SL/R129: new wheels, new problem
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Manchester, UK
500 SL R129, Blue - 1991. Mini Cooper S, Works Kit Silver - 2007. Mitsubishi FTO, Silver - 1996.
new wheels, new problem
I got my new rims 18" x 8.5 and 9.5 and put them on my SL and they look greeeeat! Started the car up, moved 6 inches and heard this awful knock/cracking sound. Stopped. Got out.
As the sound seemed to come from the rear left, I took the wheel off and
car slips off jack and crunches to the floor! Got my hydraulic jack out and put the wheel back on. 
. Made sure no metal was touching metal anywhere.... Started her up, and the emergency roll over bar flips up... 
. Stopped.
I notice that the rear left is a few inches higher than the other side... I wondered if having jacked the car had done something to the suspension, so I moved the car backwards and forwards a few inches a few times. This has sorted the level out . But as I rolled the car back into the garage there was still this awful knoocking sound, as though the alloys were unhappy... strangely worse going backwards than forwards....?
Does anyone have any idea what has happened?
And does anyone know how to get the roll over bar back down?
I love this car. I just completely rebuilt the engine, and had a brand new soft top fitted... it costing me a fortune but I will not be beaten....! I am almost crazed by it, possessed even......... :v
Help.
As the sound seemed to come from the rear left, I took the wheel off and
car slips off jack and crunches to the floor! Got my hydraulic jack out and put the wheel back on. . Made sure no metal was touching metal anywhere.... Started her up, and the emergency roll over bar flips up... . Stopped. I notice that the rear left is a few inches higher than the other side... I wondered if having jacked the car had done something to the suspension, so I moved the car backwards and forwards a few inches a few times. This has sorted the level out
. But as I rolled the car back into the garage there was still this awful knoocking sound, as though the alloys were unhappy... strangely worse going backwards than forwards....? Does anyone have any idea what has happened?
And does anyone know how to get the roll over bar back down?
I love this car. I just completely rebuilt the engine, and had a brand new soft top fitted... it costing me a fortune but I will not be beaten....! I am almost crazed by it, possessed even......... :v
Help.
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I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WHEN I BOUGHT A NON STANDARD SET OF ALLOYS FOR ONE OF MY SLs. THE WHEEL OFFSET WAS TOTALLY WRONG WHICH MEANT THE BOLTS WERE WAY TOO LONG. YOU GOT TWO CHOICES, EITHER CHOP THE WHEEL BOLTS DOWN TO THE CORRECT SIZE WHICH IS WHAT I DID, BUT I SERIOUSLY DO NOT RECOMMEND IT YOU WILL BE COMPROMISING SAFETY. I ONLY DID IT SO I COULD GET THE CAR BACK DOWN ON FOUR WHEELS SO I COULD MOVE IT AROUND THE HOUSE, AND FOR LOCAL TRIPS, BUT THE HANDLING WAS AWFUL . AND THE SECOND OPTION IS GET THE RIGHT WHEELS FOR THE CAR. I'M NOT A MECHANIC, I'M USELESS WITH MECHANICAL ASPECTS OF CARS. BUT I'M JUST TALKING FROM EXPERIENCE CAUSE I HAVE HAD MANY CARS SO I LEARNT A THING OR TWO ON THE WAY.
HOPE THIS HELPS.
HOPE THIS HELPS.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Manchester, UK
500 SL R129, Blue - 1991. Mini Cooper S, Works Kit Silver - 2007. Mitsubishi FTO, Silver - 1996.
Thank you Redmongoose that sorted my roll over bar out straightaway! 
I checked the level again this morning and it has completely flattened out now thank the stars...
Ricky, my wheels are X2 8X18" fronts + X2 9X18" rears both with polished lip and offset ET20-25 (I was sure to ask for the correct offset) and are unbranded.
