MBC230/996

Hi... quick and perhaps silly question, but is there any danger in lifting the car with a floor jack from the rear differential?

tommy

Yes.

Is it worth worrying about? No.

I've done it for years and no problems. Silly worriers here may post something to the opposite, but you'd be smart to ignore them.

pcy

If I may suggest, put a small piece of 2x4 or 2x6 between the jack paw and the diff, to protect the diff.
I do this on all my cars.

MBC230/996

Thanks guys. Did it before on an old Oldsmobile I had years ago... wasn't so sure on these newer Benz's if there were any hazards. I do have a little "pad" on the jack base to "cushion" the contact point.
Looking forward to contributing and following the MB forum!!

Boom vang

I made a stacked block of plywood that fits on my floor jack that contacts the suspension crossmember between the diff and the spare tire housing. This 2" deep x 10"wide area is ideal for jacking up the whole rear and the load is spread over a wide area.

If you need a pic of the item I made I can post later

I am not a fan of hoisting the car by the diff especially on a IRS as the housing is not a robust as in a solid axle like found on a pickup truck or older American car. By lifting on the diff and all the pressure concentrated at a small area you could risk cracking it or having leaks on the seals. I am not sure what the material our diff housing is but I assume it is aluminum and probably not that thick

A risk that i would avoid

MBC230/996

Sure, if you get a chance, a pic would be cool.

pcy

Take a look at the pic below -
Red circle is where I usually put the jack to raise the rear end (with a 2x4 piece as a buffer).
I believe Boom_vang is saying he places the jack where the green circle is.

Diff housing is NOT made of aluminum[on a W203].

This picture was taken in the midst of a snow storm in New England area; hence the bottom was very dirty.

Boom vang

Yes that is the spot in green where I lift from

looks like the diff is only attached at one end, hence lifting with that could put unnecessary stress at the mounting point

Boom vang

Diff is only attached at one point.

IMO not the best place to jack from as it would put a lot of stress on that single bolt and mounting flange off of the diff .

While it probably is fine there are much better alternatives eg my area as indicated in green...why risk it?

MBC230/996

Well, the Merc is certainly no 1974 Cutlass Supreme... Lol. The stacked plywood idea sounds reasonable. Thanks for the input.