Mercedes Snow Tires bought on Craigs, Whoops don't fit! spacer? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MNBenz · #1 11-25-2012, 12:04 PM

I bought a set of 205 60 15 Nokian Hakkapeliitta Q's on black steelies (were from MB 280)

I put them on and the go onto the hub too far, do I need a spacer of some sort? I paid 300 for these, they are in good shape with 10/32nds. Not sure if I should just sell or figure out how to make these work. Thanks for any advice!

Simpler=Better · #2 11-27-2012, 10:56 AM

The wheel sits into the wheel well too deep?

You can buy spacers pretty inexpensively-just be sure to measure twice before ordering them. You might also need longer lug bolts with spacers installed.

oldsinner111 · #3 11-27-2012, 12:42 PM

lots of spacers on Ebay with bolts

Stretch · #4 11-27-2012, 01:44 PM

You are fitting these to a W123? (It looks like it in the picture)

For starters you need to find out what the offset is for the 15 inch wheels you've bought.

Here's a thread over on BW that has a fair amount of information =>

Stock W201 wheels will fit on a W123, yes or no? - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

MBeige · #5 11-27-2012, 02:36 PM

If the wheel offset is correct for W123:

You do not need spacers. Rather, you'll need the correct shorter 21mm shank length lug bolts.

MNBenz · #6 11-28-2012, 10:41 PM

Thanks a lot for the help guys! I figured out what I bought are ET49 and stock bundts are ET30. So I am 19 off....20MM spacers should work.

I have been reading about spacers being unsafe which is making me a little nervous, but then again it looks like lots of people use spacers. I am no race car driver either

A few better pics of the snow tires, they are pretty cool. I'm thinking the ebay tip is what i'll do...i will report back with results.

Stretch · #7 11-29-2012, 02:40 AM

If you happen to find out what strength specification the wheel bolts should be (i.e. 8.8 or 10.8 etc) I'd be interested to hear about it. Good luck with the spacer search - don't forget you need wheel bolts that will suit the spacer thickness plus the "thin" steel wheel thickness. If the bolts are too long they'll snag...

...if they are too short...

Peter Guenther · #8 11-29-2012, 08:42 AM

Why spacers MB steel wheels require short bolts. My 01 E wagon came with a steel rim on the spare and shorter bolts in the tool kit. I found a standard wheel and had the tire remounted, got rid of the short bolts. When using the long bolts on steel wheels the rear brakes get messed up

TheDon · #9 11-29-2012, 09:00 AM

Make sure the spacer, if you need one, is hubcentric.

Stretch · #10 11-29-2012, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Guenther

Why spacers MB steel wheels require short bolts. My 01 E wagon came with a steel rim on the spare and shorter bolts in the tool kit. I found a standard wheel and had the tire remounted, got rid of the short bolts. When using the long bolts on steel wheels the rear brakes get messed up

For wheels that are designed for a W123 (these are commonly 14 inch wheels) you do indeed need shorter bolts for the steel wheels - if you fit the bolts for a cast / forged alloy wheel to a steel wheel you will probably end up with snagging on the front (I'm not too sure about the rear - perhaps there too).

However, in the situation of this thread the 15 inch steel wheel in the picture shown above is not deigned for a W123. To make them fit you need a spacer to adjust for the larger wheel offset. The wheel bolts need to be long enough to hold the wheel and the spacer in place; but not so long that they snag on the parts behind the hub.