Removing a wheel - a word of warning

[Dieselman]

What's part 90 in that diagram - I have one but haven't worked out what it is!

To act as a temporoary stud for helping the wheel to fit.

 

[stevesey]

To act as a temporoary stud for helping the wheel to fit.

Of course Struggled a couple of times recently to get the first stud in.

 

[Dieselman]

steve
your PM is full.

 

[Beetnik]

Has anyone got a pic ??

I take it these will do for all cars

 

[raymont]

I would like to take my wheels off to clean the backs of them. If I buy a basic trolley jack would I need some adapter to use it since the jack that comes supplied with the car (part 10 in pic above) has a moulded plastic part that fits securely onto the jacking point on the car. (i.e. the jacking point on the car isn't a flat surface). Also where is it best to put the axle stands? Sorry for basic questions but I would like to get this right as presumably it wouldn't be a good idea just to rely on the supplied jack. Many thanks for any replies.

Ref 'adapter' see this post: http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=52619

 

[grober]

Seriously wouldn't use a small open brick like that- give it any sort of shock loading ( i.e. say the car drops 4 inches ) and it would crumble. Concrete breeze-block=dense construction and larger dimensions are OK or large dimensioned solid blocks of wood. ( fibrous structure of wood loaded lengthways will resist any shock loading better )

 

[CMR]

Thanks guys for your replies, Raymont thanks for that, I searched everywhere in forum and didn't find your link (typed Jack in and couldn't find it???) Any help where I should put axle stands?

 

[davidjpowell]

whenever I jack a car up, I place the spare / flat wheel under the sill for extra protection. I have seen 2 cars fall off jacks in the past, plus know of another, where my dads friend tried to save his panda by holding the bottom of the car up. He nearly lost his fingers.

 

[DieselE]

my dads friend tried to save his panda by holding the bottom of the car up. He nearly lost his fingers.

I guess he thought pandas only ate shoots and leaves! (sorry but couldn't resist it )

 

[Rory]

I would like to take my wheels off to clean the backs of them. If I buy a basic trolley jack would I need some adapter to use it since the jack that comes supplied with the car (part 10 in pic above) has a moulded plastic part that fits securely onto the jacking point on the car. (i.e. the jacking point on the car isn't a flat surface). Also where is it best to put the axle stands? Sorry for basic questions but I would like to get this right as presumably it wouldn't be a good idea just to rely on the supplied jack. Many thanks for any replies.

My trolley jack has u shaped support (rather than round and flat, like some) and I use a hefty piece of old wooden door frame - the recessed side fits into the U and then the other side sits against the jacking point.

However it's not ideal to use wood as it can split - a more purpose made adaptor would be better.

I too am also baffled about where axle stands could go - there's nowhere obvious (to me) to position them.

 

[JohnnyRob]

I've not looked at the jack on the ML since buying it (mental note to self - check jack!), but if they are anything like those chocolate jacks supplied with BMWs then they are next to useless unless the car is jacked on a straight flat surface.

I found this out when I swapped my wheels for ACS items (and a bit of cash) with a pal who was p/xing his e36. The whole care leaned backwards at which time, rather fortunately, my mate (a rather large lump) jumped to the back of the car and pushed it forward "Britains strongest man" style with just enough time for me to secure the wheel on my car. If he hadn't caught it, it would, without a doubt had hit the deck damaging the hub and sill, I'm sure. The reason this happened was due to the car being on a very slight slope, we deduced.....

 

[dsolds]

I had more than one chuckle whilst reading this thread. Clearly nobody here has ever owned a Land Rover.

Handbrake operates on the rear propshaft meaning that once one wheel is off the ground, the car is free to roll about as it pleases.

I actually think it should be compulsory to own one of these at some point. They teach you all about mechanicals, mainly due to the constant need for attention they have, they teach all about discomfort and give a much richer appreciation of the luxuries we MB drivers take for granted, like doors that don't leak, heaters that work, Air-Con (What's that!!), modern technologies like Synchromesh, and above all, the absolute need for a set of wheel chocks.

As for jacking without chocks.....would anyone go parachuting without a reserve chute? Jacking without first chocking is like bungee jumping on a bit of frayed knicker elastic. Nuff said, although I'm still chortling to myself here.

 

[CMR]

Any help where I should put axle stands?

This is picture from russian site. Do you think if I put them under part 140 somewhere? it would be OK?

 

[Wezzel]

IIRC the manual states that you shouldn't use the suspension members for jacking and to only use the proper jacking points.

This is a real pain because if you use a trolly jack on the jacking points you can't get the axle stand in the same position.

I tend to use the standard car jack and put the axel stand under the jacking point. I then unwind the jack a turn or so but leave it in place as a "belt and braces" touch. I then (as mentioned earlier) poke the spare wheel under the sill too. Can't be too careful.

 

[N/B]

Autoglym alloy wheel seal is a spray on wax/polish that prevents brake dust,tar etc. building up on your alloys. It is especially usefull on the inside of the wheel.
I used to use around once a month. It's really easy to use, just spray on the wheel (preferably with the wheel off to prevent it going on the brake disk) and beff off excess with a cloth. Ten minute job per wheel. You'll notice the difference when you next wash the wheels how easy it is to get brakedust off!

I have to say, AG Alloy Wheel Seal is quite possibly their worst, and most overpriced product.
I'm a big fan of AG, the finish their products impart complements our cars perfectly, right down to the tyre dressing.
However, an aerosol sealant that anybody would feel the need to use MONTHLY is a bad product.
It wears off / vapourises way, way too quickly when compared to the rim waxes and bodywork paint sealants available out there.
This winter, my rims will be wearing AG Extra Gloss Protection.