Suggesting that the factory tire change jack points are the only "safe" place to bear a jack...Vic, following manufacturer's safety recommendations should not be construed as "Fearmongering."
Supporting data? (Pun intended.)I have, as well you and others, have lifted many vehicle's from the pumpkin without damage. However, in my case, the vehicle's were much older and more stoutly constructed in contrast to today's vehicle constructed and scaled to reduced weight.
Documented examples of damaged Sprinter axle tubes?
Sprinters don't.Many pumpkins now have plastic covers.
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There's at least one post documenting a pumpkin leaking as a result of a tire shop lifting at the pumpkin.
Again.
Yes Sprinters are damaged by people using incorrect jacking methods.
Shock mounts are damaged, body metal gets damaged, front structures get bent/metal tearing by not using blocking, differential covers get bent to the point of leaking because proper pads aren't used, etc., etc. All that stuff happens because the correct locations are not selected and proper methods aren't applied.
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Video was certainly informative but too fast paced for my low bandwidth visual cortex. So, I took screen shots of the alternative lifting points.
The takeaway from your second screen grab should be that if using a floor jack with padded cup, the frame rails are perfectly fine to jack against to lift a Sprinter... not to imply that there aren't many other industry standard safe choices too.
To repeat.
Mercedes has a very specific list for where NOT TO jack a Sprinter when using a floor jack. Of course that list isn't all inclusive. They specify not jacking against axle tubes. If the differential case is a problem wouldn't it make sense for them to include that along with the axle tube comment? It is all the same assembly.
Jack as you wish. Carry on.
vic
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