Check your jack

[Skip51]

Today I was going to install Sumosprings on my 2400W when I ran into a problem. I went to use the Mercedes jack that came with the MH and it didn't work. It works fine with no weight on it but if you try to jack up the MH the inner piston comes up and makes contact with the frame, then the outer piston comes up around the inner until it makes contact with the frame then it all just sits there, not moving no matter how long you pump it. I've been a fairy competent shade tree mechanic for about 45 years and I know how to use a jack (and rather long winded it seems). I tried opening and closing the valve a few times, even turing the pistons, nothing.
The point is I would suggest every one with a MBS MH pull out the jack and make sure it actual works. Imagine being in the middle of nowhere, no cell service and you can't change a flat because the jack don't jack.
I'll update this if Meredes says anything other than "here's you're new jack"

[Mikegjax]

I have used mine and it works.

[KatanaPilot]

Don't know about the jack, but I took my Forester MBS to a Mercedes/Sprinter dealer to have the tires balanced. They said they couldn't do it because once it was on the lift - the equipment they had couldn't lift a wheel off the ground (or off the lift ramps). Go figure...

I used my floor jack and jack stands to install the Sumos, but I guess I need to see if the supplied bottle jack can actually lift a MBS at gross weight.

Thanks for the heads up...

[Berny]

Good tip mine is new and I have not gotten to that yet. I'll be watching for MBS response.

[OldCoot]

Not to be demeaning, but did you check the oil level in the jack, assuming it is hydraulic?

[Skip51]

As far as I'm concerned, if a bottle jack arrives in a new MH with low oil, it's defective. How many people do you know that know how to check the hydraulic fluid level, much less carry any with them on a trip.
The jack is one of those things most people just assume work. I would feel terrible hearing someone got stuck some where and knowing there was a potential problem, didn't say anything.

[Wattsworld]

I have used hydraulic jacks for years and found that low hydraulic fluid is the biggest problem with them. One jack I had would never seem to leak, but I added fluid to it more then any other jack. It was a good thing your found the problem now instead of being out on the road. Good luck in getting it taken care of.

[SeaDog]

X2 with OC and Wattsworld. Check the level and give it a try or get new jack.

[Still Kickin]

Lets review; one says gee, shouldn't a brand new jack provided with my Mercedes Benz vehicle work. Another suggests to check oil level and add if necessary to possibly make it function new from the factory. I haven't looked at mine yet to see if you can add oil, so to Coots suggestion, somebody take a look and see if there is a fill location. I'm guessing it's defective seals allowing blow by, but just a guess.
Conclusion; Those who have already used their MBS jacks please report back with a yah or nah, so we can see what the product failure rate is, if significant. Just sayin'

P.S. all others (non MBS owners) put your fingers in mittens please, until owners have a chance to respond with useful data.

[SeaDog]

Don't have any mittens grew out of them many years ago and feel helpful suggestions are good anytime regardless of if it falls under the category of useful data.

[DaveJordan]

I've used my jack several times re anti-sway bar and sumo springs. No problem.

Dave

[Loefflerh]

Used it in year 3 of my Solera - flawless.....

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Skip51

As far as I'm concerned, if a bottle jack arrives in a new MH with low oil, it's defective. How many people do you know that know how to check the hydraulic fluid level, much less carry any with them on a trip.
The jack is one of those things most people just assume work. I would feel terrible hearing someone got stuck some where and knowing there was a potential problem, didn't say anything.

Stop and consider that other things can and are defective, why not the jack?

[Still Kickin]

Originally Posted by SeaDog

Don't have any mittens grew out of them many years ago and feel helpful suggestions are good anytime regardless of if it falls under the category of useful data.

I'll buy you a pair, just PM me.

Thanks so far for the MBS owners responding, looking like an anomaly is possible here. More replies from MBS owners please, all others see if your mittens still fit!

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Still Kickin

I'll buy you a pair, just PM me.

Thanks so far for the MBS owners responding, looking like an anomaly is possible here. More replies from MBS owners please, all others see if your mittens still fit!

I see you threw yours away.

You don't have to own a MBS to know enough to make sure there is oil in a hydraulic jack.

[Iwannacamp]

A friend of mine who is pretty wise told me NEW does not spell GOOD.
As a new in box pole saw didn't work out of the box and we were 75 miles from home.


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[Wattsworld]

Does Mercedes make their jacks differently then other company's? I would think that hydraulic jacks are pretty much built the same.

[Ford Idaho]

I'd bet MB does NOT make the jack/s or test them.

[JLeising]

Replaced a tire with a valve stem leak a couple of years ago. Jack worked fine.

[bob dirt]

I used the factory installed rear stabilizing jacks to get the tires off the ground (even though instructions say not to) when installing my rear sumos. My MB supplied tire changing jack works just fine on the much lighter front end.