ByeTurboS4

Where is the safest place to put the jack when working on the c32? I'm trying to put all new brakes and rotors on, but I have no lift. Also I have heard horror stories of sway bars snapping when you jack up the car. Any special techniques here? I have the H&R up front. TIA. I need to complete the brake job to get inspected and get it on the road.

Budget Baller

Good question. I'd like to hear what others do.

Myself personally, I use the little square rivets. If you look under the car there are square areas pressed into the plastic. I believe it's there for shop lifts. I place my jack there and lift up the car. So far I have not run into any issues. For non break jobs I use 2 ramps.

chris.bachman

Use the manufacturers safe lift points.

ByeTurboS4

Chris, where could I find these? Owners Manual, I'm guessing?

chris.bachman

Yeah, or you could just look under the car and see them, they're pretty obvious. There's a square "cup" behind each front wheel and in front of each rear wheel.

Dingleberry

there's also a central jacking point in the front of the car

ByeTurboS4

Maybe this is the best place, so that equal pressure is applied to both sides. Should I be worried about the sway bar when jacking up one wheel, or is this a non issue?

thtguy

If a sway bar snaps from the slight unloading of the suspension I would think it would snap just from driving down the road. I would say it is going to be a non issue. correct me if I am wrong.

thtguy

The oil pan right!?!

02C32guy

To get at the front point you really need a floor jack. You'll see it under the engine area. Honestly, I wouldn't worry about snapping the sway bar. As long as it's installed properly, it's designed to support the weight of the entire car.

02C32guy

Yup, they're designed for the head of the jack in the trunk to fit into.

Dingleberry

that's correct.

2MCHCAR

I've seen this underneath my CLK (between the front wheels; the under-tray has is even cutout for access); are you sure it can support the entire front end? How about the rear, can you use the differential pumpkin?

02C32guy

Yes, that's what it is intended for. I was hesitant before the first time I did as well, but have done it several times since with no problems.

mgiannetto

I do not think you should use the rear differential to lift the car. It's a moot point on the C55 as the differential has cooling fins which would probably be damaged in the process.

thtguy

the cooling fins are more sturdy than you think. I watched in horror as the MB service dept. jacked my car up by the differential when they were trying to diagnose where a clinking noise was coming from. They were having a special event for AMG owners. They said they are very sturdy.

mgiannetto

I have been told that cars with an independent rear suspension should not be lifted under the rear differential. It was not an issue with older cars - as they did not have IRS - and I think guys who got in the habit of doing it years ago (myself included) just continue to do so. I use the jack points on the sides of the car - PITA as it is. I figure better safe than sorry.

c32jet

If you need to lift both rear tires... how do you get your jack stands into the lift points. I have always used the differential and not knowing if this would hurt something or not...

daynger

Why not?
Usually the diff is mounted very securely in the subframe and that very securely to the car. I used to jack my silvia from there all the time, IRS or not the diff is always well mounted to the car, its a bit you dont really want to fall off.
The only thing that would concern me is the rearward cooling fins on it, dont jack under those, under the main part yes.

Also OP, i have never heard of a car snapping a swaybar under jacking, all that **** is designed for if changing a tyre on the roadside, itll get jacked from one side in the owners manual.

Spooky55

I have NEVER heard of a swaybar snapping from jacking up the car. I've seen some carnage in the wrecking yards with severely bent and broken suspension pieces, but never one of those. The end link and/or aluminum A-arms will break long before the swaybar. They are torsion springs and made to flex and bend.

As for jacking from the diff, I would agree with previous posts - they are plenty sturdy. Yes, you might be putting more stress on the housing and bushings than they are designed for, but they are also built to handle a 350-500hp twisting load and stay together and attached to the car. As for the C55 heatsink, I'd spread the load with a piece of wood between the jack and it. I've done this with no ill effects. Just put wheel chocks around the front wheels as the car can roll.