Tread Separation
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 1
From: LA, CA
2002 E55 AMG
Tread Separation
Anyone know anything about tread separation on our cars? My front left has separated from the inside... and my right front is starting to show signs. Maybe a misalignment? I had the car checked out and my suspension components are fine. Replaced shocks and ball joints within the last 10k miles. The car is unstable at highway speeds, pulls to the right, and when going over bumpy roads or dips... the steering wheel goes with the road. I researched tread separation and no one seemed to say they would cause these symptoms... Car has been sitting for a few days now... will be getting new tires this week.
PS. Dunlop Run Flats are possibly the worst tire you can buy EVER.
http://i45.tinypic.com/16h2q3d.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/jsk6e1.jpg
PS. Dunlop Run Flats are possibly the worst tire you can buy EVER.
http://i45.tinypic.com/16h2q3d.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/jsk6e1.jpg
Last edited by Nocturnal-G; Jun 17, 2012 at 08:23 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,249
Likes: 257
From: Richmond, CA
2001 E320 Wagon, 2006 LBZ Silverado, 2007 E63 (sold), 2001 E55 (sold)
We had it happen to all 4 tires on our old shop truck one time (2001 F250 4x4). It turned out it was just a bad bunch of tires and they were all replaced for free.
Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 209
Likes: 8
From: San Diego, Cali
AMG 2002 E55, 1997 E320
Anyone know anything about tread separation on our cars? My front left has separated from the inside... and my right front is starting to show signs. Maybe a misalignment? I had the car checked out and my suspension components are fine. Replaced shocks and ball joints within the last 10k miles. The car is unstable at highway speeds, pulls to the right, and when going over bumpy roads or dips... the steering wheel goes with the road. I researched tread separation and no one seemed to say they would cause these symptoms... Car has been sitting for a few days now... will be getting new tires this week.
PS. Dunlop Run Flats are possibly the worst tire you can buy EVER.
http://i45.tinypic.com/16h2q3d.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/jsk6e1.jpg
PS. Dunlop Run Flats are possibly the worst tire you can buy EVER.
http://i45.tinypic.com/16h2q3d.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/jsk6e1.jpg
Wow, that looks terrible. I would be in contact with Dunlop Tires.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,280
Likes: 4
From: Bostonian Ma
2012 CLS63 AMG
It's not the tires. I can speak from experience, it's your alignment and you also need to buy camber bolts. These cars should ONLY be align by MB even I don't because of time and scheduling.
I have the same exact problem. The thing is when you take your Benz to one of these shops do you think they really drop the front shield to try to adjust the camber bolts that don't adjust? The weird thing is MB has adjustable front camber bolts but decieded not to include them
I've always wonder why my camber was off not by much but just enough that if you go a year without the adjustable camber bolts you will end up with the pics above.
Perhaps others are lucky, but my front is strong like bull and my one year tires are shot.
You can purchase the OEM mb bolts from autohause this will get the alignment to the T
If you do a search out ou find my NTB alignment sheet and the camber is off
I have the same exact problem. The thing is when you take your Benz to one of these shops do you think they really drop the front shield to try to adjust the camber bolts that don't adjust? The weird thing is MB has adjustable front camber bolts but decieded not to include them
I've always wonder why my camber was off not by much but just enough that if you go a year without the adjustable camber bolts you will end up with the pics above.Perhaps others are lucky, but my front is strong like bull and my one year tires are shot.
You can purchase the OEM mb bolts from autohause this will get the alignment to the T
If you do a search out ou find my NTB alignment sheet and the camber is off
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 1
From: LA, CA
2002 E55 AMG
I forgot to mention... The tires are approx. 6 years old. I got them for a great deal, that's why I picked up a set. Otherwise I wouldn't pay 1,800 for a set... I'd rather go with something else. I'll find my alignment sheet when I got these tires put on... I switched tires and got new ball joints so I had an alignment done. Didn't think a poor alignment would cause such an issue. Thank you for the help Armani!
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,396
Likes: 38
From: Bay Area, CA
2007 SL55 AMG
your front bearings may need tightening. My new tires was starting to wear like that before I did my bearings. It was also feel wobbly on the freeway and would float on bumps.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 1
From: LA, CA
2002 E55 AMG
I had the whole suspension checked and so far nothing. Both front wheels exhibit minimal play side to side and up and down tugging on the wheel, which I'm told is normal. And I'm also told the wheel bearings on our cars are sealed and cannot be adjusted. Any insight to that?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,396
Likes: 38
From: Bay Area, CA
2007 SL55 AMG
I had the whole suspension checked and so far nothing. Both front wheels exhibit minimal play side to side and up and down tugging on the wheel, which I'm told is normal. And I'm also told the wheel bearings on our cars are sealed and cannot be adjusted. Any insight to that?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,280
Likes: 4
From: Bostonian Ma
2012 CLS63 AMG
I forgot to mention... The tires are approx. 6 years old. I got them for a great deal, that's why I picked up a set. Otherwise I wouldn't pay 1,800 for a set... I'd rather go with something else. I'll find my alignment sheet when I got these tires put on... I switched tires and got new ball joints so I had an alignment done. Didn't think a poor alignment would cause such an issue. Thank you for the help Armani!
