Wheels bolt? Which one ?

[Olivier]

Hello,
Anyone can see from those pictures which bolts I should have on my wheels and what are they called? Radius or something?
Thank you.
First picture is the spare wheel bolt on the left beside the one on my wheels now, but it seems from the other picture that I might need to get the bolts from the left?
Thank you.
Olivier

 

[Will]

The ones on the left look like O.E bolts for use with steel wheels (short thread, radiused seat).

The ones on the right look like copy/aftermarket bolts, they have a conical seat which is incorrect for most MB wheels AFAIK.

If you're fitting/using standard MB alloys you need radiused bolts with the correct thread length. Should be able to pick a full set up for about £20.00 or less on eBay or similar.

Will

 

[Olivier]

Hi Will,
My wheels are not MB but I think genuine "copy" as the inside is 66. something and it look like the bolts I have on are not the proper one? The picture of the "seat" hole look more as you said radius seat.
Look like I need a set od bolt now.
Before I do anything, is this 100 % not the good boltd on the right compare to the "seat" from the pictured wheel?
Thank you.
Olivier
Thank you.

 

[Will]

Hi Olivier,

The bolts you need would depend upon the type of wheel that you intend to fit.

Standard/correct MB wheels use radiused seats, and hence they use radiused bolts.

Copy wheels - who knows!?

You'd need to look at the bolt holes on your wheels to be sure

The standard MB wheel bolts look a bit like this:-

Will

 

[Olivier]

Cheers Will,
The hole that I am showing are from my wheels. I know its not great as a picture, but from there anyone seen if its a radius?
I think I have the wrong bolts ( the one on the right).
Cheers.
Olivier

 

[Will]

Hi again,

Oh yes. It's a little tricky to see, but my guess is that they are radiused and the bolts could be wrong. It looks as though there's a silvery/clean 'ring' around the top of the seat, which could indicate that the bolt isn't seating properly, and scrubbing/wearing on that point?

A bit difficult to say from a photo, but my guess is that they are wrong.

Will

 

[Olivier]

Hi will,
Thank you.
This is what I thought too. When you look at the bolt on the right it look like its not seating properly as there is only the middle section making contact.
Need some bolts. Just a loud thought, why do you spend so much on nice wheels and not getting the bolts right... This is silly. ( the car came like this I need to say, it wasn't me )
Thank you.
Happy weekend.
Olivier

 

[Number_Cruncher]

If you can feel the area on the wheel where the bolt seats with your finger tip, you should be able to feel if the wheel has a corresponding radius - if so, you've got the wrong bolts.

If on the other hand you just see or feel a standard taper, you've got the right bolts.

Actually, looking at the contact pattern on your tapered bolt, it looks to be making proper contact - I would be surprised if it's the wrong bolt.

Exactly why Mercedes make their radius wheel bolts in this deviant and expensive way is something I don't really understand.

 

[Olivier]

Hi NC,
Is that a proper seat? Trully asking as if it is the will save me.
Thank you.
Olivier

 

[Number_Cruncher]

Check the seat in the wheel to see if it's a radius or a straight taper - that will give you some direct evidence which is always better than attempting to interpret the photos.

 

[Olivier]

OK, we are not going anywhere here. As I don't know what a radius or straight taper look like and this is why I posted this.
I go to MB tomorrow and they'll tell me what wheels taper I have.
Cheers.
Olivier

 

[franey]

Olivier is there a part number on the inside of the wheel?

PM your VIN again and I will find the right ones for you.

B

 

[Olivier]

Hiya,
My wheels are not MB and there is no parts numbers, there is a wee stamp like the PI number on the side.
Actually, going to take a picture now.
They are really good wheel, well made.
Thank you Franey

 

[Olivier]

Here is my mark.

 

[Number_Cruncher]

>>As I don't know what a radius or straight taper look like and this is why I posted this.

Sorry Oliver, I didn't realise.

Imagine for each of your two bolts the "negative" feature that would be machined in the wheel which would match and fit the sdhape on the bolt.

For the radiused bolt, you would see or feel a part of a sphere, and for the straight tapered bolt, you would feel the inside of a conical shape.

 

[Olivier]

Then I think I have radius.

 

[franey]

The radius one in your photo looks a bit short for an alloy, the right hand one however looks better for length.
How much of the short one protrudes through the wheel? .........and the longer one?

 

[Olivier]

Hi franey,
The left one is too short indeeed, its for the spare wheel but its the type I think I should have, longer tho,
the right one are the right lengh, BUT I think they are not the right type for the wheels as I think my wheels need radius bolts...
Cheers.
Olivier

 

[Number_Cruncher]

Then I think I have radius.

There's another way to check;

If you mark some lines on the radiussed part of a radius bolt with a pencil, and then press it into the wheel's bolt hole and turn it, you'll be able to see where the pencil is rubbed off by the contact.

If you find only a very thin line of pencil is rubbed off, then you need to check again.

 

[Olivier]

Hi NC,
This is what I show on the picture and that I mark in red, it look like the bold is not seating properly in? As the mak between the 2 red line is just in the middle...
Night night to all for now.
Olivier