Anybody with experience changing tires on only one axle on 4Matic?
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From: Charlotte, NC
Had: 1987 300TD, Had: 2004 C230 Sport Sedan, Have: 2014 E350 Sport, Have: 2019 S450
Anybody with experience changing tires on only one axle on 4Matic?
As the thread title states: looking for anyone with experience or MERCEDES documentation regarding installing new tires on only one axle.
My W222 4Matic has worn the outside edges of the front tires down due to excessive enthusiasm on winding roads.
I’ve been through the owners manual, and all of the factory documentation I can find, and the only facts mentioned in the manual are that both tires on same axle should be replaced at the same time, and tire types (max performance, all season, winter) should be the same. There is zero mention of replacing all tires as a set.
Because the rear tires are still around 6/32, my plan is to simply replace the fronts. However, I have seen some comments that AWD cars should always have all 4 tires replaced at the same time.
Im asking: please - no opinions or conjecture.
Thanks in advance to anyone with substantiated information!
My W222 4Matic has worn the outside edges of the front tires down due to excessive enthusiasm on winding roads.
I’ve been through the owners manual, and all of the factory documentation I can find, and the only facts mentioned in the manual are that both tires on same axle should be replaced at the same time, and tire types (max performance, all season, winter) should be the same. There is zero mention of replacing all tires as a set.
Because the rear tires are still around 6/32, my plan is to simply replace the fronts. However, I have seen some comments that AWD cars should always have all 4 tires replaced at the same time.
Im asking: please - no opinions or conjecture.
Thanks in advance to anyone with substantiated information!
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From: Fleriduh
W212 E63S Wagon - GSL580 - E63 - E350 - C300
I have, many times. Never, not ever had an issue. Granted, I am not putting new tires on front with 10% life rears. We all shred our fronts, it is what we do.
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
You'll be absolutely fine just replacing the fronts. In fact, you could replace just one tire if needed if it's the same model as the other one on that axle. I had to do this last summer when one of my tires developed a bulge and leak on the side, making it irreparable. A few MM of tread wear difference won't hurt a darn thing.
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
Stock sizes... Worn on one end and fresh on the other won’t make a fuss for front drive. Now if you were to do staggered wheel sizes of say 18” in front and 20” in the rear.... Aside from being hideous... the car would not like it and would complain to boot.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,415
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From: Charlotte, NC
Had: 1987 300TD, Had: 2004 C230 Sport Sedan, Have: 2014 E350 Sport, Have: 2019 S450
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
On my current Cayenne I replaced one, single, tire. Later I replaced two tires on one axle. Still later I replaced two tires on a single axle.
Replace as few, or as many, tires as you desire to do.
MB is well known for outside edge tire wear. It has nothing to do with 4MATIC or with a “heavy” car. The heavy car claim comes up fairly often on this site.
MB’s poor tire wear across years and models is caused by one thing only: MB’s choice of alignment settings, primarily excessive negative camber.
Replace as few, or as many, tires as you desire to do.
MB is well known for outside edge tire wear. It has nothing to do with 4MATIC or with a “heavy” car. The heavy car claim comes up fairly often on this site.
MB’s poor tire wear across years and models is caused by one thing only: MB’s choice of alignment settings, primarily excessive negative camber.
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S600
There is a chance that the old rear tires are not going to give the traction suitable for new grippy front tires (especially in the winter or rainy conditions).
If you drive cautiously in less than ideal conditions, you will face no problems.
If you drive cautiously in less than ideal conditions, you will face no problems.
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Joined: Apr 2013
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Mercedes-Benz CLK 550
MB is well known for outside edge tire wear. It has nothing to do with 4MATIC or with a “heavy” car. The heavy car claim comes up fairly often on this site.
MB’s poor tire wear across years and models is caused by one thing only: MB’s choice of alignment settings, primarily excessive negative camber.
MB’s poor tire wear across years and models is caused by one thing only: MB’s choice of alignment settings, primarily excessive negative camber.
Now the often quoted reassuring “Full Front & Rear ‘4’ Wheel alignment is only basic Toe “directional” adjustment !
New car industry’s best kept secret. Onus is now back on owners to fund costly, premature tire replacement.
Ongoing Camber and Caster adjustment is essential. Allowing to adjust tire contact angles, spread load more evenly to combat / resolve excess edge tire wear. Which can also lead to higher impact, ruptured side walls and rim damage.
We therefore saw the need to design / manufacture Front and Rear BOLT ON kits - and also so that no special tools or need for control arm removal.
