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Placing car entirely on jack stands: NOT Another "where are my jack points" thread
I've jacked the sides, the front, the rear, but I'm approaching the first repair wherein I'll need the entire car, front and rear, up on jack stands. I got flummoxed when I went to see how I might go about accomplishing. I did a test jacking from the rear diff and rested the car on jack stands on its rear jack points. Then I went around to the front and of course the car was pointed so far nose down that there was absolutely no way to reach the front center jack point. I didn't have a chance to jack from the front center and see if the same problem occurs in the rear where I wouldn't be able to reach the diff to get the rear up.
Then I came back here and searched only to find literally every "jack" or jacking" thread is about "where are my jack points" and "what jack stands to use". I only found this reference which sounds dicey:
Originally Posted by ATL_MB
Instructions from the chief mechanic at the AMG Driving School - Start at one of the the FRONT jack points under the front doors - jack the car, and place a jack stand under the REAR jack point on the same side. Lower the front of the car, and repeat on the other side. Then jack the front of the car from the front jack point under the engine at the front cross member. Place stands under the front jack points. This process seems a little harrowing at first, but it works.
He said to NEVER use the differential cover as a jack point (although I have done it once on my C63 and a number of times on my other MB's with no problem).
As always, be EXTREMELY careful lifting your car and working underneath it.
So I ask, for those of you who've actually done it, what is the safest method for using a floor jack to get the beast onto all 4 jackstands? Is it jack front and rear. Or is it jack side to side? Please don't beat me up Jim!
Last edited by Crya; Jan 14, 2020 at 03:15 PM.
Reason: Plea for mercy
You got two jacks? I put the rear up, then use one of my smaller jacks on the front jack point of the passenger side....crank it up a few inches so I can get the main jack under the front clip to reach the center front jack point, then raise it up and put the stands under.
I have put my W212 E63 on jack stand all around - at first I had the same problem as you. If I jack up the rear of the car and put it on jack stands the front is then too low to get even a low profile jack under. I found that driving the front wheels of the car onto a couple of 2x4's gave me just enough room at the front of the car to get the jack under.
Just be careful that when you put the car back down that you put the 2x4's back or else you might split your lip ...
Drive car on ramps
Use 2 Jack's on the rear
Use 2 Jack's on the front
Then put stands just incase the Jack's fail
Then lower rear jacks and lower fronts last and the car will drop on the ramps.
Easy peasy
Last edited by skratch77; Jan 14, 2020 at 04:04 PM.
Yes, of course. But how did you do this task before you got the quickjack? And thanks all above. Yes, I too use the similar method to get a floor jack to the front center jack point by driving onto a ramped 2x4. So I guess I can try this method.
You can use the diff housing. It's not recommended because it can slip off the jack. If you locate it properly and have a good jack pad it's fine to lift from when the front is already on jack stands..
2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
Originally Posted by Crya
Yes, of course. But how did you do this task before you got the quickjack?
Was never in a situation where I needed all 4 off the ground. Used ramps in front if I needed to get at the O2’s or something, otherwise jacked one wheel at a time if I was doing brakes etc.
What are you doing that you need all 4 off the ground? Do you have to get the wheels off or can you drive up on ramps in front and jack the rear from the diff?
Was never in a situation where I needed all 4 off the ground. Used ramps in front if I needed to get at the O2’s or something, otherwise jacked one wheel at a time if I was doing brakes etc.
What are you doing that you need all 4 off the ground? Do you have to get the wheels off or can you drive up on ramps in front and jack the rear from the diff?
I think this is the winner. It’s for the DSS install. Need to have the room under there to drop the powerpipe and all the undertrays and looks like a heat shield. Plus need the rear wheels to turn so I can spin the diff to get to all the bolts.
Jack the front of the car first and place jack stands on front jack points left and right. Once done move to the rear and you will have enough clearance to jack from rear diff ( don’t jack diff by cover area) , jack from rear diff and then place jacks stands on left and rear jack points done.
Jack the front of the car first and place jack stands on front jack points left and right. Once done move to the rear and you will have enough clearance to jack from rear diff ( don’t jack diff by cover area) , jack from rear diff and then place jacks stands on left and rear jack points done.
Yeah I’m familiar with the front center jack point. My jack was low profile enough to get under the diff after I got the front up. I ended up first jacking from the drivers side jack pad and putting a ramp under the wheel, then repeat on other side. Went to the diff and popped into jack stands in the rear and now the car is up and I had just enough room underneath to begin taking out the driveshaft. I’ve got it mostly out but having a hard time getting it to separate from the diff. I’ve got it popped of the front. I may need to go ahead and remove the rearmost exhaust section to really have enough room. I was trying to shortcut it by only removing my powerpipe. Anyways. Tomorrow is another day.
Which QuickJack do you have? Do you use extensions?
I am looking to buy QuickJack BL-5000SLX, but I am not sure if it will reach jacking points without extensions.
Which QuickJack do you have? Do you use extensions?
I am looking to buy QuickJack BL-5000SLX, but I am not sure if it will reach jacking points without extensions.
Theres different ways to go about it but I've jacked my car from the front or rear.
If starting from the front I'll jack the car up from one of the side jacking points, then ill place the Jack stand on the lower control arm or tension arm (dont remember which). Then jack the other side and do the same. Once the front is up then I jack the rear from the diff.
Last edited by Phil1305; Jan 24, 2020 at 01:36 PM.
I did it the exact same way as you, however my jack was the ultralow profile such that even when the car nose was pointed down, I could still slide my jack underneath.
Otherwise another way to do it would be drive the front wheels onto ramps, jack up the rears and because the front is now on the ramps, it should provide more clearance for non-low profile jacks and you can jack from the front centre jacking point.
I've jacked the sides, the front, the rear, but I'm approaching the first repair wherein I'll need the entire car, front and rear, up on jack stands. I got flummoxed when I went to see how I might go about accomplishing. I did a test jacking from the rear diff and rested the car on jack stands on its rear jack points. Then I went around to the front and of course the car was pointed so far nose down that there was absolutely no way to reach the front center jack point. I didn't have a chance to jack from the front center and see if the same problem occurs in the rear where I wouldn't be able to reach the diff to get the rear up.
Then I came back here and searched only to find literally every "jack" or jacking" thread is about "where are my jack points" and "what jack stands to use". I only found this reference which sounds dicey:
So I ask, for those of you who've actually done it, what is the safest method for using a floor jack to get the beast onto all 4 jackstands? Is it jack front and rear. Or is it jack side to side? Please don't beat me up Jim!
I jacked the front and put stands under the front lower control arm nuckle. Then jacked the rear side from the jacking point and put 2 bricks under the wheel. Then did the same for other side rear, then jacked the rear up from under the diff (put a thick rubber spacer between the jack plate and the diff) to not damage it.
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2x6 are even better....
