Looking for a Transmission Jack

[TX Benz Driver]

I'm getting ready to remove my transmission from my 500SL and am looking for a transmission jack to help with this project. The issue is that I have a MaxJack two post lift that only brings the bottom of the car up about 4 feet off the ground. It appears as though transmission jacks come in two flavors - low with a max lift of about 24 inches or higher jacks that start at 50 inches and go up to 70+ inches.
I'm looking for something in between that can get to about 50 inches and down to about 20.
Unless I can find something to meet my needs my next option would be to do everything but pull the transmission, lower the lift to utilize the low jack and pull the transmission at that time. Once the transmission is out, raise the car back up and pull the transmission out from under the car.
Yeah, I know it's nice to have that option, but still it would be nicer to remove the transmission with the car at full height.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Mark

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Cheers Mark!

Man do I wish I've had the lift that you do when I pulled transmission out of my 95 SL500... 722.364 Rebuild

you can see the height I had to work with, however, the basic jack that I borrowed from a friend ( 450 lbs. Low Lift Transmission Jack ) did the job at the height of the car that you seen in this pic



I'm sure that there are better jacks available, but this basic free loaner worked just fine

Regards,
D

 

[TX Benz Driver]

I wish I had the guts to try a rebuild on my own. I'll have to put the car on the lift tomorrow to see how much room I will have when that jack is fully extended.

Thanks for the insight.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

This rebuild - wasn't much of a choice... Either I can rebuild it myself, of the car becomes a parts car (almost did) I didn't have much to loose. Let's not forget there are many encouraging members too!

There are many online videos for 722.3 rebuild, online manuals and such. All in all, as weird as it may sound, I enjoyed the process, and I knew that I replaced just about everything in it, just just what was needed... You sure you don't want to tackle it?

Regards,
D

 

[Kyiv]

@Duh_Vinci, could you describe in what sequence you've raised your car for it to end up as in the picture?

 

[gerryvz]

When I did the transmission remove/install on my ex-wife's E320 wagon, I used the low Harbor Freight transmission jack, and like DV I had the car up on jack stands with a couple of pieces of 2x4 on top of the stands for a little extra height. I had plenty of room to do the removal and install.

Basically I used the jack to lower the transmission as far as I could once I had unbolted it from the rear of the block. However, there wasn't enough room to roll the jack+transmission out from under the car. What I did was to carefully wrestle the transmission off of the jack onto a moving blanket on the garage floor, and then pull it straight out. Instllation was the reverse of removal -- pulled the rebuilt transmission under the car, put it on the jack, and then raised it carefully into position.

Not optimal, but not having a lift in my former Texas garage, it was the best I could do.

 

[liviu165]

@TX Benz Driver : You could start with the car ~2 feet of the ground and the jack Duh_Vinci and Gerry mentioned (the one from HFT) under the transmission. After you separate the transmission completely from the engine and pull it (back) away from the engine, raise the car to 4' and also lower the jack with the transmission to roll it away from under the car.

I have two of those jacks and I consider them very useful. I think what I just described will work in your case.

EDIT: Here are other pictures of those jacks in action (just for the fun of them):

 

[Glen]

When I did the transmission remove/install on my ex-wife's E320 wagon, I used the low Harbor Freight transmission jack, and like DV I had the car up on jack stands with a couple of pieces of 2x4 on top of the stands for a little extra height. I had plenty of room to do the removal and install.

Basically I used the jack to lower the transmission as far as I could once I had unbolted it from the rear of the block. However, there wasn't enough room to roll the jack+transmission out from under the car. What I did was to carefully wrestle the transmission off of the jack onto a moving blanket on the garage floor, and then pull it straight out. Instllation was the reverse of removal -- pulled the rebuilt transmission under the car, put it on the jack, and then raised it carefully into position.

Not optimal, but not having a lift in my former Texas garage, it was the best I could do.

Wait...you used a tool from Harbor Freight? I'm shocked!

 

[gerryvz]

Wait...you used a tool from Harbor Freight? I'm shocked!

Once in a great while, I have to "slum" it .....

 

[TX Benz Driver]

@TX Benz Driver : You could start with the car ~2 feet of the ground and the jack Duh_Vinci and Gerry mentioned (the one from HFT) under the transmission. After you separate the transmission completely from the engine and pull it (back) away from the engine, raise the car to 4' and also lower the jack with the transmission to roll it away from under the car.

I have two of those jacks and I consider them very useful. I think what I just described will work in your case.

EDIT: Here are other pictures of those jacks in action (just for the fun of them):

View attachment 119016

That's the approach I was going to take if I couldn't find the mid range jack I was hoping for.

I also have the exact same engine hoist you have in the above photo..

 

[Glen]

Not specifically a transmission jack but you might consider using one of these:

1000 lb. Capacity Hydraulic Table Cart

Amazing deals on this 1000Lb Hydraulic Table Cart at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Doesn't go as high as you want but you could potentially build a wood cradle on top of it to hold the transmission.

