Has this happened to you?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 312
Likes: 30
From: Florida, USA
2017 Rolls Royce Wraith, 1999 CLK Cabriolet, 2023 Genesis G90
Has this happened to you?
I was cleaning the GL today and noticed that the wheel bolts on the front wheels have started to rust 
. The bolts on the driver's side are all rusty and the ones on the passenger side are just starting to rust. The truck is only 18 months old and has had only routine tire rotations. It has always slept in the garage and I haven't forded any salt-water streams. How can this be? Has anyone else experienced this embarassment? 
. The bolts on the driver's side are all rusty and the ones on the passenger side are just starting to rust. The truck is only 18 months old and has had only routine tire rotations. It has always slept in the garage and I haven't forded any salt-water streams. How can this be? Has anyone else experienced this embarassment?
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Texas
06 CLS500
they aren't chromed nuts (I assumed you MEANT nuts, not bolts) (thats optional)... these are bare metal, just like old pickup trucks..lol...
I think its $100 for Chrome nuts. Unless you were talking about the bolts, then I do know they will always get rusty.
I think its $100 for Chrome nuts. Unless you were talking about the bolts, then I do know they will always get rusty.
Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 181
Likes: 2
E320 & GL450
I was cleaning the GL today and noticed that the wheel bolts on the front wheels have started to rust . The bolts on the driver's side are all rusty and the ones on the passenger side are just starting to rust. The truck is only 18 months old and has had only routine tire rotations. It has always slept in the garage and I haven't forded any salt-water streams. How can this be? Has anyone else experienced this embarassment?
. The bolts on the driver's side are all rusty and the ones on the passenger side are just starting to rust. The truck is only 18 months old and has had only routine tire rotations. It has always slept in the garage and I haven't forded any salt-water streams. How can this be? Has anyone else experienced this embarassment?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 312
Likes: 30
From: Florida, USA
2017 Rolls Royce Wraith, 1999 CLK Cabriolet, 2023 Genesis G90
Thanks for your responses to my question. I have been using the same car wash for the last 20 years and my (gone) S 430 never had any damage to its wheel bolts. Moreover, my 8 year old CLK Cab has no damage either. I must have a bum set of wheel bolts. Anyhow, it shouldn't have happened. It will be taken care of this week when the truck goes in for service to address the SRS Malfunction I wrote about in another thread. Thanks again to all for your input and best wishes this holiday season.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 242
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
The "plating" Germans used to put on bolts has been found environmentally destructive and has been discontinued.
Lots of guys with late model BMW motorcycles complaining of the same thing.
Lots of guys with late model BMW motorcycles complaining of the same thing.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 312
Likes: 30
From: Florida, USA
2017 Rolls Royce Wraith, 1999 CLK Cabriolet, 2023 Genesis G90
Thanks for the input, lkchris. The ones on my K1200LT seem to be fine, and it's an 05. Maybe they're part of the batch that was still good, or should I say, bad. In any case, the truck goes for service tomorrow and I'll point it out to the service rep.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 242
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
Yeah, I've just read about this, as nothing rusts here in the SW. Plus, mine are 1984s.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 312
Likes: 30
From: Florida, USA
2017 Rolls Royce Wraith, 1999 CLK Cabriolet, 2023 Genesis G90
Just as a follow up to my original post, the wheel bolts were replaced today under warranty, and the driver's side airbag harness was replaced as well.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 800
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
2014 GL 450
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 312
Likes: 30
From: Florida, USA
2017 Rolls Royce Wraith, 1999 CLK Cabriolet, 2023 Genesis G90
Yes, Newbie_2MB. The SRS Malfunction message and red SRS light on the dashboard were caused, I'm told, by a faulty harness that wasn't providing the proper amount of resistance, triggering the fault. From what I've read, this can result in unexpected deployment of the airbag, or non-deployment when needed. Case in point: my cousin's Cadillac STS had its SRS light on and a message on the computer, but it was ignored. While his daughter was stopped at a light, the steering wheel airbag suddenly deployed, burning her face and forearms, not to mention scaring the $#*! out of her. I would highly recommend not ignoring this message on your GL. It could spell disaster.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 800
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
2014 GL 450
Yes, Newbie_2MB. The SRS Malfunction message and red SRS light on the dashboard were caused, I'm told, by a faulty harness that wasn't providing the proper amount of resistance, triggering the fault. From what I've read, this can result in unexpected deployment of the airbag, or non-deployment when needed. Case in point: my cousin's Cadillac STS had its SRS light on and a message on the computer, but it was ignored. While his daughter was stopped at a light, the steering wheel airbag suddenly deployed, burning her face and forearms, not to mention scaring the $#*! out of her. I would highly recommend not ignoring this message on your GL. It could spell disaster.
