Juat a Few Reminders
I was installing my summer wheels and tires this afternoon and thought to share a few reminders here as the season changes. Chime in with your season prep tips please:
Doing rim/tire Change Over for Summer?
- Get the right tools to do the job.
- Inspect pads and suspension pieces when you take off each wheel. Also take a look at the tranny pan to make sure it's not wet with tranny fluid!
- If you like, use a hose to spray off dried salt/sand/dirt that would have accumulated over winter.
- Use some silicone spray grease on the poly bushings on the rear sway bar/anti-roll bar!
- I usually spray all the rubber CV boots also with the silicone grease while the tires are off and everything is nicely exposed.
- Clean wheels inside and out before installing. I also use a small screwdriver to "dig" out small rocks that had taken residence in my tire groves during the winter driving. I get them all out. If it's a nail that's actually sealing things, I leave it alone and have the tire repaired.
- Even the OEM whell/tire package is pretty heavy, so lift carefully. If possible, get a wheel anchor like the sedans have. I'm still looking for one.
- Maybe a good time to rotate tires - front to back for 4WD, I believe (as opposed to the X pattern for others).
- Don't forget to install lug nuts using the star pattern. The recommended torque for my 05 500 is 110ft-lb. I go a tad higher to account for uncertainties in using a torque wrench you have no idea if it's calibrated.
- If you have anything other than OEM rims (a lot of us do), then don't forget to keep a set of lugs in the car. This is because the OEM spare tire works only with the OEM lugs - just in case one of your 28 inch tires goes flat for some reason and you need to use the spare!
- Record mileage at installation - it'll help remember when to do the next rotation.
- Do a test drive at various speeds to make sure all is OK - alignment and balance mostly. You could loose a balance weight without knowing it, so test drive it!
- One other thing I also do at this time is to use some leather cleaner/polish on the seats, especially the driver's side. I apply it on and by the time I'm done with two tires, it's ready to be wiped down. Keeps the leather fresh, and smelling nice too.
Darkman, thats a pretty good list, I would also recomend people give there wheels a good cleaning in the summer I usually clay bar my AMG wheels, compound them, polish, wax and seal... makes em look new again


