SL/R230: == Tire Problems... Please Help!! ==
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Joined: Nov 2010
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sl500
== Tire Problems... Please Help!! ==
I'm a female and I have no clue what to do so please bare with me. I purchased a 2003 SL500 with 20" rims on there. I needed new tires so I went to my local shop and had them replace the tires with the same ones I have on which stated 245/35/20 (front) and 255/35/20 (rear). When they put them on the rear were ok, but both front tires were rubbing against the bolt on the upper control arm.
I paid for the tires, installation and alignment and they told me since they installed it already I can not get a refund which is reasonable I guess since that was my fault. When I had the old tires they rode perfectly fine... maybe because they bought it used and put them on my SL so the tires were already a bit worn out?
They told me I can go with smaller tires in the front and they recommended 225/35/20, but it would still be a gamble since it is only a 0.6" difference. Should I just be cautious and go with the 30's instead of the 35's? I live in San Francisco and there are pot holes everywhere so I don't want to take the risk. Is 0.6" difference a lot.. enough to get by? Please help... thank you so much in advance!
I paid for the tires, installation and alignment and they told me since they installed it already I can not get a refund which is reasonable I guess since that was my fault. When I had the old tires they rode perfectly fine... maybe because they bought it used and put them on my SL so the tires were already a bit worn out?
They told me I can go with smaller tires in the front and they recommended 225/35/20, but it would still be a gamble since it is only a 0.6" difference. Should I just be cautious and go with the 30's instead of the 35's? I live in San Francisco and there are pot holes everywhere so I don't want to take the risk. Is 0.6" difference a lot.. enough to get by? Please help... thank you so much in advance!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 250
Likes: 4
From: Orange County, CA
2003 SL500, 74 Harley FL, 08 Yukon Denali
i had this same problem a few years ago. got a flat in vegas, they put on a tire that was too tall and it wore a groove into the tire on my drive back home to CA.
but they replaced that tire for me at no charge with a tire with a lower profile. the "size" was the same, but the actual height was different. They vary depending on who makes them.
now when i go in i tell them that i need the exact tire from the same manufacturer so that i know it will fit or they need to measure the height not just go off of the "size"
i will say that the distance between that bolt on the control arm and the center of the wheel does not change. So they must have, or should have, noticed that the new tire was too big and was causing that bolt to dig into the tread. It could be a safety concern since it could cause a blowout, etc.
but they replaced that tire for me at no charge with a tire with a lower profile. the "size" was the same, but the actual height was different. They vary depending on who makes them.
now when i go in i tell them that i need the exact tire from the same manufacturer so that i know it will fit or they need to measure the height not just go off of the "size"
i will say that the distance between that bolt on the control arm and the center of the wheel does not change. So they must have, or should have, noticed that the new tire was too big and was causing that bolt to dig into the tread. It could be a safety concern since it could cause a blowout, etc.
