Flat spots on wheels?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 99
Likes: 7
From: Bradenton, FL
'12 E550 4M, '14 ML5504M
Flat spots on wheels?
I have the 18" alloy wheels for my 2012 e550 4m; Mercedes part number 212 401 3602 88. This past week my mechanic showed me a flat spot on the wheel between the spokes; he says they aren't bad enough to damage the ride, and it didn't affect the balance, so I shouldn't panic. But I'd like to ask some questions:
In the forum members experience, are these flat spots common?
In the forum members experience, are these wheel tolerant of the presses used by rim repair companies.
Should I consider repairing or replacing the wheel which has the flat spot?
In the forum members experience, are these flat spots common?
In the forum members experience, are these wheel tolerant of the presses used by rim repair companies.
Should I consider repairing or replacing the wheel which has the flat spot?
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 457
Likes: 151
From: Phoenix, AZ
2016 E350 Sport 2WD
Is the flat spot on the mounting surface of the tire? And how big is this flat spot? Can you post a picture of this? If it isn't on the mounting surface and you have no balance problems, I wouldn't worry about it. Of course, if you are one of those that just needs things to be perfect, by all means repair or replace it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 210
From: Sacramento , CA
2010 e550 p2
I have the 18" alloy wheels for my 2012 e550 4m; Mercedes part number 212 401 3602 88. This past week my mechanic showed me a flat spot on the wheel between the spokes; he says they aren't bad enough to damage the ride, and it didn't affect the balance, so I shouldn't panic. But I'd like to ask some questions:
In the forum members experience, are these flat spots common?
In the forum members experience, are these wheel tolerant of the presses used by rim repair companies.
Should I consider repairing or replacing the wheel which has the flat spot?
In the forum members experience, are these flat spots common?
In the forum members experience, are these wheel tolerant of the presses used by rim repair companies.
Should I consider repairing or replacing the wheel which has the flat spot?
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 25
Likes: 5
2010 E550 Coupe
I think the only times I've ever heard flat spots being talked about was when members park their cars for prolonged periods of time, and the tires begin to deform and create a noted indentation on the contact patch with the road/garage surface. It usually evens out after some driving.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 210
From: Sacramento , CA
2010 e550 p2
I think the only times I've ever heard flat spots being talked about was when members park their cars for prolonged periods of time, and the tires begin to deform and create a noted indentation on the contact patch with the road/garage surface. It usually evens out after some driving.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 25
Likes: 5
2010 E550 Coupe
Although in the OP's case, I actually think this may be an actual manufacturing problem on one of the wheels? But if it's balancing out and not losing air pressure, I wouldn't worry about it.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I've had my rims fixed before. The guy says that OE rims are easy to bend back and they are fine afterwards, aftermarket ones are sometimes weaker and don't hold up as well. The flat spot is probably from hitting a pothole or curb. And if you see it on the outside, you should check the inside, probably there too.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Central Coast, CA
2020 X7 xDrive40i, 2016 X3 sDrive28i
If I don't drive my car for 2 to 3 days, I will get slight vibration in front end for the first couple of miles due to flat spotting in the tire.
Flat spotting in the wheel is usually a manufacturing defect or you hit something hard enough to cause the wheel to bend.
It happened to me once when I hit a 2x4 piece of wood on the highway (fell off a truck in front of me and I didn't have enough time to dodge it).
It bent the rim and caused a "flat" looking spot in it and could be felt in the steering wheel as severe vibrations. Tire was not damaged, so I had to have the rim replaced.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 210
From: Sacramento , CA
2010 e550 p2
Flat spot on tires can happen overnight. Depending on the compound and design of the tire.
If I don't drive my car for 2 to 3 days, I will get slight vibration in front end for the first couple of miles due to flat spotting in the tire.
Flat spotting in the wheel is usually a manufacturing defect or you hit something hard enough to cause the wheel to bend.
It happened to me once when I hit a 2x4 piece of wood on the highway (fell off a truck in front of me and I didn't have enough time to dodge it).
It bent the rim and caused a "flat" looking spot in it and could be felt in the steering wheel as severe vibrations. Tire was not damaged, so I had to have the rim replaced.
If I don't drive my car for 2 to 3 days, I will get slight vibration in front end for the first couple of miles due to flat spotting in the tire.
Flat spotting in the wheel is usually a manufacturing defect or you hit something hard enough to cause the wheel to bend.
It happened to me once when I hit a 2x4 piece of wood on the highway (fell off a truck in front of me and I didn't have enough time to dodge it).
It bent the rim and caused a "flat" looking spot in it and could be felt in the steering wheel as severe vibrations. Tire was not damaged, so I had to have the rim replaced.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 126
From: Central Coast, CA
2020 X7 xDrive40i, 2016 X3 sDrive28i
That looks like you hit something, there's some paint scrapped off on the edge of the rim as well.
That looks like it should be fixed or replaced ASAP.
That looks like it should be fixed or replaced ASAP.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,900
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From: Sacramento , CA
2010 e550 p2
(i had bent wheels like that in the past tho)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 126
From: Central Coast, CA
2020 X7 xDrive40i, 2016 X3 sDrive28i
The tire didn't blow out or leak but was getting violent shakes in the front end.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 99
Likes: 7
From: Bradenton, FL
'12 E550 4M, '14 ML5504M
Is the flat spot on the mounting surface of the tire? And how big is this flat spot? Can you post a picture of this? If it isn't on the mounting surface and you have no balance problems, I wouldn't worry about it. Of course, if you are one of those that just needs things to be perfect, by all means repair or replace it.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 99
Likes: 7
From: Bradenton, FL
'12 E550 4M, '14 ML5504M
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 99
Likes: 7
From: Bradenton, FL
'12 E550 4M, '14 ML5504M
It not nearly as bad as that photo, but yes, the same type of thing. Wow, I guess this isn't an uncommon occurrence! Thank you all so much for the replies! I'll look to see about repairing the rim.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 210
From: Sacramento , CA
2010 e550 p2
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 183
Likes: 25
From: San Francisco
W212, R171
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,975
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
Flat spot on tires can happen overnight. Depending on the compound and design of the tire.
If I don't drive my car for 2 to 3 days, I will get slight vibration in front end for the first couple of miles due to flat spotting in the tire.
Flat spotting in the wheel is usually a manufacturing defect or you hit something hard enough to cause the wheel to bend.
It happened to me once when I hit a 2x4 piece of wood on the highway (fell off a truck in front of me and I didn't have enough time to dodge it).
It bent the rim and caused a "flat" looking spot in it and could be felt in the steering wheel as severe vibrations. Tire was not damaged, so I had to have the rim replaced.
If I don't drive my car for 2 to 3 days, I will get slight vibration in front end for the first couple of miles due to flat spotting in the tire.
Flat spotting in the wheel is usually a manufacturing defect or you hit something hard enough to cause the wheel to bend.
It happened to me once when I hit a 2x4 piece of wood on the highway (fell off a truck in front of me and I didn't have enough time to dodge it).
It bent the rim and caused a "flat" looking spot in it and could be felt in the steering wheel as severe vibrations. Tire was not damaged, so I had to have the rim replaced.
In the morning on my way to work I get what could best be described as a beat frequency resonance It seems to improve as I drive more. Did your tire flat spotting make a similar vibration?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 126
From: Central Coast, CA
2020 X7 xDrive40i, 2016 X3 sDrive28i
Sounds about right. If it goes away after a few miles (when tires warm up) then it's most likely flat spotting in the tire.
