Hi guys, I live quite a few miles out of town so it is important that any member of the family using the car is able to fit the spare, problem is the spare (215/?/16 Pirelli on a steel rim) is too heavy for my wife or my daughter to handle. What would be a lighter weight alternative? I am thinking maybe of a smaller much narrower wheel perhaps from an older Merc , or anything that would be OK for 20 Miles at 20 mph. Are the stud spacings the same on all Mercs?? Also could the use of a smaller wheel cause problems or worse still damage for example to the diff.

dieseldave.

So they can handle the jack, undo the wheel bolts, but not lift the wheel? How are they going to lift the puntured wheel into the boot even if you have a light spare?

I would buy a tin of tyre weld, and a mobile phone in case that doesn't work.

Alternatively, buy a set of alloys. Much lighter, and if you're not too bothered about the style, pretty cheap.

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Cheers, Neil

Hi Neil, Yes tyre goo has provided the answer, I've bought one of the larger canisters and it now lives on top of the spare wheel.
Problem came to light a few weeks ago when my wife and daughter had a puncture , even with both of them they could not fit and centre the spare wheel well enough to get the bolts in. We live out in the sticks so a phone call is not always an option.
Suprisingly there is very little weight difference between the alloy wheels and the spare which is steel so the only way to go would be to downsize.
The goo has yet to prove itself but I'm 90% confident.
Cheers,
dieseldave.

It seems that you need this tool. It is screwed into the brake disc and supports the weight of the tire until you can get the other wheel bolts in. I don't know the official name or part # for it.

Lloyd
89 300TE 180k mi
97 E420 112k mi

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Lloyd

[89 300TE]
[97 E420]
91 300 CE
95 E320 T

Thanks Lloyd, I've just spoken to the local dealership and they say there should be one of these in the spare wheel 'toolkit', so I guess its been lost by the previous owner. Good news is this is not big bucks and they have one in stock. This little gadget should make things easier but I will keep the tyre 'goo' also.
dieseldave.