FW: [W126 Coupe] Refurbishment of AMG 2-piece wheels

[Sharan Bains]

The link should be :

http://www.printroom.com/ViewAlbum.asp?userid=hakkinen&album_id=191832


>From: "Sharan Bains" <sharanbains@hotmail.com>
>Reply-To: mbcoupes@mbcoupes.com
>To: mbcoupes@mbcoupes.com
>Subject: [W126 Coupe] Refurbishment of AMG 2-piece wheels
>Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2004 14:55:01 +0000
>
>
>
>My AMG 2-piece wheels on my 500E were in need of refurbishment - well not 
>really seriously, but '911 and Porsche World' magazine came round to do a 
>combined article on my 911 Turbo SE flatnose and 500E, and I needed to have 
>the wheels looking perfect.
>
>These wheels can fit the W126 SEC as well - Satish has these same wheels on 
>his 560 SEC,
>
>So I removed the wheels, removed the tyres and split the wheels. These 
>wheels are the SL wheels with the following spec :
>
>fronts : 8.5J x 18 ET 25
>rears : 10J x 18 ET 25
>
>
>According to AMG spec, the outer rim is meant to be polished and the centre 
>pieces powder coated and lacquered. The centre pieces can be color-coded 
>but my 500E is silver, so standard finish is appropriate.
>
>Wheels are made by BBS and designed by AMG. In order to refurb these 
>wheels, they need to be split into their component parts.
>
>The fasteners are a standard 8mm 12-point spline head - and there are 20 
>fasteners on each wheel. So using a 12-point 8mm spline bit with 1/2" 
>drive, I split all four wheels. Took about 60 mins to split all 4 wheels. 
>Four of the fasteners broke (all from the front wheels, which obviously 
>accumulate more brake dust and so fasteners more likely to be seized on 
>front wheels). Now these little fasteners have the words 'BBS' imprinted on 
>the heads and some other numbers to detail the tensile strength of each 
>fastener. Only identical fasteneres should be used as replacement for 
>broken onces, but getting hold of them is difficult. Luckily, my breaker 
>had similar wheels at his yard, which were absolutely mangled, but had the 
>fasteneres in them - I got 20 fasteners as spares for a dollar each. BBS 
>charge approx $10 for 1 fastener........
>
>I then had the centre pieces powder-coated and lacquered by a finishing 
>firm and the outer rims hand-polished by aluminium polishers. The original 
>factory finish is machine polished, but I prefer the hand polished finish - 
>it is smoother and shinier. Infact, it almost looks as thought the outer 
>rim has been chromed. Once this outer rim is polished, it should not be 
>lacquered. Simply polished with Autosol cream once a month.
>
>Once I got the pieces back, I put them back together, and fitted new steel 
>valves. I am running with 245/40 tyres on the fronts and 265/35's on the 
>rear (original AMG spec sheet for these wheels advises 265/35 or 275/35 on 
>the rears) and all tyres have rim protection. Infact, 265 is probably 
>better on the 500E to prevent any chance of rubbing and in any case, 265mm 
>is more than enough for a 10" wheel (254mm), a whole extra 1.1 cm of tyre, 
>so no point in running with extra rubber.
>
>The wheels have been fitted up using 95mm MB wheel bolts, with 40mm shaft 
>and radial seat. These have the benefit that the bolt head sits flush with 
>the wheel surface and looks great. Also fitted original MB (McGard) locking 
>bolts and MB centre caps with chrome star.
>
>Here is a link to the pics - there are other pics from upgrades on my 500E, 
>namely
>
>- fitment of electric steering column
>- fitment of late W140 auto dim mirror with alarm LED's
>- lowering of rear suspension
>- late 1998 W140 walnut/leather steering wheel fitment
>- late W220 walnut/leather gearshift fitment
>
>http://www.printroom.com/ViewAlbum....album_id=191832
>
>Also attached some pics below, hope they come through....
>
>More mods to come soon....
>
>
>talbir
>
>
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