Bananna: I checked the bolts before I put the wheels on and they were shorter than the originals to take into account the wheel recess, but it's possible they are popping out of the back so I'll try putting the original wheels back on to see if the problem is still there. Do you think the offset would cause the loud knocking sound though?
Any other ideas anyone?
Thanks again
Chris
I checked the level again this morning and it has completely flattened out now thank the stars...
Ricky, my wheels are X2 8X18" fronts + X2 9X18" rears both with polished lip and offset ET20-25 (I was sure to ask for the correct offset) and are unbranded.
Bananna: I checked the bolts before I put the wheels on and they were shorter than the originals to take into account the wheel recess, but it's possible they are popping out of the back so I'll try putting the original wheels back on to see if the problem is still there. Do you think the offset would cause the loud knocking sound though?
Any other ideas anyone?
Thanks again
Chris
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Thread Starter
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From: Manchester, UK
500 SL R129, Blue - 1991. Mini Cooper S, Works Kit Silver - 2007. Mitsubishi FTO, Silver - 1996.
I thought about buying some Aeros from TireTrack a while ago but the shipping to the UK cancelled out any saving I might have made. I'm interested though... what do you have... or maybe I could buy some bolts from you in the interests of Anglo/American trade etc...? Actually, I also have a Mini Cooper S that I was thinking of spicing up a bit so let me know Ricky. Thanks again.
Chris
Chris
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I have, um, basically everything, and if I don't get it, i can direct you to someone who can.
What kind of style are you looking for? If you want to keep that style, you can check the TSW Wheels thread for similair styles.
What kind of style are you looking for? If you want to keep that style, you can check the TSW Wheels thread for similair styles.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 265
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From: Manchester, UK
500 SL R129, Blue - 1991. Mini Cooper S, Works Kit Silver - 2007. Mitsubishi FTO, Silver - 1996.
I tried to buy Aeros and would prefer those over any other, buy my guy over here couldn't get the spec I wanted which was x2 @ 8 and x2 @10... apparently the rears were the problem. I'm running out of sensible cash for the Merc but if you have some contacts for er... economically priced Aero style then I would be interested in seeing where it went...
cheers
Chris
cheers
Chris
Thread Starter
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From: Manchester, UK
500 SL R129, Blue - 1991. Mini Cooper S, Works Kit Silver - 2007. Mitsubishi FTO, Silver - 1996.
ahhhh..... yep, that's one of them... 
I just love these, I wish I had them... the ones I have look smart enough but these are the business and look fantastic on the r129... the best one for the car in my opinion.
Ricky, I have to go out for dinner right now. I'll have to pick this up 2morrow. Thank you so much for your advice, I'll check back with you.
Chris
I just love these, I wish I had them... the ones I have look smart enough but these are the business and look fantastic on the r129... the best one for the car in my opinion.Ricky, I have to go out for dinner right now. I'll have to pick this up 2morrow. Thank you so much for your advice, I'll check back with you.
Chris
Thread Starter
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From: Manchester, UK
500 SL R129, Blue - 1991. Mini Cooper S, Works Kit Silver - 2007. Mitsubishi FTO, Silver - 1996.
Hi Ricky, Bannana
I just put my old wheels back on, but before that measured the length from the shoulder of the bolts and sure enough the new bolts are 10mm too long. Thank you for the clues.
I'm not sure where to get the correct size bolts, I called the guy who supplied them but he hasn't returned my call yet. Is there anyone in the UK that would be interested in selling me 20 bolts that are the right size? Actually I need 4 locking bolts (nuts) out of that...
I really wish I could justify getting original AMG's but for something that is inevitably going to get kerbed and knocked about I just couldn't justify more than double the price. Don't get me wrong I'm not *anti-label* I like my Gucci and Armani, but alloys are going to get knocked and banged no matter how hard you try to look after them... er well, in Manchester anyway.
I was wondering though... have I caused any damage to the internal workings of the disks by running the car for a few yards, the bolt ends definitely had a little chunk taken out of them....
