If you change your wheels yourself, you can save a lot of money. And it’s easier than you think. We show you what to look out for.
It must be done twice a year: changing the wheels. However, that is still a pricey joke, a tire dealer charges an amount between 30 and 80 euros. However, people who are somewhat handy can easily do this themselves and keep their money in their pocket.
However, there are a number of things to keep in mind – and that starts with choosing the place where you are going to perform the switch. Choose a spot that is not directly next to the street, with an even surface, preferably concrete or asphalt. Then plan enough time for a tire change, rushing can lead to dangerous situations. When changing, follow the instructions in the instruction booklet, here you will also find the torque with which to tighten the bolts. For most models, this is 120 Nm. In the Mercedes-Benz C-class we used for this test, that is 130 Nm.
When switching from steel wheels to alloy wheels, keep an eye on the length of the bolts. With alloy wheels, they are often longer. If you screw in the bolts of the steel wheels, they only tighten in a part of the wheel hub, with all the associated risks. After the change, take a longer test drive that also includes a piece of provincial road. If vibrations occur in the steering wheel or when braking, it is absolutely important to still go to the garage or the tire center. Often such vibrations are the result of balancing weights that have fallen off a wheel, but they can also have other causes. Then it is important to have the wheels checked on the alignment machine. Important: After 50 kilometers of driving, check that the bolts are still tight with a torque wrench.
This is how you replace the wheels
1. Tools
You need a spanner, a jack and a torque wrench to change the wheels.
2. Parking brake
Put the car on the parking brake (or, as in this Mercedes, on the parking brake) to prevent it from rolling away. The surface must be smooth and firm.
3. Bolts
Are the bolts too tight or have they not been loosened for a long time? Then you can often only get them with a sturdy kick against the cross key.
4. Jack
If you do not have the original jack of the car, it is important to find a stable surface for the jack.
5. Remove the wheel
Now unscrew the bolts completely. Note, the wheel may fall towards you when you take it off.
6. Screw on
Partially tighten the bolts with the cross wrench, then the specified torque with a torque wrench.
You should pay attention to this
1. Tire check
With the disassembled wheel, you can check the flanks on the inside and the tread for any damage.
2. Profile
The recess represents the statutory minimum tread depth of 1.6 millimeters. With summer tires, however, it is advisable for your own safety to use a minimum depth of 3 millimeters.
3. The age of the tire
This tire was produced in the 16th week of 2016. After eight to ten years at the latest, it is important to have the tires replaced.
4. Suspension
Is the brake hose in the holder? Is the shock absorber dried out?
5. Brake pads
In this case, the brake pads still have a thickness of five millimeters. The rule of thumb for replacement is a thickness of three millimeters.
6. Wheel hub
If the wheel is not tight against the wheel hub, you will get an imbalance. Clean the surface of dirt and rust deposits.