Flower wheel lug nut
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 1
From: Wisconsin
2015 ML350 W166 and 2006 SLK 350 R171
Flower wheel lug nut
Hi all,
I know it sounds stupid but I prefer to ask now than waiting to curse with a flat tire at the side of a road.
Mi truck has the flower shaped wheel lug nuts. They are 17 mm. I bought a non marring socket to keep the wheels nice, but it doesn't fit. I when to my service tool kit in the trunk and the socket bar MB gives you has the 17mm engraved but it doesn't has the flower patter same as the spare lug nuts for the spare tire (that's mentioned in the manual). If I try to use it on my wheels nuts it doesn't fit in most of the lug nuts.
This is very strange, obviously i have MB wheels and I hope the lug nuts are original.
Does any have same problem? I would like to know what tool to use or if needed change the lug nuts before I actually need to do it.
Thanks,
I know it sounds stupid but I prefer to ask now than waiting to curse with a flat tire at the side of a road.
Mi truck has the flower shaped wheel lug nuts. They are 17 mm. I bought a non marring socket to keep the wheels nice, but it doesn't fit. I when to my service tool kit in the trunk and the socket bar MB gives you has the 17mm engraved but it doesn't has the flower patter same as the spare lug nuts for the spare tire (that's mentioned in the manual). If I try to use it on my wheels nuts it doesn't fit in most of the lug nuts.
This is very strange, obviously i have MB wheels and I hope the lug nuts are original.
Does any have same problem? I would like to know what tool to use or if needed change the lug nuts before I actually need to do it.
Thanks,
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,530
Likes: 387
Only MBs - the best or nothing
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 487
Likes: 114
From: DFW, TX
Ml350 bluetec
I when to my service tool kit in the trunk and the socket bar MB gives you has the 17mm engraved but it doesn't has the flower patter same as the spare lug nuts for the spare tire (that's mentioned in the manual). If I try to use it on my wheels nuts it doesn't fit in most of the lug nuts.
This is very strange, obviously i have MB wheels and I hope the lug nuts are original.
Thanks,
This is very strange, obviously i have MB wheels and I hope the lug nuts are original.
Thanks,
Trending Topics
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 487
Likes: 114
From: DFW, TX
Ml350 bluetec
They maybe stock on your vehicle. But not stock on the OP's vehicle. His stock socket bar for changing wheels is not the flower pattern. My ML 350 W166 also comes with the standard hex bolt and not the flower pattern.
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
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,530
Likes: 387
Only MBs - the best or nothing
See post #3 on why it no longer fits "most" of OP's lugs. (OP implies the OEM ranch clearly fits some bolts, but not all - second paragraph, last sentence).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,530
Likes: 387
Only MBs - the best or nothing
The answer was provided in post #3 (impact gun often damages these caps). What OP should do is to obtain new OEM lug bolts (preferably without these caps) - there are many sources on the internet, take car to a dealer/wheel shop for current lugs removal and installation of new replacement lugs. To me it is logical and does not need to be stated, but as requested I did anyway.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 1
From: Wisconsin
2015 ML350 W166 and 2006 SLK 350 R171
Thanks all for the comments. I took the truck to the dealer and also brought the socket with me. It fits perfectly on other cars they had at the stealer ship with same flower pattern. They said they never seen this issue, but looks like the chrome cap expands just enough to not fit the socket, and since I live in Wisconsin, I know salt screws everything. Their solution would be to hammer the socket and then change the bolts. I asked for the bolts and big surprise, about $14 dls each, so $280 to change all. That's just crazy. I looked in ebay with the part and I can get same MB bolts for around $5 each. Big difference! I like the looks of the flower pattern but if you know the part number of the normal lug nut I think I'll replace it for those and avoid any problems on the future. This is just poor design.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 323
Likes: 31
From: Ottawa ON Canada
2015 ML350 Bluetec
"Cesar350" I, too, have these useless lug bolts. Yes, impact guns trash them! I purchased some off Ebay after learning what the Stealership was asking! After replacing several of these, I thought I would peel off the chrome flower on one of the damaged ones. Sure enough, just a regular socket head underneath. It was a few years ago, so can't quite remember the size socket, maybe 17mm. Anyway all that to say, in a pinch, pound any socket on that will grab, then remove flower cover, and reuse. Note, they will not have that shiney chrome look, but can be used!