Plus easily accessible single wrench precisely adjustable. Direct on alignment rack UNDER LOAD.
With bonus of replacing the 4 front and rear highest wearing bushes at the same time !
NOTE: Rear suspension - also provide “uprated bushes” for the ‘6’ Multi link arms.
Tauter rear end response - less twist, flex, wheel tramp, loss of traction. Especially when applying power to lane change / overtake.
W222 all models incl. 63/65 AMG (Full kits - Both Sides incl. extraction tools).
FRONT CAMBER & CASTER #503016M $595
(also improving Brake and Steering response).
REAR CAMBER & EXTRA TOE #502626K $480
REAR UPRATED MULTI LINK BUSHINGS #502928K $480
DHL Express Air worldwide $40 one kit $20 each extra.
SEE SPOILER (Re W222 frustrated owners input - and for a good laugh !)
Kevin
Spoiler
AUDI to VOLVO - Experience Resolving OEM Suspension Shortcomings (and costs) Since 1964 !
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From: Fort Worth TX
2020 S560, 2014 SLK55 (Prev. 2016 S65, 2013 SLK350, 2008 CLS63, 2006 E350, 2006 CLS500, 2005 C230K)
Negative camber slightly increases inner wear, Mercedeses have significant negative camber, you are NOT wearing the outside from cornering.
If you are wearing the outside your toe is set to toe out or you have worn bushings (which result in dynamic toe out).
If you are wearing the outside your toe is set to toe out or you have worn bushings (which result in dynamic toe out).
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Mercedes-Benz CLK 550
To resolve either excess inner (or outer) edge tire wear both Front and Rear - THE CAMBER ADJUSTMENT RANGE IS UP TO 2 (EXTRA) DEGREES / POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE !
More than enough to resolve this excess inner / outer edge wear.
Through high cambered roads with excess passenger side wear or wear both sides through altered height or load carrying.
Performance driving / track days dial in “extra” negative Camber to increase traction / reduce understeer, prevent shredding outer edges !
As pointed out kits are designed for fast, easily accessible adjustment / single wrench. Ultimate - direct on alignment rack UNDER LOAD !
AUDI to VOLVO - Experience Resolving OEM Suspension Shortcomings (and costs) Since 1964 !
More than enough to resolve this excess inner / outer edge wear.
Through high cambered roads with excess passenger side wear or wear both sides through altered height or load carrying.
Performance driving / track days dial in “extra” negative Camber to increase traction / reduce understeer, prevent shredding outer edges !
As pointed out kits are designed for fast, easily accessible adjustment / single wrench. Ultimate - direct on alignment rack UNDER LOAD !
AUDI to VOLVO - Experience Resolving OEM Suspension Shortcomings (and costs) Since 1964 !
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Joined: Apr 2016
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From: Bucks County PA not far from the Delaware River North & East of Philly by an hour.
‘68 Pontiac convertible, ‘71 Corvette 4 spd, ‘20 Accord Touring, 06 Duramax crew-c
I recently had The MB dealer do a 4 wheel alignment but they came back with a problem with the right rear wheel. *see readout.
It’s been requested I get another opinion from another shop. I have no idea how bad this is and what it will do overall. The MB dealer has no idea which part(s) need replacing- they said it could be just the adjusting bolt hardware.
Staying on topic - As tread wears down, typically below 1/2 of tread life tires become noisy and traction is diminished.
It’s been requested I get another opinion from another shop. I have no idea how bad this is and what it will do overall. The MB dealer has no idea which part(s) need replacing- they said it could be just the adjusting bolt hardware.
Staying on topic - As tread wears down, typically below 1/2 of tread life tires become noisy and traction is diminished.
Last edited by MrMischief; Jan 23, 2025 at 02:54 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,623
Likes: 1,216
From: Phoenix
222 S-65
I recently had The MB dealer do a 4 wheel alignment but they came back with a problem with the right rear wheel. *see readout.
It’s been requested I get another opinion from another shop. I have no idea how bad this is and what it will do overall. The MB dealer has no idea which part(s) need replacing- they said it could be just the adjusting bolt hardware.
Staying on topic - As tread wears down, typically below 1/2 of tread life tires become noisy and traction is diminished.
It’s been requested I get another opinion from another shop. I have no idea how bad this is and what it will do overall. The MB dealer has no idea which part(s) need replacing- they said it could be just the adjusting bolt hardware.
Staying on topic - As tread wears down, typically below 1/2 of tread life tires become noisy and traction is diminished.
It will track much better once solved.
