SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Click from rear wheel
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 46
Likes: 27
From: Florida
2005 SL65 AMG
Click from rear wheel
I have the original AMG SL65 rims on my SL65, also using the OEM lug bolts. One of the rear wheels makes a clicking noise which sounds exactly as if I had a big bolt in the tire.
Here is what it is NOT:
1) Something embedded in the tire. I've had the wheel off multiple times and have gone over every square millimeter of the tread and sidewall. Nothing is embedded in the tire.
2) Lug bolts. OEM lug bolts on the same rims which came from the factory (part# A2114001402). Furthermore, the ends of the thread are dirty, no "witness marks" or shiny spots from contact.
3) Something with the hub/brake. When I move the wheel to the other side of the car, the noise moves with it.
4) TPMS. I've rolled the wheel around in the garage and there is nothing rattling inside. (It doesn't make the click sound when off the car either)
5) Cracked rim/faceplate. Thoroughly inspected. No visual cracks. The wheel holds pressure fine. No leaking whatsoever.
So I'm left with three theories:
A) The 2 piece wheel is loose where the two pieces meet. I've ordered an XZN bit kit so I can remove and inspect the rim and faceplate.
B) Steel belt inside the tire has an issue. I've never heard of a slipped steel belt causing a clicking, but perhaps? In my experience, a slipped belt usually causes a "whump whump whump" kind of sound.
C) Wrong size tire. The car came with 305-30-19 in the rear versus stock 285-30-19. I wouldn't think this would cause an issue, but could it? (No scuff marks in the wheel well, so no contact there either)
Anyone else go through this with these rims and find a cause that was not 1 through 5 ?
I guess next step is taking it to a tire shop to have them dismount the tire from the rim and inspect it inside. ... And pray they don't scratch up the rim.
TIA
Here is what it is NOT:
1) Something embedded in the tire. I've had the wheel off multiple times and have gone over every square millimeter of the tread and sidewall. Nothing is embedded in the tire.
2) Lug bolts. OEM lug bolts on the same rims which came from the factory (part# A2114001402). Furthermore, the ends of the thread are dirty, no "witness marks" or shiny spots from contact.
3) Something with the hub/brake. When I move the wheel to the other side of the car, the noise moves with it.
4) TPMS. I've rolled the wheel around in the garage and there is nothing rattling inside. (It doesn't make the click sound when off the car either)
5) Cracked rim/faceplate. Thoroughly inspected. No visual cracks. The wheel holds pressure fine. No leaking whatsoever.
So I'm left with three theories:
A) The 2 piece wheel is loose where the two pieces meet. I've ordered an XZN bit kit so I can remove and inspect the rim and faceplate.
B) Steel belt inside the tire has an issue. I've never heard of a slipped steel belt causing a clicking, but perhaps? In my experience, a slipped belt usually causes a "whump whump whump" kind of sound.
C) Wrong size tire. The car came with 305-30-19 in the rear versus stock 285-30-19. I wouldn't think this would cause an issue, but could it? (No scuff marks in the wheel well, so no contact there either)
Anyone else go through this with these rims and find a cause that was not 1 through 5 ?
I guess next step is taking it to a tire shop to have them dismount the tire from the rim and inspect it inside. ... And pray they don't scratch up the rim.
TIA
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 46
Likes: 27
From: Florida
2005 SL65 AMG
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 222
Porsche guy who drives SL63 w/ perf pkg AND perf suspension
dont know what you have tried, but heres my opinion.
bolts too long, hitting brake parts or springs in the hub.
cv joint
brake shoe in hub hitting something in hub
something inside the tire
Easy to narrow down. Have someone stand by the wheel and drive around the parking lot, turn tight circles each way, listen and figure out where it comes from
bolts too long, hitting brake parts or springs in the hub.
cv joint
brake shoe in hub hitting something in hub
something inside the tire
Easy to narrow down. Have someone stand by the wheel and drive around the parking lot, turn tight circles each way, listen and figure out where it comes from
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 46
Likes: 27
From: Florida
2005 SL65 AMG
Finally solved! After having a different tire put on the noisy rim, thinking it may have been a slipped belt, since I couldn't find any other cause, the clicking went away....mostly...but was livable. After a couple days of driving though, the noise back! >:-(
I guess the dismount/remount may have tweaked the rim a bit and changed the volume of the ticking. Miles of rotation let it settle back to where it was loud again.
New tire didn't solve it, so that left the rim as the only culprit. I bought some XZN sockets and proceeded to check all the bolts holding the face place onto the barrel of the rim. These are the original 2-piece SL65 AMG 19" rims.
I was able to tighten all about 1/8 - 1/4 turn. A couple bolts were surprisingly loose, like 1/2 to 1 full turn. I checked the fronts too and only a couple bolts moved, the rest were so tight they wouldn't budge. The noise was coming from the rear only but I felt it prudent to check the fronts anyway.
I just took the car for a test spin and now it's dead silent! No clicking whatsoever.
Coincidentally, I altered my google searches to include "XZN" and "bolts" and came across this post. Same exact story as mine, but 8-1/2 years ago.
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/ti...front.1587323/
Got a clicking you can't figure out? Make sure your 2-piece rim bolts are tight!
I guess the dismount/remount may have tweaked the rim a bit and changed the volume of the ticking. Miles of rotation let it settle back to where it was loud again.
New tire didn't solve it, so that left the rim as the only culprit. I bought some XZN sockets and proceeded to check all the bolts holding the face place onto the barrel of the rim. These are the original 2-piece SL65 AMG 19" rims.
I was able to tighten all about 1/8 - 1/4 turn. A couple bolts were surprisingly loose, like 1/2 to 1 full turn. I checked the fronts too and only a couple bolts moved, the rest were so tight they wouldn't budge. The noise was coming from the rear only but I felt it prudent to check the fronts anyway.
I just took the car for a test spin and now it's dead silent! No clicking whatsoever.
Coincidentally, I altered my google searches to include "XZN" and "bolts" and came across this post. Same exact story as mine, but 8-1/2 years ago.
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/ti...front.1587323/
Got a clicking you can't figure out? Make sure your 2-piece rim bolts are tight!
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 103
Likes: 7
From: South Australia
2004 (MY05) SL55
Did you come across the correct torque specs in your research by chance?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 46
Likes: 27
From: Florida
2005 SL65 AMG
The bolts on my fronts were very tight. I couldn’t budge them using the same approximate torque I used to tighten the rears.
If any come loose again, I’ll remove the bolt, add red or blue locktite and reinstall.
Regards,
-Michael
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Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 115
Likes: 7
From: Dallas
2005 SL65 AMG, Motorcycle
I just added two piece AMG wheels after running aftermarket wheels for many years. I’m getting the same click from one of my rear wheels after new tires I’m glad to see this was likely the culprit
