Need help! new wheel grinding againts airmatic suspension!

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Jun 19, 2015 | 08:41 PM
  #1  
Hi guys,

Need some help regarding wheel fitment.

i just fitted a 20x9 +45 245/35/20 on the front of the CLS but there is an issue.

first the bottom of the airspring is rubbing againts the top of the tire.

secondly, the inner wheel is grinding againts the side of the strut.

what can i do to solve this issue?

The rear is 20x10.5 +42 275/30/20 and seems like there isnt any sound coming from there.

I have attach a couple of photos.



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Jun 20, 2015 | 10:55 AM
  #2  
Spacers. They will extend the wheel outwards to clear the space.
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Jun 20, 2015 | 11:45 AM
  #3  
Quote: Spacers. They will extend the wheel outwards to clear the space.
any idea how many mm i should get?
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Jun 20, 2015 | 06:04 PM
  #4  
Quote: any idea how many mm i should get?
Minimum 15mm spacers for et30 (make sure to get "front" only spacers - "hat" shape, like H&R part number 30556659) with at least 15mm longer bolts than currently. I'm running 20x9 et20 with 245/35-20 to be on a safe side - no rubbing at all in sport setting.
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Jun 21, 2015 | 03:09 AM
  #5  
Quote: Minimum 15mm spacers for et30 (make sure to get "front" only spacers - "hat" shape, like H&R part number 30556659) with at least 15mm longer bolts than currently. I'm running 20x9 et20 with 245/35-20 to be on a safe side - no rubbing at all in sport setting.
unfortunately I don't have any access to the spacers that has the hat shape design such as H&R's DRA. In Indonesia, I have only access to the regular hubcentric spacers like the regular H8R's DR spacers.

Any particular reason to for the "hat" shape? Will the regular hubcentric spacer not fit or suitable for the front of the caR?
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Jun 21, 2015 | 07:53 AM
  #6  
Quote: unfortunately I don't have any access to the spacers that has the hat shape design such as H&R's DRA. In Indonesia, I have only access to the regular hubcentric spacers like the regular H8R's DR spacers.

Any particular reason to for the "hat" shape? Will the regular hubcentric spacer not fit or suitable for the front of the caR?
H&R's 30556659 is a "front" DR spacer (not DRA - these are available only in 20mm or 25mm for front) for the front only for cars such as CLS due to dust cap. H&R's 3055665 is a "regular" DR spacer that will fit only rear of CLS. Just take a front and a rear wheel off and look at the hub - you'll see why immediately.

This is a US eBay listing of hat 15mm spacers for much less than H&R's :

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HUBCENTRIC-15MM-FRONT-WHEEL-SPACER-ADAPTERS-MERCEDES-BENZ-5X112-CB-66-5MM-/130841036237?hash=item1e76bbc5cd
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Jun 21, 2015 | 11:45 AM
  #7  
Quote: H&R's 30556659 is a "front" DR spacer (not DRA - these are available only in 20mm or 25mm for front) for the front only for cars such as CLS due to dust cap. H&R's 3055665 is a "regular" DR spacer that will fit only rear of CLS. Just take a front and a rear wheel off and look at the hub - you'll see why immediately.

This is a US eBay listing of hat 15mm spacers for much less than H&R's :

Hubcentric 15mm Front Wheel Spacer Adapters Mercedes Benz 5x112 CB 66 5mm | eBay
Thanks for the clarification. From the photo I see, it seems like a regular hub centric spacer design. Is there any particular detail to why this particular model differs from the rear spacer? I know the front has the dust caps, but is the specification for the front spacer very different? Unfortunately for me, I have already ordered the spacers but didn't say that it was for the front or rear.
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Jun 21, 2015 | 04:35 PM
  #8  
Quote: Thanks for the clarification. From the photo I see, it seems like a regular hub centric spacer design. Is there any particular detail to why this particular model differs from the rear spacer? I know the front has the dust caps, but is the specification for the front spacer very different? Unfortunately for me, I have already ordered the spacers but didn't say that it was for the front or rear.
1. While pictures in the listing look like rear spacers, they are in fact front - I bought these myself that's how I know its the correct part, they'll send front spacers (pictures are just a generic picture - terrible marketing).

