Tips and tricks for installing the wheels?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,762
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From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
Tips and tricks for installing the wheels?
I'm no weakling, and honestly, putting the wheels on is a giant pain in the rear.
I try to get them lined up to the hub, and then rotated to the right position so I can screw in the lug bolt. If Mercedes used lug nuts like the rest of the civilized world, this would be nowhere near as difficult.
Usually it takes several minutes of sweating and cursing to finally get the wheel lined up in the right spot and one of the lug bolts in. The wheels and tires are heavy, dammit.
Any tips or tricks to make reinstalling the wheels easier?
I try to get them lined up to the hub, and then rotated to the right position so I can screw in the lug bolt. If Mercedes used lug nuts like the rest of the civilized world, this would be nowhere near as difficult.
Usually it takes several minutes of sweating and cursing to finally get the wheel lined up in the right spot and one of the lug bolts in. The wheels and tires are heavy, dammit.
Any tips or tricks to make reinstalling the wheels easier?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
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From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
They make guide bolts that you thread into the lug holes first, then slide the wheel on. Bolt up another lug, then remove the guide. We make them from old tie rod ends at work but you can buy them for cheap also.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,762
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From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
Ah! I heard about this once before. Quite mad at myself for forgetting. Dammit - I even remember seeing the guide bolt in the spare tire kit. 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2PCS-Mercede...H/131502083283
The GL450 lug bolts are M14, right?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2PCS-Mercede...H/131502083283
The GL450 lug bolts are M14, right?
Last edited by eric_in_sd; Jun 27, 2015 at 02:04 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
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From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
Mercedes isn't the only company that used wheel bolts instead of studs. But, yes, it's a bit of a pain at times. I haven't pulled a wheel off yet on the Merc as I haven't had it very long, but for my BMW I have found lightly propping my foot against the BOTTOM of the tire (to keep it from swinging outwards), makes the job very easy. Put tire on hub, rotate to align holes, brace bottom of tire (brace, not push) and insert a bolt at the top to keep it in place/hang it. Don't have to insert the bolt all the way. I'm aware of the guide bolts, but so far I've been too lazy to buy one... 
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
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x164
I agree bolts are a pain in the but but here in Europe theres quite a few cars that use them.
I find lining one hole up with a long screw driver then whizzing in a bolt in another hole works quite well. On wheels of 19-22 inches it's some bloody weight and you feel it after doing 4.
I keep meaning to challenge myself against the clock to see if I get any better when changing a full set over. Never gonna get to F1's 2.5 seconds but fun to see how quick you can do it in
I find lining one hole up with a long screw driver then whizzing in a bolt in another hole works quite well. On wheels of 19-22 inches it's some bloody weight and you feel it after doing 4.
I keep meaning to challenge myself against the clock to see if I get any better when changing a full set over. Never gonna get to F1's 2.5 seconds but fun to see how quick you can do it in
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 630
From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
for my BMW I have found lightly propping my foot against the BOTTOM of the tire (to keep it from swinging outwards), makes the job very easy. Put tire on hub, rotate to align holes, brace bottom of tire (brace, not push) and insert a bolt at the top to keep it in place/hang it. Don't have to insert the bolt all the way. I'm aware of the guide bolts, but so far I've been too lazy to buy one...
Problem is, on the GL, the hub is only maybe 1/8 inch proud of the rest. So there is almost nothing to hang the wheel on. I went ahead and ordered a pair of guide bolts and look forward to trying them out.
LOL, go for it. I'll do the timing. While I drink my beer.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
I'm no weakling, and honestly, putting the wheels on is a giant pain in the rear.
I try to get them lined up to the hub, and then rotated to the right position so I can screw in the lug bolt. If Mercedes used lug nuts like the rest of the civilized world, this would be nowhere near as difficult.
Usually it takes several minutes of sweating and cursing to finally get the wheel lined up in the right spot and one of the lug bolts in. The wheels and tires are heavy, dammit.
Any tips or tricks to make reinstalling the wheels easier?
I try to get them lined up to the hub, and then rotated to the right position so I can screw in the lug bolt. If Mercedes used lug nuts like the rest of the civilized world, this would be nowhere near as difficult.
Usually it takes several minutes of sweating and cursing to finally get the wheel lined up in the right spot and one of the lug bolts in. The wheels and tires are heavy, dammit.
Any tips or tricks to make reinstalling the wheels easier?
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,762
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From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
Yeah, it seems like it ought to work. I don't know - maybe I'm just retarded. Or i need to lift weights more. Maybe the guide bolts will do the trick for me.
Thanks for the comments, guys.
Thanks for the comments, guys.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
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From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
Just kidding. I think it's just one of those things that you have to do a few times to figure it out -- and then it's super easy. But, the guide bolts are a nice solution, too.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
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From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
