mikeblah

the clearance I'm talking about is between the top of the front tire and that bolt that comes down just above. it's attached to the suspension arm that comes out. with anything less than 20s, i doubt it would be a concern. (depending on tire size, of course)

each new set of tires i get varies in clearance, but the new set i put on yesterday takes the cake. less than 1/16th of an inch.. could barely get a butter knife between the tire and that bolt... (really. i did it.)

i let a few pounds out of the tire to get the PSI down to 35 and there is just the slightest clearance and the bolt happens to be inline with a pre-existing channel in the tire tread, so i think i'll be ok.

but has anyone had this problem? and has it resulted in damage to your car? i'm wondering if i hit a bump and the top of the tire bulges whether or not it will be too close and do some damage.

thanks for any insight

jrtireman

I just put 20's on my 03 sl500. I have plenty of room but I used a 245 /30 / 20 tire size. The bolt you are talking about will not move in ralationship to the tire.
I have heard of people shaving the bolt down a little if it is to close for comfort.
I would recommend running close to 40psi in a 20" tire. I have been told by a professional that straightens and repair wheels for a living that the more air pressure you have in a tire the better the wheel is protected from bending or being damaged by potholes or bumps.

CY

I run a 255/30/20 in the front with an exact offset rim and have the car lowered with no issues.

Matjo

What ET do you run? Front/back?

mikeblah

ya, i've got 255/35/20 and it's close. i'll see how it goes and maybe shave that bolt down if needed.

if you guys see me back in the S Class forums, you'll know something went terribly wrong and i needed a new car-

Guido1986

20 inch by what tho???? my rims are 20 inch by 8.5 in the front and 20 inch by 9.5 in the back.....I know sometimes when pple get the 20x10 or 20x11 like a more wider wheel it ends up rubbing......before i wanted a bigger lip on my wheel but when my friends were having problems with the rubbing i was like forget it ill keep the ones i got...........

jrtireman

I have 20x8.5 front with 245/35/20
and 20x10 rear with 325/25/20 and I have no issues at all with rubbing.
I did get my wheels with the correct offset for my car. I could actually lower it a little and that is in the plans. My wheels are DRIV Strasse. So far I am very happy with my choice on the wheel and tire package. Where I live in North Carolina everyone has been turning heads to look at my car. The roads are not at all rough in my area for twenties. I can tell a little difference but not enough to complain. I am running 40 psi in tires front and rear.

geeaccord

I got my car a few months ago that already had 20in on it with 245/30-20 in the front and 285/30-20 in the rear and I'm having problem with ribbing in the rear. The are Lowenhart rims and I when on tirerack.com and other web sites and that what they're calling for on the car, do anyone know what else could be wrong I just replaced the right shock because they said it was leaking and was calling the problem but it still rubbing. Any help..

CY

CHeck the offset on your lowenharts...it may be wrong I run 305 20's with no rubbing and its a bit lowered.

geeaccord

I will try to get it in to a shop tomorrow to find out what the offset and will call the mercedes dealer back tomorrow since I just pick it back up for them putting on the new right shock.

CY

Youre running a 325/35/20 on a 10 inch wheel? The rear tires in your pics look nothing like a 325....look more like 275? Please explain.

geeaccord

The offset for the front is 20x8.5 with 245/35 tires and rear is 20x9.5 with 285/30. So going to take it back to mercedes and have them put on the Star system to check if it been lower.

CY

With my car the guys at the shop messed around a little and could actually slam it with the 305 in the rear...you shouldnt have any rubbing with the correct offset IMO.

newguycls55

you should shave the bolt down flat. thats my suggestion, i done it on all my benz with 20"

geeaccord

Well the mercedes look at the vehicle on the star system and the setting was correct but they look under the right rear wheel and the cover was looses an push down and u can see that the tire had been rubbing. So order another cover and hope that work or they said they will lift the back end if I still have the problem after installing the cover.

CY

So maybe the offset is OK....let us know how this works out.

jrtireman

Sorry it was a typo.. I have 305 /25 / 20 in the rear.

duc&tlrsammy

Pull of the front wheel, get a grinder and shave the part of the bolt hanging below the nut. It will be fine. We were runnning 255-30-20's and lowered, and it was perfect.

Keng1

I have 20" 9.5 (255s) front and 10.5 (305s) in the rear. No problems at all on my '03.

geeaccord

Well since they had move that rear wheel cover I having had any problem just waiting on the new to come in...but you could see that it was hit the rubber when you get up at a fast speed so I guess the wind had a little to do with it too.

CY

Most tire shops wouldnt put a 305 on a 10 inch rim...I didnt think it was even possible....even with a 10.5 they usually run a 295. Are you sure you dont have a 11 inch rim?

geeaccord

Well I just back in the States from overseas and still having rubbing in the rear but only on the driver size it hitting the outside fender only when going up and down deep hills at about 55mph. So back to the dealer again to fig out what going on.

geeaccord

Hi everyone, when to the dealer yesterday and they put the car on the ABC roll and found out that the traveling distance on the rear driver size is about 1in off from the other size and this is what causeing the rubbing when the vehicle bottom out. Have anyone had this problem with there car because the Tech really not sure if replacing that shock or four wheels alligment or something else with correct the problem and we know the replacing the shock is not cheap if it not going to fixes the problem. Thanks for any help...

gqa

hi geeaccord. i dont have an answer for you, but i was wondering did your dealer give you a problem in regards to you having 20s on you sl? im waiting for my new wheels and im expecting every time i take my car into the dealer there gonna blame everything on my 20 inch wheels. lol

geeaccord

No they love the 20's on the SL and the tech even look it up and said they should be okay for what he readed in the system. He said they have had some mercedes come from the factor where the rear is off center but he don't know if that will fixes the traveling issue on the right size and I just cannot just be paided money out like that if he not sure.