2. Its not for this specific model (CLS). Its a "Mercedes" thing - most MB cars (other than SUVs) at least for US market (I assume worldwide too) use front dust caps (the only exception than comes to mind in the current lineup is R231 SL).
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Jun 21, 2015 | 09:43 PM
  #9  
Quote: 1. While pictures in the listing look like rear spacers, they are in fact front - I bought these myself that's how I know its the correct part, they'll send front spacers (pictures are just a generic picture - terrible marketing).
Do you know if they are any different spec wise? Maybe larger center bore in order to fit through the dust cap? Or maybe the design on the spacer's lip is different?

Anyone have ever taken off the dust caps yet?

Edit:

Is this the design of spacer you are talking about?
Reply 0
Jun 22, 2015 | 08:31 AM
  #10  
Quote: Is this the design of spacer you are talking about?
Yes.
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Jun 22, 2015 | 09:07 AM
  #11  
Quote: Yes.
Finally I understand what you have been telling me! Thank u so much for pointing me to the right direction.

Have you or anyone else with the C218/W218 installed them before? Is it a direct plug and play or you have to remove the current OEM grease/dust cap.
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Jun 22, 2015 | 09:27 AM
  #12  
Quote: Finally I understand what you have been telling me! Thank u so much for pointing me to the right direction.

Have you or anyone else with the C218/W218 installed them before? Is it a direct plug and play or you have to remove the current OEM grease/dust cap.
I have them on my CLS now. Have/had them on front of many MBs (current and prior) as well. That's the point in these spacers - direct "plug and play" for the front just as "standard" spacers are for the rear. Do not remove caps! These "front" spacers go over them.
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Jun 22, 2015 | 10:05 AM
  #13  
Quote: I have them on my CLS now. Have/had them on front of many MBs (current and prior) as well. That's the point in these spacers - direct "plug and play" for the front just as "standard" spacers are for the rear. Do not remove caps! These "front" spacers go over them.
Very informative. Anyway, PM sent.
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Jun 22, 2015 | 10:21 AM
  #14  
http://www.hrsprings.com/application...esults/25/TRAK
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Jul 15, 2015 | 12:19 AM
  #15  
Just an update.

Finally installed the H&R spacers.

Here is how it should look like for anyone is curious about the front only spacer.





Should I be worried about that little gap? The mechanic who installs it says that it is as close to the hub as possible.

I did a test drive after the install with speeds up to 160km/h and no vibrations or any weird noises though.
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Jul 15, 2015 | 08:58 AM
  #16  
These are 20mm H&R's DRA spacers.
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Jul 15, 2015 | 09:36 AM
  #17  
Quote: These are 20mm H&R's DRA spacers.
Yep correct. These are the DRA spacer. Glad I went with 20mm. Could have went with 25mm or even 30mm and will have no problem with fitment.

Do you think I should be worried about the little gap?
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Jul 15, 2015 | 01:08 PM
  #18  
Quote: Yep correct. These are the DRA spacer. Glad I went with 20mm. Could have went with 25mm or even 30mm and will have no problem with fitment.

Do you think I should be worried about the little gap?
"Front" 25mm and 30mm are not available.

There should be almost no gap. Anything much wider than a finger nail indicates that spacer is not "seating" on a hub correctly. The gap in your pictures looks too wide and IMO is a problem that should be addressed ASAP. Do you feel any vibration in the steering wheel?
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Jul 15, 2015 | 09:52 PM
  #19  
Quote: "Front" 25mm and 30mm are not available.

There should be almost no gap. Anything much wider than a finger nail indicates that spacer is not "seating" on a hub correctly. The gap in your pictures looks too wide and IMO is a problem that should be addressed ASAP. Do you feel any vibration in the steering wheel?
Hmm now you got me worried.

However, I test drove on the highway to speeds up to 160 km/h and did not notice any vibration or any noise. Should I be worried and get them reinstalled?
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