W211 AMG Discuss the W211 AMG's such as the E55 and the E63

Need advice on 20 inch rims

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Old May 17, 2008 | 12:52 AM
  #1  
bmdavid79's Avatar
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From: Bayarea
2003 E55
Need advice on 20 inch rims

So I got 20's put on today. The fronts are 245/35/20 and the rear are 275/30/20. Anyways, after the rims were installed I noticed the upper control arm bolts or the upper balljoints bolt was rubbing on the tire. There is not much clearance between them. The guy said drive the car until the end of bolt starts shaving some of the tire and eventually will make its on clearance. So for you guys that put 20's on, did that problem occur with you guys and if did what was the solution to fix it. I was just thinking of just grinding the bottom of the bolt until it clears the tires. Thanks
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Old May 17, 2008 | 12:58 AM
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From: SoCal
W221
I durno about everyone else but I would high suggest that you do NOT grind down the bottom of the bolt. If that bolt was to become loose, then you are done for. Maybe it's the type of tire that you got. Some tires have different sidewalls and therefor the height of the tires are effected...

Whatever you do I high suggest that you do NOT grind down the bolt...

GL on your quest!!!
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Old May 17, 2008 | 02:31 AM
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Your worst nightmare...
20s are a bit rough IMO...
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Old May 17, 2008 | 05:12 AM
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e500
Originally Posted by bmdavid79
The guy said drive the car until the end of bolt starts shaving some of the tire and eventually will make its on clearance. So for you guys that put 20's on, did that problem occur with you guys and if did what was the solution to fix it. I was just thinking of just grinding the bottom of the bolt until it clears the tires. Thanks
Neither griding the bolts nor letting the tire wear in the area sound like a good idea. I think part of the problem is that you are running 1" bigger than OEM diameter. On my Lexus, I run these 1" overspec tires and don't have this problem. I do notice that the w211s are a bit more finicky. I will be running 30/25 series on my 20s for the MB.
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Old May 17, 2008 | 05:50 AM
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From: Valdosta, GA
2004 mercedes E320
Originally Posted by bmdavid79
So I got 20's put on today. The fronts are 245/35/20 and the rear are 275/30/20. Anyways, after the rims were installed I noticed the upper control arm bolts or the upper balljoints bolt was rubbing on the tire. There is not much clearance between them. The guy said drive the car until the end of bolt starts shaving some of the tire and eventually will make its on clearance. So for you guys that put 20's on, did that problem occur with you guys and if did what was the solution to fix it. I was just thinking of just grinding the bottom of the bolt until it clears the tires. Thanks
I have exactly the same kind of tires on my 03 E320 and i had to grind down the bolt. I took it to a rim shop and did it for me for 10 bucks. I left at least 1 thread from the botom of the nut since it gives you clearance for the tire. The 03-05 E class have this problem when you put on 20's. Ive had this done over 1 1/2 years ago and havent had any problems at all. Ive gone over huge speed bumps and no problem at all. I got pics if you wanna see mine. let me know.
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Old May 17, 2008 | 09:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Neoii
Neither griding the bolts nor letting the tire wear in the area sound like a good idea. I think part of the problem is that you are running 1" bigger than OEM diameter. On my Lexus, I run these 1" overspec tires and don't have this problem. I do notice that the w211s are a bit more finicky.

AGREED!! To those that are running 20s and hitting that bolt, how on earth are you not tearing up the fender on turns with dips? That is almost gross to me.
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Old May 17, 2008 | 11:49 AM
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CLS 550 Black AMG pkg. E55 Platinum Blue Monte Carlo Blue Acura NSX-T Desert SilverBMW 650
wrong size

Your running the wrong size tires, take those 35's off you need 30's no reason to keep em unless you want to screw something up
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Old May 17, 2008 | 03:10 PM
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From: Phoenix
E55
Need 30 up front and 25 in the rear. Even then you are slightly larger diameter than stock or even 19's at 35 and 40.
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Old May 17, 2008 | 05:31 PM
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1989 Toyota Tercel EZ - dyno'd @ 70whp/77wtq
I use same specs (35 front, 30 rear) w/ Toyo T1R... didn't grind the bolts... and no rub whatsoever (haven't tried it in fully compressed - e.g. turning, braking and over a bump). For some reason my wheel installer said that I got the "thinner" bolts than usual No evidence of the bolts being grinded
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Old May 17, 2008 | 05:51 PM
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04 w211 E55
I had 245/35/20 and it was touching that bolt so is ent back the front tires and got 255/30/20 and they fit just right. For the back i got 275/30/20 and it was rubbing on turns. You should go either 30/30 or 30/25.
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Old May 17, 2008 | 09:06 PM
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hey guys thanks for all you guys input. I appreciate it. Anyways I decided just to grind the bolt off at least 2 threads. Now it has clearance and its fine. Everything running good now. The bolt just ate some of the thread off the tire, eventually the tire will just wear down.
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