Wheel spacer question
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Joined: Oct 2016
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2012 E350 4Matic
Wheel spacer question
Quick question regarding wheel spacers with OEM wheels, but a little different from what's usually asked. Instead of using spacers to push the factory wheels out for a flush fit, I discovered I need a set up front so that my new winter wheels clear the calipers, they rub ever so slightly.
The wheels I'm using are from a W205, part number A2054012802. They're 18x7.5 with an offset of 44. My stock wheels are 18x8.5 with an offset of 48. I thought I'd be fine with the higher offset, but with the sport package brakes I have slight rubbing. The wheels spin freely, but I see where they just graze the caliper. I'm certainly not installing them until I get proper spacers. I didn't do a test fit on the back, but I don't THINK I need spacers? Although I might to have the same track width front/back.
From what I've been reading here, it seems like I can't go any smaller than 20mm (ie the H&R 4055665)? That seems a bit overkill for this application, where I almost have enough clearance. Are there any other smaller spacers out there that are from a reputable manufacturer (no ebay or amazon stuff) that fit the front of a 4Matic? Or since I dropped an inch in width, should I run that wide a spacer anyways?
I got this nearly new winter setup for a very good price and like the idea of using a narrower 225 tire in the snow, so I'd really like to use them.
The wheels I'm using are from a W205, part number A2054012802. They're 18x7.5 with an offset of 44. My stock wheels are 18x8.5 with an offset of 48. I thought I'd be fine with the higher offset, but with the sport package brakes I have slight rubbing. The wheels spin freely, but I see where they just graze the caliper. I'm certainly not installing them until I get proper spacers. I didn't do a test fit on the back, but I don't THINK I need spacers? Although I might to have the same track width front/back.
From what I've been reading here, it seems like I can't go any smaller than 20mm (ie the H&R 4055665)? That seems a bit overkill for this application, where I almost have enough clearance. Are there any other smaller spacers out there that are from a reputable manufacturer (no ebay or amazon stuff) that fit the front of a 4Matic? Or since I dropped an inch in width, should I run that wide a spacer anyways?
I got this nearly new winter setup for a very good price and like the idea of using a narrower 225 tire in the snow, so I'd really like to use them.
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From: Jakarta-Indonesia
2014 - W212.065 - E400 ( M276.820, 3 liter Turbo) RWD not Hybrid
So the W205 wheel, its spoke/fingers are the one rubbing you caliper body yah ?
Same case as my BBS ET47.
For front you can go 5mm, from Eibach.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ket-wheel.html
But your wheel bolts need to be longer by 5mm too, 10mm also OK.
Same case as my BBS ET47.
For front you can go 5mm, from Eibach.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ket-wheel.html
But your wheel bolts need to be longer by 5mm too, 10mm also OK.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2016
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2012 E350 4Matic
That's right, it's the spokes and just barely. I test fitted a set of cheap universal 3mm spacers and that's enough to clear the caliper, though only by 1mm or a credit card thickness. I don't think that's enough clearance, I'm going to try a 5mm though I'm not sure if there will be enough hub left protruding to center the wheel, stacking the two 3mm spacers was kind of iffy. If I can still center the wheel with the cheap 5mm spacers I'll go ahead and order a set of H&R, I don't trust the stamped pot metal ones from Amazon to actually drive on. They're so flimsy I feel like they're going to compress and cause the wheel bolts to loosen off.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 6,598
Likes: 6,543
From: Jakarta-Indonesia
2014 - W212.065 - E400 ( M276.820, 3 liter Turbo) RWD not Hybrid
That's right, it's the spokes and just barely. I test fitted a set of cheap universal 3mm spacers and that's enough to clear the caliper, though only by 1mm or a credit card thickness. I don't think that's enough clearance, I'm going to try a 5mm though I'm not sure if there will be enough hub left protruding to center the wheel, stacking the two 3mm spacers was kind of iffy. If I can still center the wheel with the cheap 5mm spacers I'll go ahead and order a set of H&R, I don't trust the stamped pot metal ones from Amazon to actually drive on. They're so flimsy I feel like they're going to compress and cause the wheel bolts to loosen off.
For REAR, 5mm spacer is too much. So I do not use on rear wheels. The protrusion from wheel hub is shorter at REAR.
Stick to branded spacer like the one I use, or similar.
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From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
remember wheels will flex and bend while under load to some degree.
everything loaded up has some sort of deflection. so with you 3mm and say you hit a pothole the wheel will flex (DEFORM) and might move that entire 3mm and hit caliper which would suck while driving.
I would love to see FEA modeling of wheels/tire hitting potholes, expansion joints and the summer tie speed bumps we get around here due to road expansion and no where to go.
Check how much clearance stock wheels had and try to duplicate that clearance.
Or be within say 90% of it.
everything loaded up has some sort of deflection. so with you 3mm and say you hit a pothole the wheel will flex (DEFORM) and might move that entire 3mm and hit caliper which would suck while driving.
I would love to see FEA modeling of wheels/tire hitting potholes, expansion joints and the summer tie speed bumps we get around here due to road expansion and no where to go.
Check how much clearance stock wheels had and try to duplicate that clearance.
Or be within say 90% of it.
