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For those who work on their cars, if you want to put the car on jack stands ... where do you put them? There doesn't seem to be a good spot other than the jacking location, and that is occupied by the jack.
When I changed my oil and wanted to access the drain plug with the car on jack stands, I ended up having to put the jack stand under the front crossmember (I think that's what it was) instead of somewhere along the side.
Another approach would be to use a device that I've seen for Porsches and Aston Martins (see photo below). It uses a pair of jack pads that fit the car's jacking points, which are connected by a square steel tube. There's a lifting pad in the center, which you use to jack the whole side of the car at one time. The jacking pads are designed to allow a standard jack stand to fit underneath. Very effective, but I haven't seen anyone selling these for Mercedes.
Finally, for work that doesn't involve taking the wheels off, you could use a pair of ramps. A longish set would be required, given the SL's low ground clearance.
Rick F.
Last edited by Rick F.; May 6, 2021 at 05:35 PM.
Reason: Correct image error.
Another approach would be to use a device that I've seen for Porsches and Aston Martins (see photo below). It uses a pair of jack pads that fit the car's jacking points, which are connected by a square steel tube. There's a lifting pad in the center, which you use to jack the whole side of the car at one time. The jacking pads are designed to allow a standard jack stand to fit underneath. Very effective, but I haven't seen anyone selling these for Mercedes.
Finally, for work that doesn't involve taking the wheels off, you could use a pair of ramps. A longish set would be required, given the SL's low ground clearance.
Rick F.
Ramps either seem to not give enough height or I need to add 2x4s to them to decrease the slope, which is possible but I'd prefer not to have to do that.
I'll likely try out the Rennstand, thanks. At first I thought there wasn't enough clearance - I only had maybe 1.5" over my low profile jack, but then I remembered that ABC lets you raise the vehicle while it's standing still. That makes it have enough clearance . Those cars without ABC would need to double-check - maybe the non SL63 are slightly higher. Or you can do a double setup where you buy low profile ramps, drive them up, and then use the Rennstand. I was hoping to not have to do that.
Last edited by billvp218; May 6, 2021 at 06:18 PM.
POTAUTO Aluminum Jack Pad Jacking Puck Adapter Support for 2000-Present Mercedes Benz Vehicles (Qty 1, Black)
That item doesn't address the immediate problem (needing multiple locations for the jack & jack stand), but does look like something that MB owners who jack their cars would want. The Rennstand comes with a similar adapter to fit in the MB spot.
I use a oil evacuation canister and can suck the oil out of my SL faster than I can change out the filter. I believe there is a depression in the pan so the tube sucks out all the oil. My local Mercedes dealership no longer uses the drain plug to change oil either.
I use a oil evacuation canister and can suck the oil out of my SL faster than I can change out the filter. I believe there is a depression in the pan so the tube sucks out all the oil. My local Mercedes dealership no longer uses the drain plug to change oil either.
AMG vehicles have specific direction to use the drain plug. Non-AMG can do either way.
One other—and pricier—option. The QuickJack system is low enough to get under any street car. Owners appear to love them, although moving the units around is considerably more involved than simple jack stands.
Rick F.
Last edited by Rick F.; May 8, 2021 at 06:19 PM.
Reason: Correct typo.
For those who work on their cars, if you want to put the car on jack stands ... where do you put them? There doesn't seem to be a good spot other than the jacking location, and that is occupied by the jack.
When I changed my oil and wanted to access the drain plug with the car on jack stands, I ended up having to put the jack stand under the front crossmember (I think that's what it was) instead of somewhere along the side.
There is a Swiss cheese looking opening under the engine. Is this the jacking location for the front crossmember?
As an alternate to quick jack consider race ramps. I have two piece 67" ramps that worked great with my 2003 SL500. I have yet to try them with our SL63 but don't expect any problems. 67" XT Race Ramps - Fit tires up to 12" wide | Race Ramps
If im working underneath the car doing something that does not involve having to remove the wheels like oil change, working on the exhaust, diff fluid change ect then i'll drive it on wooden ramps I made out of wood planks. As it is mine is so low that I have drive it on at least one wood plank just to be able to fit one of my floor jacks under the jacking points. Plus I have a gravel parking area so jack stands arent the most stable, unless i put them on top of wood planks but then I have to jack up the car so high just to get them under anyways.
I made 4 wooden ramps, the wood planks are 1-1/2" x 9" wide. Cut to different lengths and stacked up and nailed together. My local Lowes has a 50% off wood cart that I'm always looking thru for useful pieces. Sometimes they even just tell me to take it for free because they just want it gone.
I have extra planks that I can make ramps 3 planks high like in this photo. Remember to set the E-brake.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
. Those cars without ABC would need to double-check - maybe the non SL63 are slightly higher. Or you can do a double setup where you buy low profile ramps, drive them up, and then use the Rennstand. I was hoping to not have to do that.
