allminesl550

Got a nail, it seems, slow leak out back, dont like the idea of running a new tire with 3 used ones, so Im hoping I can save it. Will these Pirelli's accept a plug?
One shop said yes, another "not reliable, buy a new tire", who to believe!

(by the way, Is this topic misplaced? sorry if it is)

SL2003driver

if its in the thread have it taken off and patched. if ti s anywhere else have the tire replaced

StephenK

I would get it replaced.

CY

replace it if it is anywhere near the side wall..

allminesl550

Ya, its gone, nothing in stock so they ordered one to arrive tomm.

Got a question for you carnuts: Id like to have them install the new tire on the side of the axle that does the most spinning since it wears more rapidly, the "drive wheel" if there is one; as you know they dont come with limited-slip diffs so I assume both rear wheels dont do the same work, one must (!?) be favored over the other, but which is it-- drivers side or pass-side? If they both spin with equal force/speed when you step on it then what do lim-slips do differently?

Can anyone enlighten me soon, tire goes on tomm am.
-Should I have them put it on the left, or on the right side.
-Or doesnt it matter.
Oh, and is it OK to move them side-to-side once used?
Is it important to ensure direction of rotation remains the same?

IngenereAMG

I believe that the drive wheel is the left (passenger) side
A LSD basically allows both of the rear wheels to be able to transmit the torque. Make sure that the tires are rotating in the proper direction.

SL2003driver

It's not going to mak a big difference. Your going to be rotating in 8-10K miles. But let us know if it really does wear faster. I've always found the fronts wear faster then the rears unless you burning rubber all the time.

allminesl550

Dino, do you mean drivers side (left), or passenger side (right). Normally they call the left side "drivers side" in USA.

allminesl550

SL2003driver, not sure about pre-07 models, but for 2007 the SLs have larger tires on back than on front, so there is no rotation possible. You just leave them till they wear out.

I want to put the new tire on the "drive wheel", but which one is that, drivers side or pass side? My drivers side tire got nailed.

ps:anyone want to buy a scarcely used almost perfect 285/35 ZR18 97Y Pzero Rosso, b.r.o.

WordSmith

I had the same problem, a nail dead center in the right rear of a new set of Pirelli's. I had it plugged. That was a year ago and I've had no problems, even at speeds in excess of 120 mph. (Disclaimer: Car was on a closed course with a professional driver. Kids, don't try this at home.)

th550

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but I'm confused. SLs don't have limited slip? I know that if I turn off the traction control and floor it, the car paints two nice black marks on the pavement. How is that possible without limited slip? From another thread, I also watched this video of the poster launching his SL with the same result.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApBD5YvaHNI

StephenK

He probably was in Dyno mode. ESP would have stopped that from happening.

th550

Maybe so, but I wasn't. Just turned off the ESP and it did the same thing. I don't get it. I just assumed it was limited slip.

WordSmith

Limited-slip means that both wheel get the same amount ofrotation applied from the differntial. Before limited-sli,p the differnential would supply power to the wheel wish the least resistance and only one wheel would spin. The MB traction control keeps both tires from spinning for maximum rubber-to-pavement contact and better acceration. Turn the traction control off, and both wheels will spin.