tommyr

I went to a local tire dealer to have my summer tires swapper for winter steup. They came and asked me where the key was for my tire locks. Recalling I hadn't purchased wheel locks (I find them to be more trouble than they are worth) I went to look and noticed that all the bolts had the same pattern. It turned out the shop could remove them with a 17mm socket, but it begs the question if there is a special socket or tool to remove them.

steveb9771

I had a similar concern after I had a flat tire. My car has AMG wheels with special lug bolts. I used the call button in my car to request assistance. A Mercedes mechanic came out and changed my tire. I asked about what kind of wrench to use. He used a standard hex socket. The wrench that came with my car is also a standard hex wrench.

Diesel Benz

Could anyone post a photo? I'd like to see how your bolts look like. Odd if they are not standard (mm size) bolts that are supposed to be opened with a standard 17 mm tool as it is here in Europe, but one still can open them with a standard tool

steveb9771

Try enlarging these pix to see the lug bolts. Notice that instead of a true hex shape, each point of the hex is shaped like a circle.

MBELITE

As a MB tech there is a special socket for MB wheels. it's a 17mm impact socket with a plastic protective coating.

ultgar

I think this is the proper socket for the convex bolts of the W221 and Maybachs..





I have 50 of these due in next week with 30 going to a local MB dealership. See http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/p...oducts_id=1425 .

SD

BrabusMan

Uh no....that's not "special". It is simply as you described, a 17MM impact socket with a plastic sleeve. These types of sockets are widely available. The sleeve is to protect the wheel, because as we all know mechanics are always oh-so carefull with everything they touch.

And if I recall correctly ULTGAR photo is correct -- some, not all of the W221 cars I have seen use this socket to remove the lugs. It is also standard on (almost) all MAYBACH vehicles. In a pinch a standard 17MM socket will work, though obviously it is not reccomended.

ultgar

Message deleted

S_G7

I had the exact same thing happen to me earlier this week. I went to Discount Tire to have my wheels balanced and they were asking me where is the key for the lug bolts. I have the 19" AMG Wheels with the factory lugs. They were able to remove the lugs, but it looks like whatever socket they used beat up some of the lugs. I also noticed that the tire iron that came my S550 doesn't seem to fit my lugs very well. I plan on buying a 17 mm impact socket with a thin wall and protective sleeve like the one shown above to be used by myself or any shop that I take my car to. I found the following on Amazon:



Anybody have any advice as to whether these sockets will fit properly without damaging my lugs?

Also, does anybody know the best place online to buy replacement lugs? Thanks.

desired_speeds

use a thin wall 11/16 socket. the standard 17mm fits too tightly and most people dont have it fully on and it strips the head cover of the bolt.

S_G7

Thanks for the input. Are there any particular brands that you recommend? I found this one on Amazon:

desired_speeds

no particular brands recommended. I've used impact sockets with plastic sleeve outside as well as regular thin walled sockets from the local auto parts store and neither have given me issues.

Quadcammer

those lugbolts SUCK ***** like no other. Couldn't get the wheels off my moms CL during a service because some ******* stripped these things.

Like a standard hex bolt just wasn't good enough.

xxGenericSNxx

Anyone have experience with that socket attachment from ultimate garage? Thinking about getting that for these flower bolts.

marthyh

Have just ordered one here in Netherlands, seems indispensable when you do work on your own car on a regular basis..so far I got away using a 17 mm thin wall (since torqued to correct specs will not damage the bolt so quickly,but as we all know very few mechanics and tyre-shops take the effort to do that )

xxGenericSNxx

Did you order the tool from ultimate garage? Another other sources for the flower shaped head?

marthyh

Think I would have, but I am in Europe so shipping & customs would be a waste.

I have done some research on other brands like Hazet,Gedore and Stahlwille(all German brands),
looks like only Facom(French) makes this particular shape convex socket ,

hence the exagerated price, but its still impact-type so that counts for something..

xxGenericSNxx

So can't you order from France directly? I'm thinking to order this tool but just want to hear someone else's experience first!

ultgar

Message deleted.

S_G7

I ordered one earlier and look forward to it arriving.

I tried a regular 17mm thin wall and it barely fit the lugs. I also tried an 11/16 and that fit much better than the 17mm, but there was a little play. The 11/16 is definitely a better choice than a regular 17mm, but I look forward to the exact fit of the NSB.17.

xxGenericSNxx

Is it in stock?

ultgar

I have 350pc in stock at this time. SD

FWhite

I ordered one yesterday and it shipped yesterday. I checked the lug bolt torque on my (new) S350 with a regular 17 mm socket and the original bolts installed in Germany were fine but the wheel locks installed at the VPC were a little low. I think they torqued them to 96 ft lbs which is correct for most other MBs instead of 110. Might want to check yours.

ultgar

A standard 17mm hex socket will work fine removing and installing NEW convex ("flower shape") lug bolts. HOWEVER, once the lugs are hit with an impact gun, the torque and hammer blows during contact will deform the thin polished aluminum cover on the head of the bolt preventing the hex socket (with its tighter tolerances) from fitting the bolt. The mechanics would then have to opt for the looser fitting convex socket to remove the damaged bolt.

xxGenericSNxx

Ordered today and already shipped today. Thank you! I'm tired of installers stripping my screws!