 

[gsxr]

Not specifically a transmission jack but you might consider using one of these:

1000 lb. Capacity Hydraulic Table Cart

Amazing deals on this 1000Lb Hydraulic Table Cart at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Doesn't go as high as you want but you could potentially build a wood cradle on top of it to hold the transmission.

Those lift tables are cool. There are versions which lift higher, but the cost a pretty penny. Example:

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200696310_200696310

 

[gerryvz]

Or you could combine a transmission jack ON TOP OF a lift cart. That's probably what I would do if I were in your situation.

But of course, per @Glen, I would have to use German-made cart and jack

 

[TX Benz Driver]

Wish I still had my welder. I'd make a lift similar to the one I made when I had a plane...

I think I will go with the low lift jack, but may build a platform to get it off the ground a little higher.

 

[liviu165]

Not specifically a transmission jack but you might consider using one of these:

1000 lb. Capacity Hydraulic Table Cart

Amazing deals on this 1000Lb Hydraulic Table Cart at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Doesn't go as high as you want but you could potentially build a wood cradle on top of it to hold the transmission.

Wait...you're suggesting a tool from Harbor Freight? I'm shocked!

 

[Duh_Vinci]

@Duh_Vinci, could you describe in what sequence you've raised your car for it to end up as in the picture?

I have 4 ramps and 2 jacks... Lifted front a little first so I can slide low profile quick jack under the cross member, lifted the front enough to slide the wood platforms with the the ramps... Using both jacks we simultaneously lifted the rear to slide the ramps under the rear wheels. Supported additionally with jack stands. Here is another view:



Regards,
D

 

[Duh_Vinci]

When I did the transmission remove/install on my ex-wife's E320 wagon, I used the low Harbor Freight transmission jack, and like DV I had the car up on jack stands with a couple of pieces of 2x4 on top of the stands for a little extra height. I had plenty of room to do the removal and install.

Basically I used the jack to lower the transmission as far as I could once I had unbolted it from the rear of the block. However, there wasn't enough room to roll the jack+transmission out from under the car. What I did was to carefully wrestle the transmission off of the jack onto a moving blanket on the garage floor, and then pull it straight out. Instllation was the reverse of removal -- pulled the rebuilt transmission under the car, put it on the jack, and then raised it carefully into position.

Not optimal, but not having a lift in my former Texas garage, it was the best I could do.

And that DIY transmission removal by @gerryvz btw served me as guidance a great deal, thank you!

 

[Glen]

Wait...you're suggesting a tool from Harbor Freight? I'm shocked!

LOL...absolutely.
Harbor Freight has some specific tools that are fantastic at great prices!

 

[gsxr]

Harbor Freight has some specific tools that are fantastic at great prices!

VERY specific, but for those items, they really are fantastic. Like the 390-lumen cordless light bar for example. That thing is golden.

 

[TX Benz Driver]

Well, I have a plan...
I have a hand cart that can roll around, so, I built a box from 2 X 4's to allow the jack to get up to the transmission. Real sturdy and I'll strap it to the hand cart before trying to remove the transmission. My only question is that this jack drops about 17" and I'm concerned it that will be enough to get this out from under the car. I don't really want to rig the transmission to drop it enough to remove it.

The other issue I'm having is that the bolt that holds the dip stick tube to the rear of the right side head is not coming out. I've soaked it in penetrating oil and smacked it with a punch to try to loosen things up, but it hasn't budged yet. Without removing this bolt the dip stick tube may not survive the transmission removal. The area it is located is very tight, wedged in between the head and the firewall. It's difficult to get to to say The least. I've considered getting a Dremel to make a cut across the head of the bolt (allen head) to get a screwdriver bit in to try to turn the bolt. Failing that just grinding the head off, which won't be easy, but thought I'd ask here to see if anyone has any ideas.
UPDATE: After much cussing, swearing, penetrating oil and prayer I got the bolt out!!!

Thanks in advance.

 

[TX Benz Driver]

The hillbilly jack worked well. Rolled out from under the car with about 1/2" to spare. Success!!
Now just need my rebuilt transmission to arrive from Sun Valley and get this thing back on the road!!

Thanks for the input and ideas. It was Gerry and Glen that gave me the idea to build a lift on top of my hand cart to remove the tranny.

Thanks again guys!!!

 

[TX Benz Driver]

Apparently COVID hit Sun Valley Transmissions hard and it was about a month for me to get my transmission. Finally arrived this week and I was able to get it into place in the car without much trouble. Time to finish up the install and get this thing back on the road!!

I did have a bad case of "While I'm There Itis" and ended up replacing the motor mounts, transmission flex hoses, tie rod ends, lower control arms with new bushings and ball joints, flex disks, steering damper and a few other small items.

 

[Glen]

Nice. I'm dropping my car off at Sun Valley tomorrow for a sorely needed trans rebuild.