Sinister4204

So I installed a winter set of tires and rims on my car and I took my car into the shop for some issues that I've been having. They say that the tires are slightly rubbing on the back side but I've had the issues from before the car even had the winter set on. The 4matic system is inoperative and they say that the transfer case needs to be fully replaced.

It is a brand new car almost just like 5 months old and ive had many issues with it already. Apparently they say that it might have issues getting approved to be replaced under warranty because the car is throwing a code for incorrect tire size but theres multiple other codes too.

Could they charge me for the transfer case replacement just because I had some wrong tire size on? I dont understand how that would completely cause a transfer case replacement. I'm in Canada and my car is a 22' E53.

raudiace4

What is the total rolling diameter of the wheels Front vs Back? There is a ratio that needs to be maintained for safe operation on AWD vehicles, more than 3% difference is usually not good for your differentials and transfer case.

Sinister4204

They are the same size front and back, both 19 inch. To be honest I dont see the tires being the issue because I was also having a similar issue before I installed the tires, I'm just concerned like can they find a way to make me pay for this? This should definetly be covered under warranty its a brand new car and I've had to take it in for repair like 4 times already in first 5 months of ownership its crazy they gave me a factory defect or something.

bobblehead

Were your running factory specs front & rear or did you deviate a lot ?

if you are running factory specs, I can’t see why they would rub to begin with.

Sinister4204

They weren’t factory spec it’s just offset was slightly lower than spec but it cleared brakes and I didn’t notice any rubbing so must’ve been slight. I still don’t see how that could completely cause a transfer case replacement

bobblehead

Can you try another mb dealer ? Each dealer operates differently, like you said, some will try to make you pay while some may be more friendly and helpful.

Sinister4204

yea that will probably be my next step along with speaking to the manager strictly about selling me a faulty car, it’s a brand new 6 figure car it shouldn’t be having this many mechanical and technical issues. I’m just waiting on her to get back to me she said she submitted a request to their warranty office or something.

bobblehead

You said there were rubbing issue , did you check out the wheels for signs of scratches (from rubbing on suspension components) ?

Sinister4204

I have not checked the wheels but from what the dealer tells me it’s been rubbing but only on the body not on the suspension.

bobblehead

Rubbing the body would mean wheels are extended outward and rub the wheel well fender, your tire sidewall may have sign of excess wear then.

i am no expert. If the tire keeps on rubbing the fender, the rotational sensor may be affecting enough for the rear differential / 4matic functionality to fail. If this is the case, it should take a real long term or tens of thousands of mileage to do that. Just don’t know.

alternatively, could your aftermarket wheels weigh too excessively over factory wheels ?

PeterUbers

Do you have pics of your ride with the rims?

ygmn

what size are TIRES?

wheels size is not critical for Transfer case andrear end etc.
Tire OD which is based on the TIRE SIZEis cricital

Example: 335/35R19

Cylinder Head

iTrader: (1)

Need to know the sizes of the tires. If its a square set that would be better than normal, but still you should always maintain as close to factory rolling diameter as possible.

utsteve98

I think the key question is how much have you deviated on rolling diameter between front and rear. What are your new tire sizes front and rear? If you deviated out of factory specs then that would create undue strain on transfer case and therefore wouldn’t be a warranty issue. It would be similar in putting an after factory tune and then blowing the engine which wouldn’t be under warranty either.

kponti

Doubt that is an issue with the 4matic pluses. It's capable of sending all or most of the power to the wheels with the most traction front or back

imack

+1. When I had a punctured rear tire replaced (MB wheel and tire warranty), I asked someone that I trust in the tire business if there were MB guidelines regarding right/left and front/rear diameter differences. His MB contact said only "same axle, same diameter", there was no guideline for front vs. rear diameters. Given that "same axle, same diameter" isn't really a number, to play it safe I bought another rear tire.

Ivan MacKenzie.