Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: Charles 230SL on June 20, 2016, 16:54:03
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Hello all,
I currently have incorrect wheels on my early 230SL – all five (including the spare) are 108-400-07-02. These were on the car when I bought it and won’t accommodate the correct ‘dog dish’ wheel covers and outer rings.
Bud’s restored my car several years ago but since I was already well over budget with the restoration, I asked that they go ahead and spray/mount the 108 wheels and wheel covers and that I’d pursue the correct wheels at a later date. The wheels and one-piece covers are beautiful - but they’re still incorrect for an early 230.
I’d now like to go ahead and get the right wheels and covers for my car. The correct wheels are 113 400 00 06 (5.5J x 14) but now I’m concerned about going with the 5.5’ narrow wheel.
I know that the #113 400 01 06 wheels are wider (6.0) and will accommodate the correct covers/outer rings, so I’m thinking about going with these rather than the 5.5 narrow wheel.
Are my concerns with the narrow 5.5 wheel unjustified? Has anyone with an early 230 ever had issues with handling and wished they had the wider 6.0 wheels? If I go with the 5.5J wheels will I need a narrower tire?
Thanks in advance for your recommendations, Charles
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I have the original 5.5J and they are just fine. Unless you are planning on putting wider tires and planning on driving it hard, there is no real advantage in having anything but the original.
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Either size is just fine. If you don't care about part numbers, there are W108 wheels that also take dog dish hubcaps. Much easier to find and cheaper.
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Isn't it a matter of finding the studs that attach the centre hubcap/beauty ring? http://www.sl113.org/wiki/WheelsTires/Hubcap
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Some rims have the ability to accommodate the centre cap without the use of the screw-in type lugs.
1084000002 is a 6" rim that takes the two-piece trims.
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Garry/Scoot/Ulf/Stick/, thanks for the quick responses. Based on your comments, and unless they’re cost prohibitive, I’ll pursue the 5.5J x 14H’s. If they’re cost prohibitive, I’ll look for a set of 6J x 14H’s (108 400 00 02).
I’ll inquire about a set 5.5J x 14H’s in the ‘wanted to buy’ section of this forum. thanks, again
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Garry/Scoot/Ulf/Stick/, thanks for the quick responses. Based on your comments, and unless they’re cost prohibitive, I’ll pursue the 5.5J x 14H’s. If they’re cost prohibitive, I’ll look for a set of 6J x 14H’s (108 400 00 02).
I’ll inquire about a set 5.5J x 14H’s in the ‘wanted to buy’ section of this forum. thanks, again
A couple of points to consider:
1. Yes, you can add studs to accommodate a dog dish hubcap, but if the vent holes on the rim are round, rather than slits, the beauty trim ring will not cover them and it will look really strange.
2. Again, unless you are trying to have correct part numbers, there is no advantage of the 5 1/2" rim over the 6" rim. The 5 1/2" rims are not considered "desirable" unless you are trying to make part numbers be correct. And if you are going down that path, you may want to look at the date code that is stamped on the wheel also, something 7/71 for July 1971 production date of wheel.
3. 5.5J x 14H is also used on other cars that don't take dog dish hubcaps - for example W114 and W115 cars often have 5 1/2" rims, but they don't have the studs for the dog dish.
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ok,, thanks Scoot. I didn't even think about having matching Sudrad production dates; they'd all have to be 4/64 or earlier for my car. , chances are slim of finding a set of 5 with close production stamps.
I'll remove my earlier post for the 5.5j's and replace with (WTB) a set of five 108 400 00 02's (6J x 14H). Any ideas where I can get a set? thanks, Charles
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I'll remove my earlier post for the 5.5j's and replace with (WTB) a set of five 108 400 00 02's (6J x 14H). Any ideas where I can get a set? thanks, Charles
The cheap way to get them is to find a W108 (maybe 1969 or earlier) and it will have them. $17 per wheel at the junkyard. The expensive way is ebay. Probably the best way is to post to the forums.
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I just bought a 108 400 00 02 (6J x 14H) steel wheel off eBay and the listing indicated that it came off a 250SL.
After taking a closer look I realized that the wheel had round vent holes rather than slits (huh?). According to the Tech Manual, the 108 400 00 02 wheel was used on all 230SL’s from chassis 14,4364, 250SL's and 280SL's. If that’s the case, then why the round vent holes? Did MB use this same part number for different wheels?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/162082959000?euid=8aa4f45146b14da78a454e4fbfa3422e&bu=43176547427&cp=1&sojTags=bu=bu
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Charles, It appears that the e-bay seller may have gotten his pictures on the listing mixed up with something else.
The 108 400 0002 should not have the round holes. You may want to verify with the seller. His last picture looks like the back side of a 123 400 1302 aluminum rim.
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Tyler, yes I thought about that, but only after I'd already requested a refund (which the seller agreed to). The seller will likely relist it,, meanwhile I'll keep looking for a complete set.