Need help pls: Tyre rims fitted with spacers, correct or incorrect?

[sdesilva]

Hi,

 

I had my tyre rims replaced recently. When I had the car serviced recently, I complained that the car's steering wheel vibrates a lot above 100km/h. I was told my rims were not the right size for my wheels. Apparently 3rd party had inserted spacers in the rims during installation so that it does not hit the caliper.

 

Is this correct or wrong? Was I outrightly sold the wrong size rim?

 

Thank you very much

[sdesilva]

And Hi everyone realised old accounts have been deleted. so hi again!

[jtang]

If you have gotten the good spacers like Eibach....you wouldn't have issues with vibration. The spacers must have a little protrusion that fits perfectly into the centre hub of the wheels so that the the car's wt is totally borne on it. The cheap backyard made type spacers is totally flat...hence the wt of the car is on the 5 bolts that's used to tighten the wheels. This results in vibrations....sooner or later, the wheels will dislodge as the bolts fracture. A dangerous event indeed.

[yc3333]

What car are you driving?

Where did you go for servicing which told you about the issue?

Firstly if you still have the original rims , change back and see whether the vibration issues still persist.

[Jarebbsg]

Go to a good tyre workshop to have it check. Vibrations could be due to several other factors not limiting to damaged rims which naked eyes cannot see until you put it thru the rotation check. Dun risk....abnormal vibrations are Warning Signs....

[tsktsk]

adding spacer --- sounds like incorrect offset

 

rims don't fit wheels --- sounds like rim width or tire width issue 

 

care to share your tires/rim profile and model

[sdesilva]

Hi, I am driving a SLK350, not the new model, bought in 2005. Tyres: Continental 225/40 R 18 Y XL (front wheel) Rims: Rayseng VR C345

 

The Mercedes servicing centre at Pandan Loop was the one whom informed me that the rims were incorrect, that the offset is wrong. Spacers were placed so it doesnt hit the caliper which should not be the case. And I am getting worried since as a layman vibrating so much can only mean something is wrong. I do not wish for safety to be compromised in anyway

 

I do not know much about tyres and rims hence I wish to find out if I was outrightly cheated or sold the wrong thing before I take it up to the shop or case. It wasnt done at a fly by night shop either, a proper shop in Loyang.

 

Thanks!

[sdesilva]

Oh I no longer have access to the original rims. 

 

Also are spacers usually required? Shouldnt a rim fit nicely without the need for spacers?

 

Thanks!

[jtang]

Oh I no longer have access to the original rims. 

 

Also are spacers usually required? Shouldnt a rim fit nicely without the need for spacers?

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

Like I said, if the spacers are the good ones...no issue whatsoever. Spacers are commonly used to clear the BBK calipers or if the offset is too high & the wheels are die die must have. I have used Eibach spacers before in my previous rides without any problem. Go back to the Loyang big time tyre shop (we all know which one) to get it rectified...ask for Eibach!

[Ah Bui]

IMHO... no tyre workshop would recommend spacers unless comsumer insists on certain rims... yet they should inform the consumers about it.... if nothing is done and spacers are added... there is something wrong with the integrity of the shop... for they are supposed to be the experts. ....

[funman]

Bro

 

You should go do a wheel balancing first to see if this is a problem. Cos vibrate at 100km/hr does sound like your wheel balancing is off.

[jtang]

Bro

 

You should go do a wheel balancing first to see if this is a problem. Cos vibrate at 100km/hr does sound like your wheel balancing is off.

 

 

I believe his mechanic would have thot of that 1st when the car was serviced & the problem highlighted...yes?

[sdesilva]

its only off by 5. mercedes tried to balance it. they said the wheel balancing is fine and the small difference should not cause such vibrations. It vibrates until i see my hand shaking like i have been hard at the alcohol bottle all my life. 

 

and yes i am pissed because i was not told it would not fit without spacers. it was not even a case of die die must have. they told me my 2 of my rims were spoilt and required new ones hence I had them changed.

 

thanks everyone! I wanted to know more before I confronted the shop. I think its extremely unethical. 

 

Once again, thanks!

[tsktsk]

bro, just to verify if your rays volk racing rims are on PCD 5 x 112, coz rays website no have 5 x 112 conti PCD, just in case lah.... also check if the rims would take the stock mercedes lugnuts, just off the top of head questions coz Rays while they do conti cars the workshop may give u a Jap spec rims, just my thoughts

 

u may like to check your stock R171 offset via this website:

http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/mercedes_alloy_wheels/slk_class_r171_alloys

[sdesilva]

Actually that's what the service centre commented that the rims were more for jap cars.

The rims are fitted in, how do I check this PCD 5 x 112(what is this btw)?

Thanks again.

[funman]

PCD 5 x 112, mean 5 holes and dist between hole is 112mm. Btw this PCD unlikely to be wrong.

 

If not it won't even be able to fit into yr ride. :-)

 

Adding on spacer is to change the off set, so that it looks nice and more flush to the fender.

 

Or in your case to clear your caliper. Best is to go back to the shop to let them check on yr rims.

[tsktsk]

Actually that's what the service centre commented that the rims were more for jap cars.

The rims are fitted in, how do I check this PCD 5 x 112(what is this btw)?

Thanks again.

Bro as our ride uses lug bolts (sorry I type lug nuts earlier) if your spacer is quite thick to clear your calipers then the stock bolts may become too shallow to secure the wheels. That may be one point to consider unless workshop sold u a longer lug bolt.

Second, back to PCD, is the spacer just a regular slab of metal or it comes with bolts, if the latter then it may add to the problem. Workshop may also use a wheel adapter to change PCD so without see pictures of what spacer they use will not be easy to advise further.

As for the lug bolts, if they didn't change yours then gotta see if the bolt sits properly with your volk racing rim. Think there is a post or 2 here about the shape of our bolts, think its rounded bottom so rims should also be shaped accordingly else may not be secure.

Also check centre bore. Not sure what R171 is.

Perhaps best is just go another workshop to get a second opinion.

[sdesilva]

any workshop to recommend? We do not have a regular workshop since most servicing done at pandan loop itself

[Ah Bui]

If you stay in the west.. can go to my regular tyre shop at bukit batok enterprise centre. .... Hong Tyres. ... 2nd floor... look for the boss... tell him the egg supplier recommend. .. he can help u... he's our go to guy for 2 generations....

[yc3333]

Any reputable rims/tyre shop would be able to advise you. Try our site sponsors Top93 or Ray S

[tsktsk]

yeah bro. As per the above posts. Good luck with your rims resolution.

[bernardchua]

Im guessing u installed a 5 x 114.3 PCD into yr Merc...this 5 x 114.3 PCD rims i ever tried to install on my W212 however the nuts will be very hard to tighten due to the difference of 2.3mm since Merc rims are 112mm and even if installed the rims will not be able to seat properly thats y causing the vibration

[sdesilva]

Thank you for all the kind advice. I called Stamford themselves in Jurong to ask. I was told this rim is suitable only for Volkswagon and Jap cars only. Hopefully this can be solved peacefully. Would like all these vibration to stop.

 

Thank you! Will keep you all updated.

[Ah Bui]

I suspect they will play Taichi... hope U still have the receipt.... that'll help a lot in your arguments....

 

Thank you for all the kind advice. I called Stamford themselves in Jurong to ask. I was told this rim is suitable only for Volkswagon and Jap cars only. Hopefully this can be solved peacefully. Would like all these vibration to stop.

 

Thank you! Will keep you all updated.

[Wishbone]

I think the best thing to do now is to find a set of original w212 rims and fit it up, see whether the vibration disappear or not.