86 correct wheels ?

[greg walsh]

Hi,A few days ago I went to install my spare tire on my 86 300SL and found that my lug bolts were too long. The spare is a black I think steel wheel that I think is original. The one's on the car are the alloy 15 hole ones. It's the European model with the smaller bumpers. I just wondered if I had the correct wheels on the car or should I get the ones to match the spare maybe with hub caps. I kinda like the looks of the older wheels anyway. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks!

[rowdie]

Alloys were stock on '86 up 107. 7x15 ET25. Part number 126 400 34 02 which was replaced with 126 400 30 02. Uses a longer bolt. What size is the spare wheel and tire? Did you try mounting on front or rear. If it is a 14" from an earlier 107 it will not fit over the larger front brake calipers.

[DieselPaul]

I've owned several euro cars with factory alloy wheels and a steel spare. If you have 15" 15 hole wheels, you've got the right wheels.

I don't think they did hub caps on an SL after about 77ish. It was all bundts until the facelift in 1986 and that's when the 15" 15 holes came out.

[rowdie]

I too have run into alloy with steel spare on euro and even early North American 107s. The post 9/85 R107s were never equipped with steel wheels.

[greg walsh]

Thanks for the information. I guess I'll keep the alloy wheels and try to find shorter lug bolts for the spare. Greg.

[rowdie]

Try the spare to make sure it will mount on the front. I seriously doubt that it will. If it is a 14" I know it won't. I will try tho find the length of the lug bolts for the steel wheels. They are shorter than the bolts for the early 14" alloys.