Garbage break away lug bolts and caps
07-08-2018, 03:47 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
335XI
Garbage break away lug bolts and caps
I'm a new MB owner. I picked up a low mileage 2013 GL550. Great driving safe vehicle! I made sure the one I purchased has active curve.
I was going over the vehicle this weekend. Spare tire was 40 psi, so I filled it to a max of 60. The brake pads looked good, but I just wanted to verify by pulling a wheel. Hmm... Not hex heads, on the wheel bolts, 'flower' heads. Ok, I went on the internet and got same day Amazon delivery on a 17mm socket. The new flower socket doesn't fit on the cap??? I took a regular 17mm socket and banged it on and then beat it off with a hammer. A chrome cap came off the lug. With a screwdriver and a hammer I was able to extract the cap from the socket. With the shiny cap off of the lug bolt I was able to use the flower 17mm socket from Amazon on the bare wheel bolt to remove the wheel. Brake pads were perfect.
I just ordered real hex bolts (probably from China) from a seller on ebay with a high rating. Thanks to the forum confirming the thread length is 45mm and the bolt is about 70mm long 14mm.1.5. I confirmed it with my digital caliper.
What is the deal with these vehicles? You break down and tow it to a Mercedes dealer? It seems impossible to change a wheel in the field. The truck comes with a 17mm lug hex wrench, not a flower wrench. The flower socket doesn't fit without hammering off the chrome cap anyway. My dad taught me to always make sure you can change a tire when you get a new vehicle, and I'm glad I did with this one!
I was going over the vehicle this weekend. Spare tire was 40 psi, so I filled it to a max of 60. The brake pads looked good, but I just wanted to verify by pulling a wheel. Hmm... Not hex heads, on the wheel bolts, 'flower' heads. Ok, I went on the internet and got same day Amazon delivery on a 17mm socket. The new flower socket doesn't fit on the cap??? I took a regular 17mm socket and banged it on and then beat it off with a hammer. A chrome cap came off the lug. With a screwdriver and a hammer I was able to extract the cap from the socket. With the shiny cap off of the lug bolt I was able to use the flower 17mm socket from Amazon on the bare wheel bolt to remove the wheel. Brake pads were perfect.
I just ordered real hex bolts (probably from China) from a seller on ebay with a high rating. Thanks to the forum confirming the thread length is 45mm and the bolt is about 70mm long 14mm.1.5. I confirmed it with my digital caliper.
What is the deal with these vehicles? You break down and tow it to a Mercedes dealer? It seems impossible to change a wheel in the field. The truck comes with a 17mm lug hex wrench, not a flower wrench. The flower socket doesn't fit without hammering off the chrome cap anyway. My dad taught me to always make sure you can change a tire when you get a new vehicle, and I'm glad I did with this one!
07-08-2018, 05:54 PM
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
What your describing doesn’t sound oem.
Sounds like the the previous owner switched them out for you.
I definitely dont have what you described on any of my mb vehicles.
Sounds like the the previous owner switched them out for you.
I definitely dont have what you described on any of my mb vehicles.
07-11-2018, 12:19 AM
#3
Member
I'm afraid they are OEM. My 2013 GL450 CPO came with these "flower head" (AKA Convex) bolts. You do require a different lug nut socket for these. You can buy them at either Amazon or Home Depot or elsewhere. See links below.
Initially I thought they were chrome caps but they are actual lug nuts.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sunex-1-...2714/301401375
Only the best for your Mercedes (not for you ).
Initially I thought they were chrome caps but they are actual lug nuts.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sunex-1-...2714/301401375
Only the best for your Mercedes (not for you ).
07-11-2018, 10:54 AM
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
I'm afraid they are OEM. My 2013 GL450 CPO came with these "flower head" (AKA Convex) bolts. You do require a different lug nut socket for these. You can buy them at either Amazon or Home Depot or elsewhere. See links below.
Initially I thought they were chrome caps but they are actual lug nuts.
https://www.amazon.com/ATLIN-Protect...+flower+socket
https://www.amazon.com/Sunex-2714-2-...s=sunex+convex
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sunex-1-...2714/301401375
Only the best for your Mercedes (not for you ).
Initially I thought they were chrome caps but they are actual lug nuts.
https://www.amazon.com/ATLIN-Protect...+flower+socket
https://www.amazon.com/Sunex-2714-2-...s=sunex+convex
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sunex-1-...2714/301401375
Only the best for your Mercedes (not for you ).
The chrome cap the op is posting on top of the lug bolts definitely isn't.
The lug bolts must have been rusting and the original owner must have thought to hide them.
07-11-2018, 11:14 AM
#5
Member
Thanks Kombifan - I stand corrected. Mine are also chrome so am wondering if mine are flower head caps on top of flower head bolts. Sears had no issue removing them when they rotated the tires.
07-14-2018, 06:41 PM
#6
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: So Cal
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
GL550 Wife, LS460 & LC Mine
The wheel locks are usually kept in a box at the top of the glove compartment. Mine also had two more regular lugs. Putting the wheel on the car once you take it off is a pain in the a&&. No real lip to place the wheel on while you try to thread on one of the bolts.
