Gl550 Tire Ring Problem
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
2011 Mercedes GL 550
Gl550 Tire Rim Problem
I have a serious problem. My mom just recently got an used 2011 gl550 and the tire rims (the AMG ones) are breaking basically every week, resulting in the tires leaking air. We have Pirelli r21 wheels, and we are desperate. What is the correct tire pressure for these wheels? We cannot afford having to repair these rims every week!
Last edited by Antony15828; Jan 15, 2017 at 06:37 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 291
From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
I have a serious problem. My mom just recently got an used 2011 gl550 and the tire rims (the AMG ones) are breaking basically every week, resulting in the tires leaking air. We have Pirelli r21 wheels, and we are desperate. What is the correct tire pressure for these wheels? We cannot afford having to repair these rims every week!
What exactly do you mean by "breaking" Do you mean the "bead" is breaking? Meaning the tire is coming unseated from the rim? Hitting a lot of potholes? Corrosion on the rim? Since you (you're mom) just recently bought it, I would first take it up with the place you bought it from.
Follow the tire pressure label on the inside of the driver's door jamb.
FYI, you have Pirelli r21 TIRES, not wheels. Wheels are the metal things.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
2011 Mercedes GL 550
The rims are breaking? One would think that after 4 weeks (and four new rims), the problem would be solved?
What exactly do you mean by "breaking" Do you mean the "bead" is breaking? Meaning the tire is coming unseated from the rim? Hitting a lot of potholes? Corrosion on the rim? Since you (you're mom) just recently bought it, I would first take it up with the place you bought it from.
Follow the tire pressure label on the inside of the driver's door jamb.
FYI, you have Pirelli r21 TIRES, not wheels. Wheels are the metal things.
What exactly do you mean by "breaking" Do you mean the "bead" is breaking? Meaning the tire is coming unseated from the rim? Hitting a lot of potholes? Corrosion on the rim? Since you (you're mom) just recently bought it, I would first take it up with the place you bought it from.
Follow the tire pressure label on the inside of the driver's door jamb.
FYI, you have Pirelli r21 TIRES, not wheels. Wheels are the metal things.
I live in a country were the roads are not in the best condition, but they are not that terrible. These wheels are supposed to be strong.. We never had these problems with our previous cars.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,214
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
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
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
2011 Mercedes GL 550
You got a gl too? Sigh... Still a little uncertain but I'll try anything that could work
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 291
From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
Dude.. so sorry haha.. english is not my first language and I was in a hurre then. We are getting what appears to be little cracks on the inside part of the wheels. These appear at least once a month. We had already fixed them at least four times.
I live in a country were the roads are not in the best condition, but they are not that terrible. These wheels are supposed to be strong.. We never had these problems with our previous cars.
I live in a country were the roads are not in the best condition, but they are not that terrible. These wheels are supposed to be strong.. We never had these problems with our previous cars.
Can you post a picture of what's happening? Yes, definitely check the pressure to make sure you have enough in there. As the wheel/rim size (diameter) increases, the aspect ratio of the tire (the size of the sidewall) goes down and you end up with less "margin for error" of your tire pressure. On top of that, the outside edge of the rim is effectively closer to the ground and more likely to strike the inside edge of a pothole, too.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
you got stress fractures. those wheels were beaten to death in their previous lifetime and now (probably in a new climate) the fatigued metal is expanding/ contracting and is cracking.
my feeling is that you will end up ditching those wheels altogether. btw, i wouldn't be surprised if those are some cheap replicas.
also make sure your tires are xl- rated and inflated to 40-42 psi when cold.
my feeling is that you will end up ditching those wheels altogether. btw, i wouldn't be surprised if those are some cheap replicas.
also make sure your tires are xl- rated and inflated to 40-42 psi when cold.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 622
Likes: 202
From: CA
11 ML550, 95 Supra TT, 14 Audi S4
I've cracked two on my 550 and never bent/cracked a wheel in my life prior to the GL. They're not very strong. They crack where the spoke joins the rim which causes a slow leak. The price on a used wheel doubled from wheel #1 to #2, and there weren't many available the last time it happened (couple of years ago).
