of the radiator for a strong crossmemeber

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RIP: 80 300SD
RIP: 79 450SEL
2002 E430 4matic (212,000km)
2002 ML500 'sport'

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FACEBOOK: PANZER450

I have that same issue, wet drivers rear floor after a car wash or heavy rain. I suspect my windshield seal as well, as there's some separation of the laminate. Water comes in, pools on my package tray (no rust surprisingly) then if there's enough it runs down the wheel well to the passengers floor, I imagine when I brake or park on an incline. In my SD same thing, except I actually had some holes in the floor.

__________________
RIP: 80 300SD
RIP: 79 450SEL
2002 E430 4matic (212,000km)
2002 ML500 'sport'

____________________________
FACEBOOK: PANZER450

If you have water, I wonder if there is rust as well?

Even if there was already rust started, causing the floor to be weak, the "Technician" still messed up. I'd be very upset if they did it to my car.

If you're going to be driving on salted roads that cracked undercoat will have to be fixed.

I'm sorry to hear of your misfortune.

I suspect there will be an argument as to how much fault is due to the age of the car vs. negligence of jack operator.

Are you going to try and repair it yourself? I think I would, and hope for a reasonable settlement to cover my time and expenses. Was this a State or County facility or a shop?

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1979 240D, 4spd manual, Power Sunroof, manual windows, 147k miles, Pastel gray/Black MB Tex.
1991 300D 2.5 - Smokes like it's on Crack!

I am going to get a bid at a bosy shop, then have them pay it. I will do the work myself. There is no rust on the car. If there had been I suspect the jack would've gone straight through the bottom of the car. the amount of moisture is very small, but enough for me to source it.

The shop was the reputible Quality Tire. I dont want this post in anyway to be bad talking quality tire. They have always been very good to me and understanding while doing my inspections. This obviouslt sounds like a mistake that could happen at many places but still doesn't excuse it. I will continue to take my cars there but I will be watching a little closer as they work.

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1998 E320 150,000
1980 300SD 240,000
1965 190D 79,000

So you suspect your windshield or rear window? My rear window has visible evidence of failure. I guess I will be replacing that soon.

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1998 E320 150,000
1980 300SD 240,000
1965 190D 79,000