- Joined
- Sep 16, 2004
- Messages
- 1,145
- Location
- Leven, Fife / Northampton
- Car
- 2006 320 CDI Avantgarde . 1997 312d Sprinter
Hi,
The saga begins. Last November time the security wheel bolt key broke whilst I was getting my winter tyres fitted. I went down MB at Northampton and they ordered me a new key @ about an eye watering £35.00. I had pondered just to get the security bolts removed and fit normal bolts as it may have been a cheaper option.
Last June, I had EMS / ABS warning messages on the dash, which related to either a faulty wheel sensor , hopefully or a reluctor ring gone.
Because I have difficulty kneeling, I took the car to get the sensor cable replaced, but the new security key was damaged, presumably by the garage that did the MOT repairs Earlier in June. ( Some new brake pipes). I had not paid too much attention to the new wheel nut remover, but in the cold light of day, this item was made in the USA, and the steel did not look very strong. As I wanted to get the job done as the warning message was beginning to p*ss me off, I phoned MB Newcastle, as they post out parts, and the helpful chap there managed to source one from Sunderland and posted it off to me. Another £35.00. I had told the man at MB Newcastle that I already had a broken "Made in USA" one, and asked for a German one, but no dice, the replacements were all USA made, and he did say not to use a windy gun as they were not the same quality as the old original German ones.
New Key arrived, I put it on my big Torque wrench and tried it on the security bolt, and it stripped straight away, such crap steel. I have been selling tools for 35 years and can recognise rubbish steel. When I have a spare 5 mins I will try the grinding test to assess the steel quality.
In the end, I capitulated, ordered some wheel bolts off of Ebay, (same size as an A class ), and got the local tyre place to remove the security bolts. They did say they were tight, but then what is the point of loose wheel bolts.
A few days later, I had them fit the new wheel speed sensor, which turned out to be the Reluctor Ring broken, so had a new one of those fitted.
Just this week, I went to MB Northampton to order some hand brake cables, and related my tale of woe with the wheel bolt keys and asked if I should return them to Milton Keynes as " not fit for purpose ".
They said I was wasting my time as the security bolts were obviously too tight, ( which they were ) and said that Milton Keynes will say that the security bolts should be removed and torqued up to the correct spec from time to time. As if !!
Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained so my next job will be to send photos and a suitable letter to MB at Milton Keynes, about their crap USA steel parts.
On the positive side, the new handbrake cables look really " meaty " and I will get them fitted next week when I head back up to Scotland. The old ones are original, so have done well to last for 16 years.
Not only but also, some b*stard stole my nice new Bosch wiper blades off of the car. Such a desirable area I live in !. As a stop gap, as it was raining, I had to fit some "cheapies " to get me by, but they squeak and squeak, so more expense for some new Bosch blades.
To offset the expense, I did manage to create a new metal piece that sits under the rear wiper on the tailgate out of some scrap " Alooominum ", sprayed it black, and quite looks the " dogs". Not that my dog has any !.
Life's saga goes on.
Steve
The saga begins. Last November time the security wheel bolt key broke whilst I was getting my winter tyres fitted. I went down MB at Northampton and they ordered me a new key @ about an eye watering £35.00. I had pondered just to get the security bolts removed and fit normal bolts as it may have been a cheaper option.
Last June, I had EMS / ABS warning messages on the dash, which related to either a faulty wheel sensor , hopefully or a reluctor ring gone.
Because I have difficulty kneeling, I took the car to get the sensor cable replaced, but the new security key was damaged, presumably by the garage that did the MOT repairs Earlier in June. ( Some new brake pipes). I had not paid too much attention to the new wheel nut remover, but in the cold light of day, this item was made in the USA, and the steel did not look very strong. As I wanted to get the job done as the warning message was beginning to p*ss me off, I phoned MB Newcastle, as they post out parts, and the helpful chap there managed to source one from Sunderland and posted it off to me. Another £35.00. I had told the man at MB Newcastle that I already had a broken "Made in USA" one, and asked for a German one, but no dice, the replacements were all USA made, and he did say not to use a windy gun as they were not the same quality as the old original German ones.
New Key arrived, I put it on my big Torque wrench and tried it on the security bolt, and it stripped straight away, such crap steel. I have been selling tools for 35 years and can recognise rubbish steel. When I have a spare 5 mins I will try the grinding test to assess the steel quality.
In the end, I capitulated, ordered some wheel bolts off of Ebay, (same size as an A class ), and got the local tyre place to remove the security bolts. They did say they were tight, but then what is the point of loose wheel bolts.
A few days later, I had them fit the new wheel speed sensor, which turned out to be the Reluctor Ring broken, so had a new one of those fitted.
Just this week, I went to MB Northampton to order some hand brake cables, and related my tale of woe with the wheel bolt keys and asked if I should return them to Milton Keynes as " not fit for purpose ".
They said I was wasting my time as the security bolts were obviously too tight, ( which they were ) and said that Milton Keynes will say that the security bolts should be removed and torqued up to the correct spec from time to time. As if !!
Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained so my next job will be to send photos and a suitable letter to MB at Milton Keynes, about their crap USA steel parts.
On the positive side, the new handbrake cables look really " meaty " and I will get them fitted next week when I head back up to Scotland. The old ones are original, so have done well to last for 16 years.
Not only but also, some b*stard stole my nice new Bosch wiper blades off of the car. Such a desirable area I live in !. As a stop gap, as it was raining, I had to fit some "cheapies " to get me by, but they squeak and squeak, so more expense for some new Bosch blades.
To offset the expense, I did manage to create a new metal piece that sits under the rear wiper on the tailgate out of some scrap " Alooominum ", sprayed it black, and quite looks the " dogs". Not that my dog has any !.
Life's saga goes on.
Steve
