Time to rotate?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 868
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From: Orlando, FL
C240
Time to rotate?
Like many people in the other thread, my outer edge of the fronts on my '02 C240 are bald. I'm rotating the rears to the fronts and visa-versa. Are there any things I need to watch out for? I don't think the wheels are staggered. All fours are the same tires.
Bonus question for ya'll
- I'm very afraid of my front emblem on my hood getting damaged. I'm forced to park my car outside and I'm afraid that a passerby may twist it off or this may happen: Skip on over to 1:34 to see what I mean. (Video isn't explicit, it's on YouTube for the love of god, but your mother/wife may not favor it. Heads up.)
I've searched for both and I thought I'd squeeze two questions into one thread.
Thank you for your time!
Bonus question for ya'll
- I'm very afraid of my front emblem on my hood getting damaged. I'm forced to park my car outside and I'm afraid that a passerby may twist it off or this may happen: Skip on over to 1:34 to see what I mean. (Video isn't explicit, it's on YouTube for the love of god, but your mother/wife may not favor it. Heads up.)I've searched for both and I thought I'd squeeze two questions into one thread.
Thank you for your time!
Last edited by laneshift; Sep 7, 2009 at 01:51 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
You should be able to rotate and thus slow down the outer edge wear on your tires. I thought your car came with new tires as part of your purchase? If it is eating them quickly you probably have an issue. Search the forum for "castor bushings" and check your's for leaks.
Also, while there is a chance of something happening to the hood ornament, I've not had this happen to me or anyone I know that drive Benz cars. Don't be paranoid.
Also, while there is a chance of something happening to the hood ornament, I've not had this happen to me or anyone I know that drive Benz cars. Don't be paranoid.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Orlando, FL
C240
Thank you. Will do. The tires weren't brand spankin' new with the fuzz intact but are still "new" in my book. 85-90 percent tread left in the middle. I guess it's also my fault. You lose the chains when you find out that you can take a turn way faster in a small c-class than in an rx.
Any advice on amount of tightening to do on the nuts?
Any advice on amount of tightening to do on the nuts?
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Regards rotating tyres. The W203 is very sensitive to tyre noise that sounds like a shot wheel bearing. If you have Conti tyres you can forget keeping them quiet - but if not.
Do not run directional tyres. Do not run tyres with big blocks in the tread, Do run tyres like Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 or Pilot Sport 2 with solid radial bands of tread with a few sipes & staggered shoulder blocks to break harmonics.
Rotate opposite corner to corner every 8000 miles max to change the direction of rotation of tyres to stop them from feathering & cupping & creating air pumping noise. You should never be able to run your hand over the tread of the tyre counter rotation & feel any lip feathering on the tread.
As Matt says - keep your castor bushes in good condition.
Do not run directional tyres. Do not run tyres with big blocks in the tread, Do run tyres like Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 or Pilot Sport 2 with solid radial bands of tread with a few sipes & staggered shoulder blocks to break harmonics.
Rotate opposite corner to corner every 8000 miles max to change the direction of rotation of tyres to stop them from feathering & cupping & creating air pumping noise. You should never be able to run your hand over the tread of the tyre counter rotation & feel any lip feathering on the tread.
As Matt says - keep your castor bushes in good condition.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 868
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From: Orlando, FL
C240
The current tires are directional but they aren't as noisy as my mother's ML? I will remember this the next time I pick up some new shoes. Hopefully along with some 18's, and if I get lucky, some new springs! 
Also, is it safe to use the wrench provided with the car under the trunk matt? How do I measure 80lbs/ft?
Excuse my newbiness- thank you.
I will remember this the next time I pick up some new shoes. Hopefully along with some 18's, and if I get lucky, some new springs! Also, is it safe to use the wrench provided with the car under the trunk matt? How do I measure 80lbs/ft?
Excuse my newbiness- thank you.
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 868
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From: Orlando, FL
C240
Ah, that's a great point! I will pick one up tomorrow or so. All the hardware stores were closed and Walmart stuff is crap.
Another question. Since I can only put the jack in the front corner or the rear corner of either side of the car, should I rotate wheels in this manner? - Take off front wheel, put spare to support the car, replace jack at the rear corner, remove wheel, replace with front wheel. Then come back and put the jack in the front corner and take off the spare and put on the rear wheel.
Is that the simplest method? I'd hate to call it quits to hand in my car to a shop to rotate tires, but for $6.50, it seems to be worth the time.
Another question. Since I can only put the jack in the front corner or the rear corner of either side of the car, should I rotate wheels in this manner? - Take off front wheel, put spare to support the car, replace jack at the rear corner, remove wheel, replace with front wheel. Then come back and put the jack in the front corner and take off the spare and put on the rear wheel.
Is that the simplest method? I'd hate to call it quits to hand in my car to a shop to rotate tires, but for $6.50, it seems to be worth the time.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
As Glyn mentioned, you should rotate from LR corner to RF corner to change the direction of the tire and reduce the wear. Maybe I don't understand your question, but it seems that you're saying rotate LR to LF? I'd just let a shop do it, it's not that expensive.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Looking at your sig. Are you sure that those tyres can only rotate in one direction? Do they have a rotation arrow on the sidewall or does it just say Outside on the tyre? If it just says Outside you can cross rotate. Otherwise you are stuck with a back front swap on each side.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
BTW - a good torque wrench will way outlast your car. They can be recalibrated. Just don't drop the thing - That is what usually messes with their calibration.
