I just went to an auto shop to try and install my rims. I got a set of 20 inches from ebay. However, it did not work because the OEM lug nuts didnt fit the holes on the wheels. Therefore, I need to know if anyone knows where I could buy the right nuts? I really need help on this. Thanks.

Try here....http://www.prestigewheel.com/mainBolts.htm

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Rick

'85 380 SL (sold)
'85 Carrera Flatnose
'71 280 SL Signal Red/Cognac

hey Rick, thanks for the link! The site is extremely helpful! However, I do not know the size of the OEM ML lug nuts.. and the application diagram on that site didnt list the size for ML. Do you know if the Merc lug nuts are ball seat or cone seat?

Another thing I am concerned with is that the lug nuts I need for my new rims needed to be smaller(diameter)... so i m not sure which one i should get. But I will email them anywayz.. thanks again!

I think the ML uses a 14mm lug bolt. I suspect you have wheels that require a 12mm bolt... so, the lug bolts you have won't fit through the holes in the wheels you have, right?
Bottom line is that buying smaller bolts won't help you ... they will go through the wheel holes but won't fit the threads in the vehicle's hub.
You need a different set of wheels.
Sorry, KenP

Mercedes uses a ball seat on their OEM stuff.

Hey Ken,
As I recall from yesterday, it was not necessarily that I need smaller bolts, its the diameter of the "ball area" thats too big... you understand what I am trying to say? So I think 14mm will fit, but i need to find bolts with smaller diameter of the ball area.. i dunno if i am making any sense..

it might be true that the rims dont fit the car... but i just hope thats not the case.

I'm not positive, but I think the ball seats are proportional to the thread diameter - that is, the ball seat on a 14mm bolt/nut is wider across than the ball seat on a 12mm bolt/nut. This may be what Ken was referring to.

Ok, i say what you guys are saying.. so in that sense, does that mean theres no way for me to put the rims on my truck? Is there any modification i could do to the rims or whatever in order for them to fit?

Not sure there's much you can do...
If the threaded section of the bolt goes thru the mounting plate of the wheel OK, can't imagine why the ball seat is too large in diameter to fit into the wheel... you can test this by taking one of your OEM bolts and trying to put it into the wheel from the back.
A good machine shop can certainly make bolt/seat holes larger, but I'd be concerned about wheel integrity and wouldn't recommend it.
You certainly can't reduce the ball seat diameter of the OEM bolts... the seat diameter is critical to the contact area of the bolt to the wheel and therefore the amount of stress loading on the wheel hub. I assume these wheels are aluminum... not the strongest material known to man.
Certainly sounds like these wheels were not made to go on an ML; makes me wonder if the offset, etc is right...
If that's not enough, consider this... Mercedes used 12mm bolts on smaller/lighter cars. They used the 14mm bolts on ML and S Class that require more strength. If your wheels are indeed for a lighter vehicle (don't forget Audi, etc use the same bolt pattern), they may not be strong enough overall for your truck.
You could have a wheel fail under heavy loading (pot hole, etc).
Think you've got some real safety issues here...
I'd sell 'em and get the right wheels for your truck.
Sorry, KenP

hey Ken,
Thanks for your detailed reply.. I just went down to the basement and check the diatmeter of the holes on the wheels. I measured the holes' diameter from the back, and it seems like they are somewhere between 14-15mm... so i suppose the lugs i need would be 14? I also checked what type of lug the wheels need, I am pretty sure i need ball seat ones. However, i have no idea why the ball seat area of the oem lugs didnt fit..

I have asked a few auto mechanics and wheel experts, and they believe that the load capacity of these wheels should be good enough for my truck.

I did try to sell them again on ebay before... however, it didnt work.

the 14mm diameter lug bolt has a 14mm radius ball seat .... if your wheels are not designed to accept the 14mm radius they most likely do not have the proper load capacity. On another note not all wheels have ball lug seats some have conical lug seats and a ball seat bolt will not fit a conical seat wheel ... that may be your problem

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Please, call me to place orders or for more info
use my name for on-line orders

I have a set of 20 brand new Lug Bolts for sale, but I didn't know how to link to my previous thread. You can find details and a drawing if you search on my user name, Stuart S. Should fit all chassis except S-Class, but measure your wheels to be certain. Ball seat. Thread pitch 12mm x 1.50 RH, 17mm Hex, 40mm shank, 67mm overall. $45.00 plus shipping.

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'93 600SL 20k miles

How do I figure out what kind of lugs i need? Like exactly, how can i measure it?
Also, I think someone mentioned that M-class requires same fitment of lugs as the S.. is that right? If it is, i suppose i cant buy ur set then... i hope someone can clarify and confirm for me.. thanks

I doubt that my 12mm bolts will work. Try contacting the wheel manufacturer or distributor - they should have lug bolts in varyious lengths to fit their wheel. The name of the manufacturer should be cast inside the wheel. Find the manufacturer by searching Google.

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'93 600SL 20k miles

hey, i just took out one of my OEM nut, and try to see if the threaded area fit the back of my 20inches rims... and they do! so i suppose that the 20inches does use the 14mm nuts... the only thing i am not sure is that if its ball seat or cone seat.. would dat be the problem? so can anyone help me out? how can i find out whether the wheels need ball seat or cone seat nuts? thanks.

ape,

it should be fairly easy by direct observation to see if the "seat" on your new wheels has a surface that is ball (dished) or cone (funnel) shaped.

as to 12/14 size. with wheel off, will the "new" bolts thread into your hubs?

***CAUTION***

WHATEVER bolt you use with your new wheel, you MUST measure to insure you have a proper amount of bolt thread engagement.

place your old bolt thru your old wheel to completly seated, measure the amount of thread exposed past the back hub mounting surface.

repeat for new wheel and bolt to make sure the thread engagement will be VERY close to the same dimension.

a little longer with no interference "should" be OK, but if the new wheel/bolt assembly is shorter by more than 1or2 MM, you will need to get lugs of the proper length.

im not kidding you dude, make dam# sure your lugs are the proper length !!!

i hope that helps, - benton