My plan of attack is to monitor the play for the wheel bearings as they are less than a year old. Add the new camber bolts new tires and I'll keep a good eye on the tires plus bearings as I still don't believe/think they should have play.
I still believe it's the Camber bolts that need to adjust to the get a accurate alignment as the tires are getting killed on the inside aka camber or the autohaus wheel bearings sux and go OEM
Armani
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 1
From: LA, CA
2002 E55 AMG
No problem. I should also add that my wheel bearings had a little play but I was told from my Indy shop along with a few other members that they should have a little play. However I had my Indy guy re-tighten just enough before they freeze (no spin) conducted L and R.
My plan of attack is to monitor the play for the wheel bearings as they are less than a year old. Add the new camber bolts new tires and I'll keep a good eye on the tires plus bearings as I still don't believe/think they should have play.
I still believe it's the Camber bolts that need to adjust to the get a accurate alignment as the tires are getting killed on the inside aka camber or the autohaus wheel bearings sux and go OEM
Armani
My plan of attack is to monitor the play for the wheel bearings as they are less than a year old. Add the new camber bolts new tires and I'll keep a good eye on the tires plus bearings as I still don't believe/think they should have play.
I still believe it's the Camber bolts that need to adjust to the get a accurate alignment as the tires are getting killed on the inside aka camber or the autohaus wheel bearings sux and go OEM
Armani
Left front: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...urnal-G/al.jpg
Right front: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...rnal-G/al1.jpg
Front: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...rnal-G/al2.jpg
Left rear: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...rnal-G/al3.jpg
Right rear: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...rnal-G/al4.jpg
Rear: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...rnal-G/al5.jpg
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 998
Likes: 4
From: Central Connecticut
86 190D (Exported to the Nerderlands), 87 300TD (Sold), 82 Ford F150 3spd, 99 E300D (RIP), 02 E55
Chamber Bolts
It's not the tires. I can speak from experience, it's your alignment and you also need to buy camber bolts. These cars should ONLY be align by MB even I don't because of time and scheduling.
I have the same exact problem. The thing is when you take your Benz to one of these shops do you think they really drop the front shield to try to adjust the camber bolts that don't adjust? The weird thing is MB has adjustable front camber bolts but decieded not to include them I've always wonder why my camber was off not by much but just enough that if you go a year without the adjustable camber bolts you will end up with the pics above.
Perhaps others are lucky, but my front is strong like bull and my one year tires are shot.
You can purchase the OEM mb bolts from autohause this will get the alignment to the T
If you do a search out ou find my NTB alignment sheet and the camber is off
I have the same exact problem. The thing is when you take your Benz to one of these shops do you think they really drop the front shield to try to adjust the camber bolts that don't adjust? The weird thing is MB has adjustable front camber bolts but decieded not to include them
I've always wonder why my camber was off not by much but just enough that if you go a year without the adjustable camber bolts you will end up with the pics above.Perhaps others are lucky, but my front is strong like bull and my one year tires are shot.
You can purchase the OEM mb bolts from autohause this will get the alignment to the T
If you do a search out ou find my NTB alignment sheet and the camber is off
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,889
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
I think you would be better of with K-Mac bushes. Good for front and rear. They are adjustable through a large range and definitely more than OE camber bolts. You can do away with adjustable after-market camber arms
Link here: http://www.k-mac.com.au/
and MB product list here: http://www.k-mac.com/pages/newprods/...ercedes_05.htm
Link here: http://www.k-mac.com.au/
and MB product list here: http://www.k-mac.com/pages/newprods/...ercedes_05.htm
Last edited by DRBC43AMG; Jun 19, 2012 at 11:46 AM. Reason: Added links
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
If those are rear, try changing outter lower arm bushings. Those collapse with wear and cause camber problem. Also, other rear control arms have rubber bushings that wear. I replaced outter lower arm bushings and got a kit with all rear control arms from FCP. This fixed my camber and eliminated inner rear tire wear.
Last edited by richyoung; Sep 15, 2012 at 12:41 PM.
