R129 wheel nut problems - help please!!

[sinbaddio]

Hi all,

I have a '93 500SL, currently with my local garage. The car's not moved for 18 months (been outside too). It's in a trusted local garage being recommissioned. The garage is struggling to get the wheels off. The bolts are rusted in, two wheels are off using brute force, the other two the bolts have sheared. Apparently the bolts are too long to drill out, and are tapered, making it impossible to remove them. The car's on original 8 hole alloys, and the garage thinks it's the original bolts.
Any R129 owners out there with similar experiences? Any advice/suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Simon.

[r129sl]

Not the first time this has happened.

They may have to take the stub axle off. Disconnect the brake line. Compress the spring with the correct tool. Unbolt the bottom end of the shock. Unbolt the ball joint. All possible with the car in the air.

[sinbaddio]

r129sl said:

Not the first time this has happened.

They may have to take the stub axle off. Disconnect the brake line. Compress the spring with the correct tool. Unbolt the bottom end of the shock. Unbolt the ball joint. All possible with the car in the air.

Fab, thanks, I'll pass this on. Much appreciated.

[0a]

Is there ANYTHING poster r129sl doesn't know about the r129? Fantastic!

[mickyveloce]

0a said:

Is there ANYTHING poster r129sl doesn't know about the r129? Fantastic!

You're right. I think he's Bruno Sacco himself....

[r129sl]

You have to disconnect the track rod, as well, I forgot. But it is all do-able. However, all you have then is a hub, brake assembly and wheel all stuck together with sheared bolts. But at least you could take it somewhere to drill the bolts out on a bench.

Are the other wheels all off? Because there must be a fairly big risk that it's going to happen again. Merc used long shank wheel bolts on the 126 and 129 models (and some others). They are perfectly fine when used correctly but they do not like being over-tightened (usually with some mega-power air wrench) and then left for years in moist conditions, especially if there is no copper slip on the threads.

There is an old MB Club article about it all here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ybeqr02t8gxenh1/R129%20W...

(I shouldn't really share this but maybe it will encourage people to join the excellent club.)

[sinbaddio]

r129sl said:

You have to disconnect the track rod, as well, I forgot. But it is all do-able. However, all you have then is a hub, brake assembly and wheel all stuck together with sheared bolts. But at least you could take it somewhere to drill the bolts out on a bench.

Are the other wheels all off? Because there must be a fairly big risk that it's going to happen again. Merc used long shank wheel bolts on the 126 and 129 models (and some others). They are perfectly fine when used correctly but they do not like being over-tightened (usually with some mega-power air wrench) and then left for years in moist conditions, especially if there is no copper slip on the threads.

There is an old MB Club article about it all here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ybeqr02t8gxenh1/R129%20W...

(I shouldn't really share this but maybe it will encourage people to join the excellent club.)

Many, many thanks. Greatly appreciated.