hgerhardt

I've looked at many archived posts and can't find an answer: is it safe to lift a W211 E63 under the rear diff finned aluminum heat sink? Put a block of 2x4 under there first? It looks like a pretty stout casting and should hold up OK.

Yuille36

NO, absolutely not!!! It is aluminum, and will break off under the weight of the car. If you have to lift the rear diff, then place a 2x4 under the differential, but not under the cooling fins. I'm glad that, I seen this thread before you made a mistake. The cooling fins can't handle the weight of the car, and the bolt might shear off, ruining your day.
The fins might look like a stout piece but trust me, it will break off.

Dr. G

Got to ask a basic question: why not just use the designed rear jack points? you cant miss them...

hgerhardt

I assume you mean the ones on the body: because you can only lift one corner at a time. And if you want to set the car on jackstands, where do you place them if you've got the jack in the way? You've got to be able to lift each end of the car from a center point.

Dr. G

well, if the reason you can only lift one corner at a time is that you only have one jack, go buy another jack!

hgerhardt

You actually think it's OK to crawl under a car with two hydraulic jacks holding it up??? No thanks. I want the car supported by jackstands and that's impossible if the car's jackpads are being used by the hydraulic jacks.

Dr. G

ok, i get it now,and agree with you 100%.

MB_Forever

You should be able to put the block under the differential and lift the car up without any problems. I've seen Juicee and a couple of other guys do it at the track a few times in the past. Just make sure you avoid the fins as Yullie36 mentioned, they WILL break off.