Rainy Night, Hit a curb. Need new rim(s)/tires - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Sbean · #16 09-24-2007, 02:10 AM

Is it possible traction was diminished by grease and grime floating on the first rain of the season? Steve

t walgamuth · #17 09-24-2007, 05:59 AM

The tread, while legal looking is beginning to be marginal for safety. Also wider tires will float more easily than narrower in rain. The two o fives are about the right size in a fifteen or sixteen inch. The one twenty four rims will be the wrong offset I think, but the one twenty six rims will bolt on. The one twenty six rims are a bit heavier though and will make it ride noticably harder.

Tom W

MBDFahrer · #18 09-27-2007, 03:21 PM

Well, trying to borrow the set of tires from the 123 has turned into a project in itself. The monkey at the tire shop used a impact to put them on and boy does it show. I've twisted my mb tire iron a full 90 degrees and only managed to get 2 of the 4 tires off (this is also with a generous soaking of pb blaster AND Liquid Wrench Penetrating Oil).

winmutt · #19 09-27-2007, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmak124

Well, trying to borrow the set of tires from the 123 has turned into a project in itself. The monkey at the tire shop used a impact to put them on and boy does it show. I've twisted my mb tire iron a full 90 degrees and only managed to get 2 of the 4 tires off (this is also with a generous soaking of pb blaster AND Liquid Wrench Penetrating Oil).

The mb tire iron is only meant for roadside emergencies. 1/4" breaker bar will do wonders

MBDFahrer · #20 09-27-2007, 03:29 PM

Here's some pictures

The "cheater" bar:

and the iron:

Hatterasguy · #21 09-27-2007, 04:13 PM

W124 wheels will not work, the offset is incorrect. If you want the 15 hole look find an post 86 W126 and steal the wheels. They are everywhere I had 20 sitting downstairs at one point!

Got rid of them all thankfully!

I bet you bent a tie rod or the LCA.

MBDFahrer · #22 09-27-2007, 04:42 PM

Call me an idiot, but I still have no clue what the offset is. And now I know that the tire iron is for emergencies only (Although I'd rather find out the thing twisted at home than when i'm stranded somewhere).

tgingrich · #23 09-27-2007, 05:26 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/16-x-7-Ronal-Centra-wheels-for-Mercedes-Benz_W0QQitemZ130156314416QQihZ003QQcategoryZ43956QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

t walgamuth · #24 09-28-2007, 06:05 AM

I would use a half inch breaker. the quarter inch is not heavy enough.

Tom W

MBDFahrer · #25 10-05-2007, 06:16 PM

I got my temporary set of bundts on the 126, tried to get a set of tires for it from a tire shop recommended by a few friends. Well, my experience surely wasn't as good as theirs.
They tell me that 14 inch tires are rare and tried to sell me a set of rims/tires from a CLS for $800. I decided to just hold off on the tires and get a alignment, and these were the readings:

The guy said nothing looks physically bent except for the knuckle (steering knuckle?). What really puzzles me is I hit the curb on the left rim, but the alignment is tweaked on the right side. He then proceeds to tell me MBs don't have much adjustment for toe, camber and caster. Is this guy just full of it or am I really screwed?

Sayr · #26 10-06-2007, 12:25 PM

I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure that guy is full of it about the possible alignment factors on Mercedes cars.

I know he's full of it about the 14" tires. They aren't the most readily available size, but about 1/2 the tire shops out there have a small selection of them. The only thing is that the "H" rated 14" tires are harder to find. You want "H" for better cornering (not "S" or worse). If I'm not mistaken, you want a tire width between 185-195.

Check out this eBay auction for a full set of perfect condition Ronal Centra 16x8's:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/16-inch-MERCEDES-BENZ-CHROME-WHEELS-RIMS-SET-OF-4_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43956QQihZ006QQitemZ160163750072QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

item #: 160163750072

The guy only wants $200 for them. I think he doesn't know what he has. After all, he put up a picture of a car with what he thinks are his rims... the car in his picture has 15" 15-hole SEL rims. It's a picture from a Mercedes gallery I've seen many times (a regular poster on this forum has the link in his signature).

tankdriver · #27 10-06-2007, 05:16 PM

What's the stock size wheel/tire?
I second the BS about 14" tires. I would get tires at tirerack, they usually work out to the same price as getting them from a store.

MBDFahrer · #28 10-07-2007, 05:15 AM

Thanks for the replies. I'm not sure about getting another set of Ronals, I'm actually contemplating on getting a set of 15 holes from a later model 126. I'm still questioning the alignment and wondering how much adjustment there is for each thing (camber, caster, toe).

t walgamuth · #29 10-07-2007, 07:29 AM

I would call a local person if you can find one who buys and sells old benzes a lot and ask who does his alignment. then go there and get a second opinion. if there is no small dealers like that just call around and discuss it with them until you find one who makes you comfortable about knowing something about benzes.

They are extremely well built chassis and have plenty of adjustability imho.

Too many mechanics will bs you if they have no experience with benzes. They are intimidated by them and don't want to admit it.

Tom W

Lexxani · #30 10-15-2007, 08:36 PM

Just a thought, if your having trouble getting your lug bolts off, try hitting the offender with a "Heat tool" (kinda like an industrial strength hair dryer) you can get them for like $30-50 at Home Depot. I have used this method over and over again and it works, most recently to loosen a bolt on the door latch on my W107. That guy probably hadn't been touched since '78, the heat method worked like a charm.