99 E320 won't move after replacing wheels
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2009
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1999 E320 Sedan
99 E320 won't move after replacing wheels
I just replaced the stock wheels on my 1999 MB E320 sedan. Unfortunately, the new wheels came with the wrong size lug bolts so I had to use the original bolts to put on the new wheels. While I was able to get the wheel tight and all, the orig bolts took a long time to tighten. I put the front wheels on first and tested the movement and they appeared fine. I then put the rear wheels on. But now, when I try to move the car in forward or reverse it won't move at all. I can't even push the car while it's in neutral. Do you know what could be wrong?
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Seattle WA
99 E320
STOP !
it took a long time to tighten because they are too long. the back end of
the lug has reached too far out the back side. any attempt to drive the
car will result in serious/$$. stop right now.
follow up: according to my notes, match the proper size ball or taper seat
with the proper lug bolt, then select a lug whose shank length protrudes from
the back of the wheel by at leat .5" but no more than .75". if you pop off
your rim now, i'll wager that you'll measure about an inch or more ¿
it took a long time to tighten because they are too long. the back end of
the lug has reached too far out the back side. any attempt to drive the
car will result in serious/$$. stop right now.
follow up: according to my notes, match the proper size ball or taper seat
with the proper lug bolt, then select a lug whose shank length protrudes from
the back of the wheel by at leat .5" but no more than .75". if you pop off
your rim now, i'll wager that you'll measure about an inch or more ¿
Last edited by raymond g-; May 29, 2009 at 11:39 PM.
Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 215
Likes: 6
From: San Diego
2012 CLS63 AMG Performace - Obsidian Black
You stock lugs are too long from the wheel seat; you need shorter ones, and a good supplier is EuroTech- check out their website, or call 'em up- they ship quickly. Don't drive that thing unless you want to shear your brake cable and a bunch of other fairly useful stuff.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,943
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From: Seattle WA
99 E320
now that we have your attention, let me ask, what kind of rims did you buy?
each wheel is likely to have differing thicknesses between the bottom of the
ball seat-to the back of the mating surface of the wheel. this cross section
determines the length of bolt you need.
so answer the above question and we'll go from there, e.g.
- was the new rim designed for MB fitment?
- have you verified that the center bore is 66.5 mm?
- does the new rim use ball seat lug bolt (if so, what size)?
- does the new rim use tapered seat lug bolt?
- what is the ET?
- what tire size does it have?
each wheel is likely to have differing thicknesses between the bottom of the
ball seat-to the back of the mating surface of the wheel. this cross section
determines the length of bolt you need.
so answer the above question and we'll go from there, e.g.
- was the new rim designed for MB fitment?
- have you verified that the center bore is 66.5 mm?
- does the new rim use ball seat lug bolt (if so, what size)?
- does the new rim use tapered seat lug bolt?
- what is the ET?
- what tire size does it have?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8
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1999 E320 Sedan
The wheels are Sport Edition ST3 Bright Silver 17"x8" Offset 44 (All Four), with 5x112 bolt pattern. Tires are Kumho ECSTA ASX: 225/45/17. I don't know the answer to the center bore or other questions sorry. The bolts that came with the wheels were too big in diameter to fit into the holes. Also, they are much shorter than the stock bolts. Maybe I just need to get the correct lug bolts, but how do I know what to get? Thanks for all the quick replies!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
are the similar/same as those on TireRack here?
hmm, you mentioned another important clue which has be concerned.
it is possible that the rims you have are made for 14mm diameter bolt
which is why the supplied bolts were 'too large'. if so, this may also
mean that the ball seat has a 14mm radius.
by substituting your stock bolts, you're short changing the contact
area between bolt and wheel. reference this old post - - > click
so this or that for hybrid bolts to fit
hmm, you mentioned another important clue which has be concerned.
it is possible that the rims you have are made for 14mm diameter bolt
which is why the supplied bolts were 'too large'. if so, this may also
mean that the ball seat has a 14mm radius.
by substituting your stock bolts, you're short changing the contact
area between bolt and wheel. reference this old post - - > click
so this or that for hybrid bolts to fit
Last edited by raymond g-; May 30, 2009 at 12:47 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From: Western Michigan
2003 E320 4Matic Wagon & 1997 E320
Just throw another thing into this because you need to make sure.
Many aftermarket wheels use cone seat lug bolts while the Mercedes OE bolts are ball seat. You really should use not only the correct length, but the right seat and diameter bolt.
I would send an inquiry to the wheel manufacturer (with whatever number you can write down from the wheel) and ask.
You can find the right length pretty easily.
Use your Mercedes wheel and lugbolt. With the wheel off the car, stick the bolt into the hole. Measure the length of the bolt on the back (sticking out). Now you know how much should be sticking out on the back. Then do the same with the aftermarket wheel and put a mark on the bolt at the same sticking out point. Withdraw the bolt and measure the length.
Many aftermarket wheels use cone seat lug bolts while the Mercedes OE bolts are ball seat. You really should use not only the correct length, but the right seat and diameter bolt.
I would send an inquiry to the wheel manufacturer (with whatever number you can write down from the wheel) and ask.
You can find the right length pretty easily.
Use your Mercedes wheel and lugbolt. With the wheel off the car, stick the bolt into the hole. Measure the length of the bolt on the back (sticking out). Now you know how much should be sticking out on the back. Then do the same with the aftermarket wheel and put a mark on the bolt at the same sticking out point. Withdraw the bolt and measure the length.
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From: Western Michigan
2003 E320 4Matic Wagon & 1997 E320
It sounded like he has not moved the car so the parking brake might be fine.
If the wheels have gone around once, then the parking mechanism is damaged.
If the wheels have gone around once, then the parking mechanism is damaged.
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
17's
should be 235/45/17 not 225's your rolling diameter is off.
44 et is way off,stock is a 41.WIDER TIRE MEANS LOWER ET,you should be on 35's Et wise maybe even a 31 et on the front. Measure the lugs and order a set of the proper seat and size from rad/otis usa they will have ones for your app.
The rear lugs have engaged the e brake that is why you can't move it or move out.
ET phone home
Me still in Iowa, working on a forum members collection of Mercedes and having a blast. One of the nicest families I have ever met in my life.
Peace radiates from everything they do or touch.
44 et is way off,stock is a 41.WIDER TIRE MEANS LOWER ET,you should be on 35's Et wise maybe even a 31 et on the front. Measure the lugs and order a set of the proper seat and size from rad/otis usa they will have ones for your app.
The rear lugs have engaged the e brake that is why you can't move it or move out.
ET phone home
Me still in Iowa, working on a forum members collection of Mercedes and having a blast. One of the nicest families I have ever met in my life.
Peace radiates from everything they do or touch.
