w124 and w126 wheel swap - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

gavinbr · #1 02-15-2006, 02:40 PM

Hello,

Has anybody run in to this problem?

I thought I would update my 1982/126/300sd by adding the wheels from my w124/1989/300e.

The rims wouldn't directly fit because of different offset issues. So i purchased some spacers for the w126/300sd.
well installed them and it looked great.
However around 55 mph i gota very bad wheel shimmy.

Any ideas what the issues resoultion could be?

I had to remove them because the shimmy was to bad.

please advise

brian

dieseldiehard · #2 02-15-2006, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gavinbr

Hello,

Has anybody run in to this problem?

I thought I would update my 1982/126/300sd by adding the wheels from my w124/1989/300e.

The rims wouldn't directly fit because of different offset issues. So i purchased some spacers for the w126/300sd.
well installed them and it looked great.
However around 55 mph i gota very bad wheel shimmy.

Any ideas what the issues resoultion could be?

I had to remove them because the shimmy was to bad.

please advise

brian

Were they hub centric spacers? probably not.
Now you know why Australia outlawed the use of wheel spacers, or so I was told.

Brian Carlton · #3 02-15-2006, 10:06 PM

The cost to manufacture and sell a proper set of spacers, with the necessary accuracy to perform the task, without causing vibration, is over $300. for the four wheels. If you paid less than this amount, you have procured a set of paperweights. They don't allow the wheel to run concentric with the spindle to an accuracy of .0005", which is necessary for smooth operation at high speed.

t walgamuth · #4 02-16-2006, 03:16 AM

to hear you are having this problem.

i have no solutions to offer that include using spacers, sorry.

but you can probably sell off the wheels to someone who really needs them and find the right ones for yourself.

tom w

Hatterasguy · #5 02-18-2006, 09:23 PM

The solution is to buy the right wheel. You need to find an 86-91 W126 and get a set of 15 hole wheels off one of them. The W124 uses a different offset.

gavinbr · #6 03-14-2006, 09:50 PM

Hello,

Guys I have a W126 and W124. I upgraded my wheels on my w124. So I had some perfectly good wheels and tires that needed a home.

I understand the offset is different, consequently the spacers. The company that sold them to me said they would fit a Mercedes. I didn't realize that these would not be concentric. I do now however!

For anybody wanting to do this, with a 1982 w126 and any w124 wheels, it will work OK if you get 1/2" concentric spacers and longer bolts.

Gavinbr

dieseldiehard · #7 03-15-2006, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gavinbr

Hello,

Guys I have a W126 and W124. I upgraded my wheels on my w124. So I had some perfectly good wheels and tires that needed a home.

I understand the offset is different, consequently the spacers. The company that sold them to me said they would fit a Mercedes. I didn't realize that these would not be concentric. I do now however!

For anybody wanting to do this, with a 1982 w126 and any w124 wheels, it will work OK if you get 1/2" concentric spacers and longer bolts.

Gavinbr

OK, sorry the bad experience. it happens.
Having the right tire without a spacer issue will prevent any problems down the road. One tire shop I was in said they wouldn't accept a car for new tires if it had spacers involved (assuming that meant the non-hub centric spacers).

As for selling the tires and wheels, you could list the info on the Parts for sale section and probably find someone that is interested. The wheel part numbers (located in the casting, on the backside) would be nice to have.
Its easier and cheaper to sell the wheels with tires mounted, as the cost to remove a tire has to be factored in, most places charge for removing a tire. My Indy doesn't charge for removing one, FWIW.

ohiomike · #8 04-03-2006, 12:17 PM

I SWITCHED RIMS W/TIRES FROM 1991 300SE (205x65) WITH 1992 300D(195x65). THE OFFSET ON THE RIMS WAS DIFFERNT SO I HAD TO ALSO SWITCH THE LUGNUTS. EVERYTHING CAME OUT FINE EXCEPT THE 1991 300SE FRONT WHEEL CENTER HUBCAP STARS PUSHED OUT JUST A BIT.

THE NOW WIDER 1992 300D WITH "S" CLASS RIMS NOW RIDES AND HANDLES MUCH BETTER.

"UPDATE"......THE 300SE WITH 300D RIMS WONT WORK.....HAD TO UNDO ALL THE WHEEL RIM SWITCHES I MADE.....HOPE THIS SAVES OTHER FROM MISTAKES. IT WAS THE OFFSETS THAT PREVENTED THE SWITCH.

gavinbr · #9 07-03-2007, 09:21 PM

Hello,

I finally resolved my spacer problem.

The w124/1989 wheel rims I installed on my 300sd/w126 now work ok.
It turned out the the tires from the w124 were out of round. The spacers were Ok!

I purchased new tires and now it runs like champ.

Brian

Sev · #10 08-16-2007, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

The cost to manufacture and sell a proper set of spacers, with the necessary accuracy to perform the task, without causing vibration, is over $300. for the four wheels. If you paid less than this amount, you have procured a set of paperweights. They don't allow the wheel to run concentric with the spindle to an accuracy of .0005", which is necessary for smooth operation at high speed.

i've used 5mm spacers on my 190e that were bought on ebay for like $20, and i've taken my car up to 110mph without vibration.

course your definition of high is probably not the same as mine

Hatterasguy · #11 08-16-2007, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sev

i've used 5mm spacers on my 190e that were bought on ebay for like $20, and i've taken my car up to 110mph without vibration.

course your definition of high is probably not the same as mine

Those are the kinds of spacers that can cause a wheel to fall off. The wheel bolts are ment to hold the wheel to the hub, the hub supports the car. If you extend the wheel out, the hub doesn't do this as well. Thats why those H&R spacers cost a fortune, they extend the hub. Its the proper way to do spacers on these cars.

I rather just buy the right wheels and avoid spacers all together!