Alloy Wheels nut length problem

[MarineSoft]

I have recently brought a set of second hand 18" alloys for my '98 CLK. The fitment is correct but I have having serious problems getting the correct length nut/bolt for the wheels.

I have the 16" standard Merc alloys on at the moment with the 20mm thread with 20mm shank. The nuts/bolts are too long for the new alloys.

The alloys have the taper/camber so I need to get the Merc bolts, but Merc says that they don't do the size that I need.

The steel wheels have a 20mm thread and no shank, I need nut/bolts that are 25-28mm thread (or 20mm thread 5 - 8mm shank).

Does anybody know of anywhere I can get them from?
I have tried the place where I got the alloys, they can't help. I have tried alloy wheel places and they point me to Mercedes, and Mercedes point me to the alloy wheel places.

Thanks

 

[marnix]

Get the saw out and some elbow grease.

 

[Dave's E55 AMG]

I've seen them on ebay

 

[television]

Not to clear here, the original bolts for you car and wheels were 12mm diameter, and that when inserted in the wheel, leaves 20mm sticking out to go into the hub.

the above would be correct.

What wheels have you bought, were they from a later car that uses 14mm diameter bolts, or are they 12mm as well.

Malcolm

 

[type49]

Does'nt sound like they're MB wheels from those measurments. Do they have an MB part number on one of the spokes on the back? It should have a small 3 pointed star before part number & then start with A208, A210 or A202.

 

[Blobcat]

I agree with type49 they don't sound like MB wheels

 

[marnix]

Can we only fit original MB alloys to our Mercs?
If someone find an after market set of good quality, is all we can tell them
"It's not original,it has not got the star at the back
If the original bolts are ok except for the length of the tread, then all that is needed is a similar set and 1/2 hour to cut them to the correct length (if you want to refit the originals when you come to sell the car).

 

[Blobcat]

No you can fit aftermarket rims, you just have to be careful that they are hubcentric as MB don't centre with the wheel bolts.

 

[Geoff W]

Hi. I just got some secondhand genuine MB alloys, and had to get the correct bolts as the ones for the steel wheels were incorrect, I got mine from e bay but i have just measured them and they are 20mm threaded part and 20mm shank (Unthreaded) which you state is no good, so i think you must have non genuine alloys?
Regards Geoff.

 

[MarineSoft]

I know there not Genuine MB alloys, I can't afford genuine 18" MB alloys.

The original/current bolts that are on the car are 12mm with the 20mm thread sticking out of the back of the current alloy wheels.
I'm pretty certain that the new alloys are 12mm, but a 14mm thread does fit in the wheel. The thread on the steel wheel nut is only showing about 15mm out the back of the new alloys and I gather that isn't enough.

I'll be throwing the original alloys away so i'm not bothered about the old bolts, its just with the 20mm shank, they'll be bugger all 2-8mm) thread left if I cut them down to the correct size.

 

[television]

This is what I thought when I read the thread, that is they have 14 mm bolts.

The taper on the 14 mm bolts is not the same as the 12mm and you cant bolt them on with those bolts as if you hit one bump or kerb the wheel it will break away.

If the holes in the wheels are the same taper as the MB 14mm and they should be you can get cone adaptors the fit the bolts, once these are fitted the lenght of the bolt should be OK.

Other problems What is the ET of the wheels that you have bought, if you deviate more than 5mm per side the ESP will malfunction.

next problem, are the new wheels hub centric, that is do they have flange the fit onto the MB wheel hub, if they do nor, you could find the wheels impossible to balance.


Your alternertive to the cones is to have a set of 14mm bolts turned down and threaded to 12mm,

malcolm

 

[Parrot of Doom]

If you can't find any, I suggest you find your nearest machine shop and get a man to make some. It won't be cheap though.

 

[type49]

I know there not Genuine MB alloys, I can't afford genuine 18" MB alloys.


I'm pretty certain that the new alloys are 12mm, but a 14mm thread does fit in the wheel.

QUOTE]

If a 14mm bolt goes through the hole then it sounds like you have bought wheels for an SL129, E211 or S140. There are bolt specialists that can supply you a 14mm shank with a 12mm thread to your required length. I'm sure someone can post a link. You do need to find out if the centre hole is correct for your car as this is used to centralise the wheel. If the centre hole is too big for your hub, you will get wheel wobble, flat spot tyres, crap ride etc. Also you need to check the offset (ET number) & see if it's compatable, else you will get tramlining/bump-steer. Also, do they clear the arches + the shocker?

 

[television]

I have a link for the cone inserts somewhere if he wants it.

malcolm

 

[MarineSoft]

I'll take the link.

But if there is a chance that they won't fit/work because of other reasons, I might aswell take them back. They said they would give me a full refund if I couldn't get them to fit. I'm 99% that the offset is correct & you can get CLK's with that size wheels, so I don't think there should be a problem with the arches or shocks.

 

[television]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GENUINE-AMG-M...7QQihZ018QQcategoryZ28648QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


This guy knows MB wheels well, give him a ring, and you will get the answers,mostly as posted here.

Do watch the balance issue. Good luck

Malcolm