Any thoughts on finding a jack for this car. Don't want to get a new one, too much ($$$)for a infrequently used item. No local source for used. Am I posting in the worng forum? Benzmac, if I am let me know.

Thanks, I'll try swapshop as well.

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Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e

Try looking in Hemmings Motor News classifieds or the Mercedes Club magazine called the Star for ads of salvage yards in Mass. Have seen many in the past.
TobiasMB
300SE, 300CE, 190/5.0

since we are on the topics of jacks, am I the only one to find the jack on my 1987 300E all but useless?

I jack up the car and it immediately rolls front or backwards and the car falls off the jack. I know, put on the E-brake, but what if I am jacking up the rear? I may be able to block the tires or something, but I feel far from confident putting myself under the car with the oem jack.

Any suggestions for jacks guys? I dont want to put a 2 ton in my trunk and waste all the space.

Thanx

spinedoc,
In your case, I agree, so carrying some wheel chocks is the way to go. Many Euro cars with the same jack scenario have the same problem.
Another alternative to a 2 ton jack can be found at www.airjack.com. This is a rubber jack, 12" in diam and operates off a 12v air
compressor. Handy for many uses.

TobiasMB
300SE, 300CE, 190/5.0

Never never get under any car only supported by a jack (even a Benz). Put it in park. Set the parking brake and you should be OK, unless the parking brake is not holding. The car should not move if the brake is holding. Just using park doesn't do it b/c the car can move up to 6 inches or more in park. Just try it on a slight incline. Step on the brake, put it in park and release the brake pedal. It's an education my friend.

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Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e

The real education comes in when you put the parking brake on, jack up the rear tires, and realize that the parking brakes don't do Jack (pun intended) for stopping the car if the rear wheels are off the ground!

And no, I dont get under my car without jack stands, but I cant even rotate the tires as the car will tip forward or backward every time it is jacked up, and this is on a level road, not inclined.

But I suppose the only solution is an aftermarket jack and some wheel chocks, oh well.

Again, as long as we're on the subject of jacks, are there any recommendations on locations other than the rubber bumpers that work well for either jacks or jackstands? I use a floor jack at the rubber bumber, but that doesn't leave much room to get the jack stand in. Some of my other cars have central loctions for jacking up either the front or the back of the car, allowing easy positioning of jackstands, but I don't see a spot on my 190E that I feel comfortable using. Thanks

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Ted Beer
'91 190E 2.3

J. Ko, I see where the confusion might lie. I am talking about raising one rear wheel with the jack, lets say to change a rear tire. In this position, with the E-brake on, and on a level ground, the car still has a tendency to perch precariously on the jack and WILL tip over if even a bit of pressure is exerted on the car. This is the situation I find myself in and I find one braked wheel on the ground is not sufficient to overcome the inertia of the whole MB tipping over (unless it is glued to the ground).

If your jack has given you none of these problems maybe I have a faulty jack, but I cant think of how. Suffice it to say I have little to no faith in this jack and will purchase a new aftermarket jack and wheel chocks.

Think about this, you say the jack is no problem on level ground, I disagree, but lets say your right. Well what happens that cold rainy night you blow a tire out and have to change it on an inclined road? I have never had a car move as dangerously as this with its factory jack, even on an inclined road. Be it Ford, Chevy, etc. I think that is one of the reasons this jacking system is not used anymore.

I love my Mercedes, but I think they messed up on this design in particular (along with the climate control and windshield wiper).


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1987 300E

If your e brake is working properly, and with at least one rear wheel on the ground, unless you're The Hulk, changing a tire should not be such an undertaking (no pun). It soulds like the e brake is slipping or at least not very tight. Remember, the e brake has less of a grip with the car heading up a hill than the opposite. Also, remember to break loose the lugs before completely raising the tire off the ground. It sometimes takes a lot of torque to get those lugs out and with the car perched on a jack, it is probably possible to get it to move or even fall over. You can exert a considerable about of leverage on those lugs. Another point to be aware of. The jack is designed to be inserted in the jacking point at an angle. That is to say the bottom of the jack is actually contacting the ground at an angle and if properly set up looks kinda weird. The top of the jack angles away from the car. When the car is jacked up, the angel becomes more perpendicular and looks right. Overall, you have to decide what feels comfy to you. I've used this jack without problems until my son decided to jack up the front end of his Explorer and broke the damn thing. Oh well, he said he was sorry.
Remember a jack of all trades is not in the trunk of your car.

Happy Jacking ;) ;) ;)


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Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e

The E-Brake works perfectly well, what happens is the tire on the ground slips forward against the road. I watch it do this without turning, just skidding forward (and no it is not on gravel or sand, simple driveway dry asphalt). The simple inertia of the weight of the car on such a narrow support is what ruins the jack design and purpose.

I know you are trying to help and I appreciate it, but the jack is all but useless. God willing I wont have to use it in an emergency situation, especially on an incline.

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1987 300E

Wow, this is really unreal. Maybe you've got the wrong jack? On level ground, dry pavement, I've never heard of what you desdribe.. This is really weird.. :confused:

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Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e

Hi guys:

Can't keep on ready without commenting! Porsches come with similar jacks, and I agree are somewhat precarious.

Why not buy a nice Craftsmen floor jack, in its own protective plastic box, and store it in the trunk, in the right side depression? I have one of these, at US$40, plus or minus, because the side cladding on my Lorinser Aero prevents the use of the "factory" jack. The Sears floor jack, small and compact, is much more stable than anything around, and does not weight much, and avoids any such problems. And at US$40, this sounds like a good deal to me. And it saves undertaking costs!!!!!........Andras

spinedoc, I can empathize with you about the jack. I have always has the same complaint about the jack slipping, but refrained from replying earlier since I could not contribute anything other than "Me too".
The Craftsman jack idea is a good one. I'm goint to go check them out this weekend.
I guess that's why I check the forum throughout the day. Thanks once more to all of you.

Edwin
1979 280CE, 95k mi

Thanks guys for reiterating the lack of usefulness of the 124 jack.

Thanks also for finally answering my original question and suggesting a jack. I will go to Sears today and pick up that jack, especially if it fits in the tool space in the trunk.

Thanx

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1987 300E