Should I buy a trolley jack?

[Beemer2]

I have bought new (reduced to 17") wheels and winter tyres for my 2011 W212 Sport. I have never used the MB supplied jack and am wondering if I should invest in a trolley jack even although i would not be using it for any other purpose than (4) wheel changing?

 

[cleverdicky]

Always worth having one. A good cheap halfords one for 20 odd quid even includes stands (essential).
And think of those other little jobs you can do like changing pads and discs when the time comes

 

[V6Matty]

very useful things, i bought one years ago when i was working on my landrover, its amazing how often you need something like that.

 

[grober]

Mercedes used to provide jacking pads on the sills for trolley jacks but the latest models seem to have elaborate moulded nylon rectangular sockets for the car's own jack end. Just make sure any trolley jack you buy has a good arm pad which will not damage the underside of the car.

 

[Silver_Star]

^^ Yes or if the jack doesn't come with a decent pad, I find an ice hockey puck does the job nicely. They are very strong and made out of vulcanised rubber.

Although if you are just changing wheels, it is probably easier to jack off the diff to do the rear wheels and the front central jacking point to do the front wheels....it saves jacking the car up 4 times.

 

[Beemer2]

Thanks to all for the advice.

 

[taxii]

I think the question was really about whether having the bigger wheels will mean the standard jack wont lift the car high enough to change the wheel but if its like any other car Ive owned and very few have stayed with standard size wheels I think the standard jack should still do the job ok. Ive got 18s on my FTO and the standard jack lifts them fine enough to get the wheel off easily enough without the need for a trolly jack. although they are very handy to have around.

 

[whitenemesis]

If the correct tyres have been fitted to the new wheels it will make no difference to the overall wheel diameter, so jacking will not be a problem.

It's only when one changes the car's ride height (fitting shorter springs) can one experience clearance issues. On my lowered S203 a standard trolley jack would not fit under the car!

 

[toby1]

If you have the spare £s and space, I would buy a trolley jack.

 

[SL63 Mark]

I wouldn't get a diddy cheapo £20 2 tonne one. I had one of those, and it wasn't man enough. It was quite portable though.

I have two three tonne Halfords jobbies, one Halfords own, one draper, which gradually sinks, which isn't great. The point is, they have much higher reach than the 2 tonne ones, plus greater lifting capacity. I wouldn't be without them, but ALWAYS get some axle stands in there before you start working under the car.

 

[television]

I bought a nice 5 ton low slung trolley jack from the local tip for £10,,,I have been looking for a rubber something to place in the middle so thanks Silver Star for that.

As grober said the new ones are odd

 

[spock500]

Agree on the cheap options as they don't hold their specified weight.

The smaller the hydraulic cylinder the more you need to pump to raise the vehicle.

I opted for a wolf 3 ton which has a handy foot operated lift. Basically you can move the cup into position in one move, then start with the handle, great for changing wheels ect..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wolf-3-To...y-Hydraulic-Garage-trolley-jack-/370628121140

 

[Beemer2]

Agree on the cheap options as they don't hold their specified weight.

The smaller the hydraulic cylinder the more you need to pump to raise the vehicle.

I opted for a wolf 3 ton which has a handy foot operated lift. Basically you can move the cup into position in one move, then start with the handle, great for changing wheels ect..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wolf-3-To...y-Hydraulic-Garage-trolley-jack-/370628121140

Looks a good unit but (unless I'm mistaken) why plastic wheels!

 

[spock500]

They are metal, my neighbours can vouch for that as I drag it around my drive

It's a heavy unit which may put some people off, but lifts a car quickly and stays there.

 

[Beemer2]

They are metal, my neighbours can vouch for that as I drag it around my drive

It's a heavy unit which may put some people off, but lifts a car quickly and stays there.

David,

I have an E250 W212 will I need to fit a rubber pad to a Wolf lift?

 

[spock500]

The older MB's tend to have a rubber foot which sits nicely inside the cup of the jack.

On the newer models you may need to purchase this separately unless it came with the tool set?

Not 100% sure, perhaps someone else can advise.

 

[Myros]

don't stop at one

I bought two of Lidl's 2-tonne trolleys over the years. One is lower in profile than the other, which has a movable jacking arm to permit offset pumping, good for when in my garage rather than on the driveway. I can raise the whole side of the car pretty quickly, and either end, as necessary.They do fit the jacking cups ok.
£40.00 for the pair if memory serves and all that

Just to repeat the advice given by my Dad, and countless others,

" NEVER WORK UNDER AN UNSUPPORTED VEHICLE. JACKS ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH. USE AXLE STANDS, OR AT LEAST THE SPARE WHEEL SLUNG UNDER THE CAR BEFORE YOU STICK ANY BIT OF YOURSELF UNDER THERE"

 

[S.Speed]

I bought a Beefy 3 ton trolley Jack..
In my opinion you cannot overdo the lifting capacity..
The only thing is that the Jack weighs a ton !!!

 

[Frontstep]

If you have a Costco they have had a decent looking aluminium one.

 

[cleverdicky]

If you have a Costco they have had a decent looking aluminium one.

Very nice, unfortunately not.
How much may I ask, perhaps if reasonable, someone could pick one up for me.