Another Alloy wheels question....Sorry!

[maxstu]

Hi All,
I've not been on here for a while. So good to read the club is as popular as ever.

I been given (fortunate?.. may be?) an immaculate set of merc alloys wheels. Sizes are rims 6 1/2J x 15H2 ET37. (The tyres 195/65R15 are not too healthy. But I intend to change these for new C rated ones anyway so they're not an issue).

My two questions are:
The wheel bolt holes need machining to allow 14mm bolts and studs. But what is the correct drilling diameter? 16mm to 17mm perhaps ? My old steels have a diameter of 18mm and rely on the radius bolts or nuts to centre wheel.

According to WIKI merc alloys are correct at ET37. However we fitted a front wheel to see if it connected with other components and turning steering on full lock to lock found it did; it was hitting the suspension or wishbone. I need spacers? And if yes how can I judge what thickness spacer is needed to clear obstruction? Furthermore do I put same thickness spacers on rears to match?

One thing we did note: If fitting non standard alloys to you bus make sure there is enough room for fitting balancer weights on internal edge of rim. Its a tight fit and my just clear the brake calipers. Or perhaps ask for glued weights instead of knock on ones.

Thanks
Stuart

[gerttone]

i drilled my wheels to 16 mm and they were fine also cut strips of metal for spacers to see what fitted then ordered the right spacers but they are mostley 10 mm if so then your et will be out at 27 et , i ditched my alloys for nice steels in the end, alloys in my opinion are not safe as soon as my boy was born i changed them,

[maxstu]

Thanks for the reply. I have to admit it does seem to be a whole lot of aggro for a smart set of alloys. I tend to keep most toys standard and may continue so with wheels for the camper.

[R0B]

The carat alloys im selling are perfectly safe.They were made for these vans..

alloys in my opinion are not safe

[kevtherev]

Drilling alloys or machining metal, integral to the strength of the wheel, is not safe... I agree

Alloys designed for the load and fit without modification are

Like Benz ML's for example

[maxstu]

Hi Kev and I share your views. These merc alloys are from a estate car with a gross weight of approx 1400 kilos. Not sure how that figure stacks up against my camper but I'm certain the old ship weighs in damn heavier

Hi Rob, unlike you wealthy mansion owning northerners, I'm a cash strapped southeern softy living in a studio flat not much bigger than my camper. And paying extortionate rates too for the privilege to work in the big smoke. Taking into account safety issues raised above would you care to donate alloys instead...you may be saving a fellow humans' life throught this charitable deed.

Seriously, I'm on a budget of around £300 to spend on this upgrade. And thats including new c rated tyres with new studs and spacers.

Final nail the the coffin perhaps! Just heard back from insurance company. Excess doubled to £300 and insist on locking wheel nuts.

I think this plan is finally shelved.

[CycloneMike]

I think you'll find 1400kg will be kerb weight. Gross will be higher. Unless its a v small Merc

[maxstu]

Not offending I hope but.....damn and blast you Cyclone so project is back on track.

Have just given alloys a good looking over and inside they're stamped 97 which I presume is load index. Also looking at inside there is ample "meat" around original holes without compromising robustness....but then I'm no engineer!

Will crack another beer and give to ponderence once more............they do look good up against the van though

[kevtherev]

Your right.. You are no engineer.
I think your plan for these alloys must be redirected
find some that need no surgery, plenty about.

However if you feel that the metal removal is very little and it wouldn't matter then carry on
After all, I've never heard of any re-engineered alloys collapsing.

I would never publicly recommend modifying alloys to fit....

[maxstu]

Hi Kev,

I appeciate your reply and will give it some thought over the weekend. I think for now I'll concentrate on getting the new exhaust fitted for MOT next tuesday.

Thanks

[Cruz]

Kevs right. Plenty of E class alloys out there

I've got these on

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/16-MERCEDES-ALLOY ... 3720473726" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Needed longer rear studs and longer conversion studs on the front and have 10mm spacers on the front and 20mm on the rear.

[Titus A Duxass]

Yes Kev is right.

I copied him and went for Merc ML 16" wheels like these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-ALLOY-WHEELS-ME ... 2565587309

The centre bore is large enough, the wheel stud holes are M14 so there's no machining required.
I've got 20mm spacers all round with Brickwerks stud conversions on the front.
Kev has 10mm spacers on his set up.

Centre caps construction can be found in the wiki.

This is them on in black


And this is them in white

[maxstu]

Many thanks for all the replies.

I do want to put safety first so may start looking for straight fitting alloys. However as these alloys were given to me and having limited funds I suppose I could sell on these pristine wheels and look elsewhere. I feel a little guilty profiting on something given to me though

One thing I've noticed though in the links to merc alloys listed above are the load ratings accepted by you guys. Surely 95 is not enough. Especially when it is generally agreed tyre loads should be commercially rated?

Thanks again for all your help

[kevtherev]

95 Is the bare minimum
97 is better
most tyres at 95 are "reinforced" with harder compund rubber and don't have the extra sidewall rayon plys.

[maxstu]

Fair do's and thanks for answering my questions.