W124 wheel bolts?

[quenching]

Went to get new tyres today and the fitter told me that 2 of the bolts on on one of the wheels wouldn't tighten as they'd been stripped, probably by a previous fitter with an over zealous air gun. He says the bolts are made of a softer metal than the wheel hub so that they strip before the thread on the hub - its cheaper to get new bolts than a hub!

Does this sound like a reasonable theory? Anyone have any spare wheel bolts, or point me in the right direction, for a car and wheels exactly like this one...

 

[vaux27]

if yours has alloys, drop me an email to [email protected] i have some bolts

 

[PhilJ]

Reasonable yes, but the thread on the hub could still be damaged, try running a tap down it.

 

[jaymanek]

Definately run a tap down it, you need to clean the threads otherwise it will ruin more bolts and end up damaging the hub.

 

[quenching]

Thanks to all for the advice, and the offer is much appreciated vaux27, however I'm off to MB tomorrow for some paint and they have the bolts ex stock cheaply, I'd kind of like my wheel held on properly as soon as possible so I'll stump up the cash!

 

[grober]

Thanks to all for the advice, and the offer is much appreciated vaux27, however I'm off to MB tomorrow for some paint and they have the bolts ex stock cheaply, I'd kind of like my wheel held on properly as soon as possible so I'll stump up the cash!

Remember that the bolts for Mercedes alloy wheels are longer than the bolts for steel wheels. I mention this since if your spare wheel is steel you should have 5 shorter bolts for it. If you fit a steel wheel on the rear axle with the longer bolts[for alloys] you run the risk of locking up the rear hub and causing a lot of damage to the transmission.

 

[quenching]

I do indeed have a steel spare, but also a set of shorter bolts to go with it. An easy mistake to make I'm sure but the previous owner pointed this out to me.