I just put my old wheels back on, but before that measured the length from the shoulder of the bolts and sure enough the new bolts are 10mm too long. Thank you for the clues.
I'm not sure where to get the correct size bolts, I called the guy who supplied them but he hasn't returned my call yet. Is there anyone in the UK that would be interested in selling me 20 bolts that are the right size? Actually I need 4 locking bolts (nuts) out of that...
I really wish I could justify getting original AMG's but for something that is inevitably going to get kerbed and knocked about I just couldn't justify more than double the price. Don't get me wrong I'm not *anti-label* I like my Gucci and Armani, but alloys are going to get knocked and banged no matter how hard you try to look after them... er well, in Manchester anyway.
I was wondering though... have I caused any damage to the internal workings of the disks by running the car for a few yards, the bolt ends definitely had a little chunk taken out of them....
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Dallas, TX USA
2006 SL500
I got a set of wheels like yours from the Tire Rack ( www.tirerack.com ) earlier this year. The mounting hardware and MB center caps were included.
You may be able to buy the mounting hardware from them. Luke over there is very knowledgable and helpful.
You may be able to buy the mounting hardware from them. Luke over there is very knowledgable and helpful.
Last edited by sl500_dallas; Aug 22, 2005 at 05:16 PM.
Out Of Control!!
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Take SL500_Dallas's advice, give Luke a call, tell him you're a member of mbworld as well.
He should really take care of you.
(The only thing Dallas, is those 19" AMG's are a grand and then some.. per rim!)
He should really take care of you.
(The only thing Dallas, is those 19" AMG's are a grand and then some.. per rim!)
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Dallas, TX USA
2006 SL500
Originally Posted by b4mmy
Ricky, my wheels are X2 8X18" fronts + X2 9X18" rears both with polished lip and offset ET20-25 (I was sure to ask for the correct offset) and are unbranded.
Yeah, I saw the AMGs at my local MB the other day. I think they were $5870.00 for the set. As soon as I have a $100,000.00 car I will look into spending 7 grand on a wheel and tire setup. In the meantime I am extremely happy with mine.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Manchester, UK
500 SL R129, Blue - 1991. Mini Cooper S, Works Kit Silver - 2007. Mitsubishi FTO, Silver - 1996.
hi sl500_dallas.... yep they look exactly the same. They look nice on what I can see of your car.
I looked at the back of the alloys yesterday and the offset and sizes are stamped in there, along with a Made in Germany stamp... which is a bit strange as I'd expect it to say Gebildet in Deutschland, or Hergestellt in Deutschland.... or something like that...
I was wondering though... when you say 'mounting hardware' did you get something else other than the bolts....?
I'll give Luke a call as soon as I can Ricky.
Many thanks to both of you.
I looked at the back of the alloys yesterday and the offset and sizes are stamped in there, along with a Made in Germany stamp... which is a bit strange as I'd expect it to say Gebildet in Deutschland, or Hergestellt in Deutschland.... or something like that...
I was wondering though... when you say 'mounting hardware' did you get something else other than the bolts....?
I'll give Luke a call as soon as I can Ricky.
Many thanks to both of you.
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some
Originally Posted by ricky.agrawal
I'll be dead honest, AMG parts are hard to get. Lorinser used to make a 'copy' but they discontinued that.
Just so we're on the same page, you're talking about this wheels right?
Just so we're on the same page, you're talking about this wheels right?
to give my opinion, these rims dont look good on a 129, i have them on my 124 E500 and they look great, but on a 129...... my friend has similar ones on his 129-320. and every time i see them i feel like they mess up the flow of the car.
My .02
Mark
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Los Angeles
96 SL500, 97 E420
Originally Posted by RedMongoosE
to give my opinion, these rims dont look good on a 129, i have them on my 124 E500 and they look great, but on a 129...... my friend has similar ones on his 129-320. and every time i see them i feel like they mess up the flow of the car.
My .02
Mark
My .02
Mark
