e320 mounting wheels
 

After 30 years of repairing 4 different mercedes I am having a simple problem with mounting the wheels on my 2002 e320. Because it uses lug bolts I find if difficult to hold the tires up and line up the wheel bolts. Is there a method to this that I am missing? Thirty minutes to install a wheel with tire seems out of whack much less the stress on my back.

I just ordered two guide pins but I am not sure if this is the answer.

Tom

If the hubs & wheels are stock (and you're not running any kind of the spacer or adapter), the center of the wheel will actually rest on the hub.

Then you just have to line up the holes.

BTW, be careful with the pins. They aren't designed to support the weight of the wheel. Thread it in, then align the wheel over it and slide it all the way onto the hub. Then put in the 4 lug bolts and replace the pin with the last one.

Hope that helps.

Good luck.

Try and align the wheel to match the holes before lifting it, it helps a lot

mounting wheels
 

I tried matching up the holes today and had better success. It is still difficult. I still have the back brakes ahead of me. My back is hoping I do better. Thanks
Tom

Try this on the back: lift the car until the tire is 1.5" off the ground when the chassis is safely supported.

When you go to remount the wheels, place a piece of 2x6 under the rotor and roll the tire up on it. Then you can just rock it back and forth on the wood, since it will be at almost exactly the right height.

The rear will be easier anyway, since the hub won't turn when you rotate the wheel to align the holes (at least if you raise only one wheel at a time).

Hope that helps.

Good luck.

mounting tire
 

The 2x6 sounds like a great idea. I might try driving onto a 2x6 and then jack it up until it just loosens enough to pull the 2x6 loose. It is easier to adjust the jack up than down.
Thanks....Tom

I use a threaded rod (not to long) , screw it in one of the holes (top) and slide the wheel over it.
Makes it much easier.

Rob