jack questions (maybe dumb, maybe not) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

nj300se · #1 10-31-2005, 08:11 AM

Hi everyone.

Just got my '91 300SE on the road this weekend for the first time! The car had been sitting unused in a garage for about 4 years and with some help of this forum, I was able to get it up and running without much stress.

I finally dug into the trunk thinking I should know how to change the tires and I must say I do not like the jacking system!

Here are my questions.

1. The jack "pole" seems to go in at an angle. Is this right? I would think that the jack should have 100% of its base on the ground flush, but when you insert the "finger" part of the jack into the hole in the car, it is at a pretty good angle. Is this right? What is the point of that?

2. If you are jacking the car on anything but cement, all of the car's weight is focused on one relatively tiny point at the base of the jack. Does anyone use something to disperse the wieght at all? Lets say you had to change a tire on a gravel or dirt road, I imagine the jack would disappear into the ground before it lifted the car! I'm thinking a piece of wood or something, but again, maybe there is a good reason that I am not aware of.

Any thoughts/tips/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

tvpierce · #2 10-31-2005, 12:14 PM

Yes, it does sit at a seemingly precarious angle -- that's normal.

I have a 12" block of 2 x 6 that I carry in the trunk to use as a footing under the jack. I even use this on concrete, because it makes the jack more stable (less likely to slip).

Jeff Pierce

t walgamuth · #3 10-31-2005, 12:38 PM

i would use a block would be on soft ground or hot asphalt. when the car is up in the air, the jack is straight.

tom w

nj300se · #4 10-31-2005, 12:42 PM

Thanks guys....I just never saw a jack system that works at such a weird angle. I thought that maybe once it jacks up, the base would pivot or straighten out somehow, but apparently its normal. Those nutty Germans.

I will also include some wood to put down as a base for the jack. Rather discover all of this now than on the road with a flat!

yal · #5 10-31-2005, 01:18 PM

Don't forget wheel chocks too. This jack is notorious for allowing the car to roll of it especially with the rear wheel jacked up. Ask me how I know

nj300se · #6 10-31-2005, 01:49 PM

HA! Same thing here! I jacked up the rear driver-side, (tire was still on - I was just testing how it all worked) marveled at the weirdness of it all, and I noticed that the car started to "fall" back! I was able to support it by holding the jack straight, but how on earth could this be deemed a safe system to change a tire?

My old, cheap Nissan has a simple little jack that cranks up, and supports the car wonderfully. This big, supposedly well designed luxury car has this cheesy pole thing, that hooks in crooked, needs a piece of wood under it, and oh yeah, bring some wheel chocks so the car doesn't collapse on you! WTF????

I'm thinking of buying a cheap hydraulic jack to keep in the trunk just in case. It seems like a real PITA and unnecessarily dangerous to change the tires which is a very basic thing.

yal · #7 10-31-2005, 03:17 PM

I actually had the wheel off when mine decided to roll back.Bent my rear disc dust protector, nothing serious, but its a lesson well learned!

I now keep a cheap hydraulic jack at home for tire rotation duties

Feeble attempt by mercedes to reduce weight and space if you ask me, almost as dumb as having a spare wheel that uses different lugs like they did on the C class