broken wheel lugbolt - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 02-19-2003, 08:06 PM

I recently replaced my wheel bearings. Later I noticed that the front passenger's sid was making a rhytmic sort of scraping/ groaning noise. I had written a query inh the diesel discussion and recieved useful feedback.
Today, I tried to lay these bearing demons to rest. I wanted to eliminate any other possible noise culprits. First I centered and glued the wheel spacers to the wheel in order to restore any unbalance. Then I replaced my old brake pads with new ones (I had to sand them down a bit to get proper clearance). I replaced the wheels and tightened the bolts as per the manual to 110nm using a torque wrench.
I took the benz for acruise and all seemed well. the noise had dissappeared and seemed much smoother in general. On the way back, the noise seemed to have returned. After pulling into the driveway, I felt the dust caps and wheels to see if they were hot from perhaps having too tight bearings. They weren't even remotely hot. It was then that I noticed one of the lug bolts just hanging out. Further inspection revealed that the bolt had sheared off. The alignment on my 300sd is far from perfect. I have noticed that the camber is off (top of the tire angled slightly outward).
So, to make a long story short, Could poor suspension geometry be the culprit of the broken bolt? Also could this have caused the noise? How difficult will it be to remove the remaining piece of bolt from my hub?
As always, all help and opinions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

haasman · #2 02-19-2003, 09:02 PM

hotskillet

Wheel spacers .... do you have standard wheels on the car? It sounds like you have at least several problems going.

- If the wheel lug bolts are hanging out it seems that there was too much stress on them, probably from the spacers. Try to get rid of the spacers.

- You need to check all the lugs. They could all be getting ready to shear. Be very careful here.

- Is the top of the tire angled slightly outward when the wheels are going straight? If so it sounds like you have a failed suspension component. This is of great concern. Carefully check your suspension components.

Haasman

#3 02-19-2003, 10:15 PM

A little background here. Just replaced: lower ball joints, tie rods, steering dampener, idler arm repair kit, upper control arms, wheel bearings and brakes. To do: guide rod joints, shocks and lower control arm bushings. I just recently got it together. However, I'm waiting to complete the front end renovation befor I get an alignment.
Yes, you are correct in that my wheels ( seems to be more prominent on pass. side) are angled very slightly outward. The wheels are 15" Centras although, I'm not sure of the offset. My Father - in - law put these wheels on the car. The wheels have two 5mm spacers.
Do you think that there could be any sort of interference problem removing the spacers?
Any how, I'm grateful for your spin on this situation.

Devin

ready-ronnie · #4 02-21-2003, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hotskillet
I recently replaced my wheel bearings. Later I noticed that the front passenger's sid was making a rhytmic sort of scraping/ groaning noise. I had written a query inh the diesel discussion and recieved useful feedback.
Today, I tried to lay these bearing demons to rest. I wanted to eliminate any other possible noise culprits. First I centered and glued the wheel spacers to the wheel in order to restore any unbalance. Then I replaced my old brake pads with new ones (I had to sand them down a bit to get proper clearance). I replaced the wheels and tightened the bolts as per the manual to 110nm using a torque wrench.
I took the benz for acruise and all seemed well. the noise had dissappeared and seemed much smoother in general. On the way back, the noise seemed to have returned. After pulling into the driveway, I felt the dust caps and wheels to see if they were hot from perhaps having too tight bearings. They weren't even remotely hot. It was then that I noticed one of the lug bolts just hanging out. Further inspection revealed that the bolt had sheared off. The alignment on my 300sd is far from perfect. I have noticed that the camber is off (top of the tire angled slightly outward).
So, to make a long story short, Could poor suspension geometry be the culprit of the broken bolt? Also could this have caused the noise? How difficult will it be to remove the remaining piece of bolt from my hub?
As always, all help and opinions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

haasman · #5 02-22-2003, 01:14 AM

Devin

It is doubtful poor suspension geometry is the culprit for the broken bolt.

The wheels/spacers sound worrisome. You are stressing the lug bolts which is very dangerous. If the wheel is correct for the car, it should not require spacers. Verify that the wheel is the correct one for your car.

There may be some who disagree with me, but I don't like the idea of spacers. Get rid of the spacers if you can. If you have to use them to get the wheels to fit, install longer lug bolts but your safest alternative is to change the wheels to ones that fit properly.

Keep us posted,

Haasman

Kebowers · #6 02-22-2003, 06:22 PM

The MBZ wheel/hub system is designed for the hub to fit snugly into the center hole of the wheel for perfect centering. The lug bolts are not designed to center the wheel, but to hold the wheel onto the hub assembly and resist the cornering forces. There is normally no radial (up/down) force on the lug bolts as the wheel fits snugly on the hub and is clamped to the hub by the bolt tension, which fit absorbs all the car weight loads. Improper 'spacers' will not allow that clamping to the hub action and the car weight will constantly try to shear off the lug bolts.

#7 02-23-2003, 09:27 PM

I' sure that you guys are correct. In fact, the spacers are two each 5mm spacers per wheel and they seem like "universal" spacers. Come to think of it, They don't sound very safe at all.
I appreciate your knowledge.