Can anyone identify this wheel?? - Benzworld.org

flynavy987 · 07-30-2005, 12:00 AM

I bought the car used with these wheels already installed. I've got a steering wheel vibration/frame shimmy between 50 and 60mph and the dealer tells me I have "a few bent wheels." Very helpful huh? Well, I'm trying to find a replacement for these but I can't find them anywhere.

eBay has a ton of them but all are chromed. Any help would be great guys!

**ThrillKill** · 07-30-2005, 06:27 AM

They don't look that bad. Why not get them straightened?

flynavy987 · 07-30-2005, 07:40 AM

Actually, because I didn't know you could do that. Any ideas on places that would do it? Thanks!

**ThrillKill** · 07-30-2005, 07:59 AM

State your location, I'm sure there are members near you who would know.

flynavy987 · 07-30-2005, 08:10 AM

Doubt anyone is from South Texas... Corpus Christi to be precise. I'm not totally convinced its my wheels anyway.

So before a road trip, I decided it might be time to rotate the wheels. Not the best idea. I put the rears on the front and as soon as I put it in reverse, I realized I shouldn't have. The rears were an inch or so wider than the fronts. I guess there was less clearance in the front and the tires started rubbing. Ever since that, I've had the vibration in the front end. I took it to the dealer thinking a weight must have fallen off. They told me the wheels were out of balance and also slightly bent.

I've never hit a curb but I have come to find out these whels might be cheaper replicas. However, I know it didn't shimmy before I attempted to rotate the wheels and that did not bend them for sure.

Any ideas?

600600 · 07-30-2005, 09:05 AM

In the UK these wheels were on some of the old shape SL's. They are currently avaiable at the Merc dealerships. I am not sure if the US Market would supply the same wheels.

**ThrillKill** · 07-30-2005, 09:37 AM

Well those are apparently staggered (wider in back than front) I hope you put them back in the right place[:0]. Have you had an alignment? Does the shimmy get worse with speed? That is the classic complaint of an untrue rim however it could be as easy as an unbalanced wheel or worn tire. Good things have been said about this company http://fixrim.com/index.htm They have 3 Texas locations, although if those are replicas you could relace them with new tires for less than $2k.

flynavy987 · 07-30-2005, 02:42 PM

Thanks for the replies gents.

I did have the wheels balanced but no alignment as of yet. Since it was just fine before I attempted to rotate the wheels, I didn't think it was necessary. The tires also have great tread so I think I can rule that out.

I think a 4 wheel replacement with quality stuff might be in order. I'd just hate to get new wheels/tires only to find the problem still exists.

The shimmy is only between 50 and 60 or so. I can tell the frequency becomes too high at greater speeds to be really noticeable.

Thanks again for the continued help.