S212 drop links and jacking points

[ChrisHGTV]

Hi all

In an effort to tighten up the suspension on my blue barge S212 E250 ive bought some new drop links for front and rear. Ive actually not gone for OEM as i normally would but the Meyle Heavy Duty which have a 4 year warranty. We'll see...

A couple of questions though - as i understand its easier to fit them with both wheels aloft so there's less tension on the ARB. But can anyone recommend how to get the S212 on axle stands? i.e. where to jack (if not the jacking points) and where to put the stands (if not the jacking points). Before ive struggled, not knowing how to get the thing safely suspended.

From looking on the forum it seems the lower bolt on the front drop link is a pain due to clearance, but still seems do-able?

Any help much appreciated! It'll be a weekend of drop links as ive also got two to do on the Alfa!

 

[Supernoodle]

I assume the S212 is similar to my S211. I use the jacking point on the front cross member, there is a rubber block there.
I have problems as my jack doesn't go very high, so only place I can put the stands is under the lower front arm mounting point. I really must get a better jack.

I found the problem is the drop link upper bolt. The outward facing side is a hex socket obscured by the suspension strut. Removing the lower fixing gives some extra clearance. The 21mm nut on the back is tight, 140Nm plus years of corrosion. If you have the car on a lift you'll get a breaker in no problems, but on my drive I didn't have enough room for anything useful. This little gadget came to the rescue.

With a long extension I could use the breaker outside the arch. It came off easily.

---

 

[W1ghty]

I assume the S212 is similar to my S211. I use the jacking point on the front cross member, there is a rubber block there.
I have problems as my jack doesn't go very high, so only place I can put the stands is under the lower front arm mounting point. I really must get a better jack.

I found the problem is the drop link upper bolt. The outward facing side is a hex socket obscured by the suspension strut. Removing the lower fixing gives some extra clearance. The 21mm nut on the back is tight, 140Nm plus years of corrosion. If you have the car on a lift you'll get a breaker in no problems, but on my drive I didn't have enough room for anything useful. This little gadget came to the rescue.

With a long extension I could use the breaker outside the arch. It came off easily.

---

View attachment 148355

Have you got a link to that tool buddy ?

 

[Supernoodle]

Have you got a link to that tool buddy ?

https://amzn.eu/d/7u6Bp8G

This is the one I bought as it was the cheapest available with next day delivery, other identical parts with slow delivery if you aren't part way through the job already!

 

[W1ghty]

https://amzn.eu/d/7u6Bp8G

This is the one I bought as it was the cheapest available with next day delivery, other identical parts with slow delivery if you aren't part way through the job already!

Cheers buddy

 

[ChrisHGTV]

Thanks - what a neat tool, ive not seen anything like that before. Makes a lot of sense!

 

[ChrisHGTV]

Thanks - what a neat tool, ive not seen anything like that before. Makes a lot of sense!

In the past ive slipped the handle of the jack over the end of the spanner but you tend to lose quite a bit of possible movement as it ends up at an angle. But this gadget avoids that.

 

[Supernoodle]

Cheers buddy

You have to get creative if you want to tighten something with these though...

The small spanner is there to hold the adapter in place.

 

[Supernoodle]

Only yesterday I was looking at high lift jacks on SGS. Today I received a mail with special offers on their jacks...I thought they were tracking me, but I opened an incognito tab, the offers are there for everyone.

 

[ChrisHGTV]

I’m tempted to get one of the Halfords 2 tonne low entry ones as only £55 and I get 8% off with my Alfa club. I’ve already got a Sealey 1.25 tonne motorsport low entry one for the Alfa but would like something a bit meatier for trying to lift the S212 on the central front jacking point.

 

[Supernoodle]

That looks better than my current jack, it only goes to 395mm and isn't enough.

 

[Smiley]

Honestly it is worth spending more and getting a bigger jack with a wider base - they are so much more stable than the smaller DIY type of jacks. Something like this

Clarke CTJ3000GB 3 Tonne Garage Trolley Jack - Machine Mart - Machine Mart

www.machinemart.co.uk

 

[ChrisHGTV]

Honestly it is worth spending more and getting a bigger jack with a wider base - they are so much more stable than the smaller DIY type of jacks. Something like this

Clarke CTJ3000GB 3 Tonne Garage Trolley Jack - Machine Mart - Machine Mart

www.machinemart.co.uk

It’s a good point, I’ve not looked at the Halfords one in the flesh yet to see how big it is. I only ever use them to lift enough to get the car on axle stands. The motorsport one I have is really stable as it has a big footprint, but the limit is only 1.25T.

 

[Supernoodle]

Halfords have 10% off at the moment and you can use that on top of other discounts. So with a trade card I just picked this 3 tonne jack for £108, it's usually £160.

Halfords Advanced 3T Low Profile Trolley Jack with Pad | Halfords UK

Shop the latest Halfords Advanced 3T Low Profile Trolley Jack with Pad at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

You can get the 2 tonne for under £90 if you have a trade card and use the extra 10%

Halfords Advanced 2T Low Profile Trolley Jack with Pad | Halfords UK

Shop the latest Halfords Advanced 2T Low Profile Trolley Jack with Pad at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com