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Hello, I have a 2014 E350 AWD and I was planning to change the transmission fluid and filter. It has about 63,000 miles on it. I have viewed numerous videos and have all the parts. I'm looking for alternative jack points. I lifted the car from the front crossmember and the rear diff and used the traditional jack points under the car. I have these Harbor freight 6ton jack stands which are really sturdy but the problem is that they are so wide it makes access tight around the area. I really want to jack the car up as high as I safely can so i have more room to work. I also have 3 ton jack stands but the base is more narrow are not as sturdy especially when raised really high. Since I'll be working under the car this is a job I don't want to rush. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
That looks like the front lift point under the subframe. I already used that the jack up the front of the car. I jacked the rear of the car with the diff on a safe spot. The problem is my jack stands are too wide and as a result they block my ability to get to the transmission pan from the side. Perhaps I can place them where the front control arms attach to the subframe.
When I serviced the transmission in my W204 I drove the car up some wooden ramps I made. For more room while I remove the pan and filter I used the front middle jacking point to raise it up more and had plenty to move around. This worked out well since my parking area isnt level so can adjust the level with the jack as needed. Then with everything buttoned up ready to add the fluid you dont really need to be under the car, just reach over to remove the adapter and install the drain plug.
If you need the entire car higher when using the ramps just use the normal jack points and raise each side to stick another plank under the wheel then lower it back down.
My area is gravel and do not trust being under the car using jack stands.
Working under the car is my #1 fear when using jack stands and set high up. Thus I never use them and use Quick Jack instead and/or my own DIY tire/wheel stand.
If you do not yet have MB jack adapter for jack stand with U shaped end, do get it, safer that way.
That looks like the front lift point under the subframe. I already used that the jack up the front of the car. I jacked the rear of the car with the diff on a safe spot. The problem is my jack stands are too wide and as a result they block my ability to get to the transmission pan from the side. Perhaps I can place them where the front control arms attach to the subframe.
I would only use the front middle jacking pad on the front subframe. I dont think the spots at the control arms are designed at all to hold up the weight of the car. Its just stamped metal. If you stick jack stands under the control arms themselves I dont think the bolts will hold or will at least get bent.
In the rear I have placed jack stands under the subframe where the spring arms mount. But that was just for back up as I had a floor jack on each side plus jack stands. I would just place them there in case, would not lower the car down on to them. I have extra jack stands so why not use them.
I have two floor jacks, 4 jack stands, wooden ramps with a bunch of extra planks, then I have large pieces of wood timbers i'll place under the car. I go overboard so there is no possible way the car can fall on me. I have some sections of 4x4's i'll shove under the arms of the floor jacks so they cant lower in case the jack were to fail. I also have two scissor jacks that come in handy sometimes for holding up the exhaust or raising a wheel carrier to align suspension bolts.
If you have to go under the car and the wheels dont have to come off I say use ramps.
Front 4matic subframe. Use jack pad location only.
Rear subframe upside down in photo. I've placed jackstands at red circles. The car already has to be secure in the air to get under safely. I would not use those areas to jack up the car though.
The problem is those 6-ton jacks. I have a set of those I use for big trucks and Jeeps and stuff. They have their place, but it isn't under a mid-size sedan. The standard 3-ton jacks are what you need. If you don't trust the ones you have, go get better ones. The Harbor Freight jack stands these days are plenty good. You can also get a set of jack pads. Little rubber boots that go over the ends of the jack stands. Ditto a pad for the jack stand.
Be careful using that jack pad pictured up there. I just had mine break in half the other day, and it didn't look as ratty as that. Sent the jack straight up into the engine bay. Fortunately, I had jack stands in place already, but still did some damage.
Thanks for the replies. I currently have 6 jack stands and two hydraulic jacks. I'm going to reattempt this over Thanksgiving weekend when I'm not rushed. Costly mistakes happen when your in a hurry and you try to cut corners. I think ill use the three tons on the front jack points and the 6 tons on the back ones. For added safety I'll use my oldest ones as an extra somewhere just in case. In the picture you can see how much wider the six ton ones are. Would be nice to use them up front for better stability.
Red jack stands look fine. Make sure they're not one of the recalled variety. Black 3-ton is PROBABLY fine, but I weeded all of those out a long time ago in favor of more robust options. Ditch the 6-tons. Wrong applications. I have those same stands in green. Great for the holding the Jeep up under the frame while I let the axle droop down on its 35" tires and long springs while I work on the differential (literally what's going on in my shop right now). On an E-Class, it's like you're trying to use a sledgehammer on a finish nail. Do you have lifted jeeps or large trucks? Planning on acquiring some any time soon? If not, sell the 6-ton jacks. If so, hold on to them, but put them away for now. Get a full set of proper 3-tons. Daytonas are great. They go plenty high enough for you and a friend, if you're into that sort of thing.
You’re absolutely right. I used the 6 ton ones only a few times on my 2005 GX470 SUV. Most of the time they are just sitting there. HF has the 3 tons on sale for 50 bucks right now.
Thanks for the advice.
Happy to report I got the job done today. Raised the car as high as I could with the 3 tom HF jackstands, Car was very stable. Did the transmission drain and refill. Only problem was that I got doused with transmission fluid when I took the pan down. Drenched my fleece jacket and shirt.
When I unbolted the transmission pan I used a jack to support it so I didnt have to juggle holding the pan up while removing the bolts. Scissor jack comes in handy for various things. Came in very handy working on the exhaust by myself.
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