Mercedes-Benz Forum banner

Shortening the axles to run DEEP dish wheels... can it be done?

15K views 49 replies 13 participants last post by  tusabes 
#1 · (Edited)
I've been wanting to run really deep dish wheels for a long time now, and the only way that has been possible for me so far was to have the wheels poke out of the fenders, which I'm not happy with for several reasons.

Anyway, I'd really like to go 6", 7" or even deeper on the rear dish and keep it all under the guards.

I'm wondering if it's possible to shorten the rear axles? I'm not very familiar with the W126 rear end setup, so can anyone shed some light on the topic?
 
#3 · (Edited)
The idea of making the rear suspension narrower to fit wider wheels inside the body really does seem like it goes against the very reason people normally put wider wheels and tires on their cars, to increase stability and decrease roll.

Maybe look up what drag racers do when they "tub" the rear end and put in a totally different rear axle and suspension. But keep in mind that those cars are only intended to go straight and have a tendency to roll over when they turn.

And... Is a 10x17 et17 wheel with a 2.5" lip really not enough lip?







I also have bbs rs058 which are 10x16 et11 with 3" lips which I believe will fit with some messaging.
 
#4 · (Edited)
I've looked into a Ford 9" diff with solid axles and airbag suspension, that is a possibility.

The drag cars you're referring to usually have either a 4 link or ladder bar suspension setup, which is why they are designed to go in a straight line, and not for street use and cornering. A 9" diff is still possible to fit without a 4 link or ladder bar setup, and therefore you will not roll over when you turn.

However, I'd like to keep it all Merc so if possible I would look at modifying my existing setup first. The plus side of a 9" though would be that I could run any diff ratio I wanted.
 
#6 ·
I have a set of those AMGs on my car right now, but I put even wider lips on them and now they stick out past the fenders.

I want to got 20 x 10 with a 6 or 7" lip and make it tuck. Ultimately I'd love to go 20 x 12 and run 345 tyres but I don't want to lose my back seat to tub it. So I want to stick with what fits, I just want more dish.
 
#9 ·
Going "in", with shortened axles, will mean significant modifications to the suspension. Don't know about you, but I am NOT sufficiently knowledgeable to undertake that!!

My suggestion is to go "out". It would be *much* easier to get some "wide-body" modifications done to cover wider wheels!
 
#10 ·
Going "in", with shortened axles, will mean significant modifications to the suspension.
Is much more than that: Shortening the axels will dramatically increase the relative movement of their components for the same as before LCA travel. The shorter the axels, the more the relative movement will be.

The desired solution by the OP will add all kind of problems, not only suspension wise (the sway bar hasn't even been discussed), but also drive train wise. To make things worst, the brakes may have to be modified too. In the end, it might be easier and safer to modify the fenders to hide much wider wheels.
 
#14 ·
Zoltan the easiest solution is to go wider on the body panels and don't muck around with the suspension set up is it is way too complex to go that path.

That Inden Design SE that had wide rims fitted and big rubber in the rear he simply did panel work (minor to the front wheel arch 560 lips) and sourced another set of 560 front guards and cut the wheel arch lips off and welded them into the rear wheel arch to create a wider arch for more room.

It was a simple fix to keep the straight body SE lines and if you look carefully the rear arch now sits a bit higher in line with the front wheel arch and it actually looks better than the original design as both front and rear are more on balance with each other.

Adrian down in Malaga would easily be able to undertake that mod for you-
Owner of Farrace Customs and Classic Restorations who can tackle any custom panel work required.
Rust Repair, Custom Car & Restoration Specialists | Farrace Customs & Classic Restoration - Perth, WA
 

Attachments

#15 ·
I'm not really a fan of the Inden Design SEL Kim. It doesn't look right to me.

My current setup - OZ AMG 17 x 9.5 and 17 x 11 doesn't look right to me either though. I don't like the stretch on the tyres from some angles, but without the stretch there is no way I can run them.

After all the advice here, I'm thinking I should sell my SEL and buy or build a Widebody coupe. I think that would be the best way to go to be honest.

I really like this Widebody. The stance and wheels are perfect! 17 x 12s up back. I would seriously consider buying it if I had the money.
 

Attachments

#18 ·
Koenig did it - i have those rims (SSR) just need wider lips
There has been an AMG widebody version done
Even here local in Perth there has been a 9inch rear end conversion done but it has been set up for the drags with a full blown engine
 

Attachments

#21 ·
The AMG widebody version works well on the SEL as it allows a nice subtle sweep of the rear flair into the rear door giving it more of a factory look.

This blue SEL is the only one i have ever come across off the web and it also has an SEC front end conversion (which i don't like on an SEL/SE) and a manual trans and many other mods
I don't even know which country it resides in though it is LHD
If someone knows anything about this widebody SEL and/or more pics please chip in
 

Attachments

#23 ·
The AMG widebody version works well on the SEL as it allows a nice subtle sweep of the rear flair into the rear door giving it more of a factory look.

This blue SEL is the only one i have ever come across off the web and it also has an SEC front end conversion (which i don't like on an SEL/SE) ...

The reason is simple - there are no front wings for limousines!

But i guess, it could be done. Just cut a wing at the horizontal line and weld it back with a rounder shape. Ok, one will need some skills, but its not impossible. The biggest problem will be to get the widebody bumpers and sidesills...
 
#27 ·
Think the rear doors and fenders look like the real challenge. We've got a 300se parts car in the warehouse which would be tempting to try this on, but those rear doors and fenders look like a ton of work. And then after all that, it looks like that door off the car had tons of bondo on it to smooth it out. Maybe some things just aren't meant to be done.
 
#29 ·
It is a shame the blue widebody SEL cannot be tracked down as it is so rare now it might be the only one on the planet left if it is still in existance?
Yes the manual conversion back then would have made it an exciting car to drive and i wonder what engine/mods were under the hood?
 
#30 ·
I´ve been dreaming of such a conversion for along time - maybe next year! A friend of mine calculated the 500 SEL with the 2.24 rear axle and a dogleg getrag (dogleg means 1 gear lower left). This sports version has not an overdrive, the fifth gear is 1:1 like the fourth in the tranny. He said, that i can beat every 560 on the first 200 meters :D
 
#33 ·
Doglegs are nice to shift with the 2nd & 3rd gear in one straight line.
& i get that curising speed vs rpm in my 230TE with stock 5 speed tranny.
130km/h @ a little less than 3k rpm.

A getrag on a V8 would be damn nice! I'm pretty sure you'll need custom adapters though Roland?
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top