Useless tool?

[mdsalemi]

OK, I guess I don't understand the need or purpose for the "wheel alignment tool" as designed. Supposed to be part of a complete tool kit.

I went to use it the other day, and my logic told me screw it into the hub (brake disk), hang the wheel off of it, and then rotate the wheel into position where you can then install the proper wheel mounting studs, remove it and install the final wheel stud.

Wrong.

The diameter of the tool is greater than the diameter of the holes in the wheels for the wheels studs! The only way you can use it is lift the wheel in position, press against the brake caliper, rotate the wheel into position, and then screw it in. If I am doing that I may as well dispense with the tool, and just start with a wheel stud. That tool seems to be of no use.

What am I missing?

[BobH]

That's really strange, although i've never used the tool, as far as i know you remove one bolt, and screw in the alignment tool, so that the disk holes stay lined up with the back plate.  You then remove all of the other bolts and slide the wheel off, hence the holes must be larger than the diameter of the tool.  When you replace the wheel, slide the wheel over the tool and fit the other bolts, and then remove the tool and fit the last bolt

Interestingly, according to the model change list, cars after October 1968 no longer had/needed the tool, and it supposedly wasn't supplied part of the tool kit, but why, what happened in October 68 that the tool was no longer required?

[MikeSimon]

Maybe it is not the correct tool for a MB (Pagoda)?? I made an alignment tool for our Audis by using a shoulder bolt with the correct M14x1.5 threads, cutting the hex head off and cutting a slot in the top. Works like a charm. But in 50 years, if someone takes one of the cars to a car show, the straw-hat/blue blazer crew will deduct points for it not being original.

[lagolag]

I always use this tool to refit my wheels and it works great, your tool must be of wrong dimension. It is extra good help when installing rear wheel as the swingaxel angle the hub to a position that makes it more difficult to fit the wheel and then the support tool is very handy.

[mdsalemi]

OK, so I'm not crazy. Mine is the wrong dimension! My logical plan to use the tool was exactly the way it was supposed to be used! Thank you MikeSimon, lagolag, and BobH.

My tool kit was assembled over the years, with some bits and pieces from a variety of places including some that came with the car. When visiting Seattle some years back, our former member Pete Lange "theengineer" had made a few of these on a lathe and gifted one to me. Somehow it came up missing and a couple of years ago I bought a replacement at Authentic Classics. I had not used or tried to use it until this past weekend.

Think I'll send a brief note to them today. Obviously if it's of the wrong dimension it does not work as intended.

Thanks guys. Thought I was going crazy. (well that still may be, but isn't germane to the tool! )

[BobH]

Does anyone know what changed in October 68, where the tool was no longer supplied, makes no sense?

[rwmastel]

I recall mine being a different shape, but maybe it wasn't original or maybe I'm thinking of a different Benz I have or had.  Something similar to this.  Definitely didn't have a slot in the back.

[badali]

Rodd, The one you show looks like the one that fits my 2019 E450 and most modern MBs

[rwmastel]

OK, then I never had an original style one.  I didn't get any tool kit with my car.

[66andBlue]

Hi Rodd.
This centering pin was never part of the tool kit in the 230SL but was mounted on the left rear trunk panel in early 230SLs and in later ones in a clip on the trunk floor under the spare wheel. Your 1966 should have a clip there.

[mdsalemi]

OK, so I'm not crazy. Mine is the wrong dimension!

WRONG.

Believe it or not, I have three different wheel sizes, though only one set is on the car. The problem is not the tool but different dimensions on the wheel.

On the car is 14 x 6 pressed aluminum wheels.
On the spare is 14 x 5.5 pressed aluminum.
Sitting in my crawlspace is the OEM original 14 x 6 steel.

Would you believe that despite using all the same lug bolts, with the same thread, that the diameter of the mounting holes on the wheels is different? Apparently the steel wheels have a larger diameter hole than the aluminum versions. Not a lot, but enough so the tool won't work on the aluminum wheels.

[rwmastel]

Time to get out the micrometer, document the diameter for each wheel lug hole in a chart with the wheel part numbers, and add to tech manual.