why doesnt my 185 hr14 fit on the trunk mount?

[jhpcat]

I have a 69 280sl. Just picked up a Uniroyal 185 hr14 tire Rallye "240". I cant for the life of me figure out why it does not fit on my trunk mounting post.  I want an original zize tire in the trunk and thought this was correct, but for not being Continental.  Can anyone shed some light on this for me.  The tire sits about an inch above the post when restin on the fuel tank inlet tube and across the other side the tire rests on the fender wall. I baffled! Not even sure which way is up when trying to load the tire.  it doesnt fit either way. Any thoughts are most appreciated.  JP in Roswell, GA

[Norm]

Try flipping the tire over.  The outside of the wheel faces the floor.

Norm

[jhpcat]

Thanks Norm. I tried that already, but I'll try again later tonight, but I don't like my odds since I flipped it around a few times without anything close to a fit. It's so weird. Stay tuned.

[Norm]

Here are some pictures that may help

Norm

[Tyler S]

Maybe its the photo but that tire looks to be very tall. Does it even fit the car?

[jhpcat]

That's a great question Tyler. I have been hunting for an original Continental 185hr14 to use as a show spare, but they are like hens teeth. So I found this tire as it is a 185hr14, but then the name is Uniryal Rallye 240. Maybe that 240 is the problem. The tire does not sit on the post at all. You have any idea where I might find an old Continental? I will call Uniroyal tomorrow and see what the poop is on the 240 number. Any other ideas???

[Tyler S]

This is the only one ive seen lately. It may clean up nice. Tread looks good. And already mounted.  Will send you a PM.

[66andBlue]

..... Any other ideas???

Incorrect rim? What is the number stamped on the outside? See: https://www.sl113.org/wiki/WheelsTires/Rims

[jhpcat]

Well la di dah!  (and I mean DAH!)  Thanks 66and Blue. The dog gone rim is 14in but thats about all I can tell.  No MB markings on it as best I see.  I pulled one of my correct wheels off the car, verified the 108 0000 02 number, and it fits a whole lot better than the OJ glove I was trying to cram in there.  So now I need to find a 6/69 production date correct rim for my money pit.  But Ill take anything for now, as I know the elusive 6/69 will take time.  Anybody know who might be "the go to" for rims?

[thelews]

http://www.eurocarspartz.com/
eurocars@itis.com

[scoot]

well, 1/70 and 3/69 are both available on ebay.  Is the date code on all 4 of your other wheels actually the same? 

[neelyrc]

  .....So now I need to find a 6/69 production date correct rim for my money pit.  But Ill take anything for now, as I know the elusive 6/69 will take time.

jhpcat, you are right, this could take time.  If you are going to go for an "exact" duplicate there is one additional factor.  Rims for our cars were supplied to MB by three different outside manufacturers.  I understand MB always supplied matched sets on a car.  The name or symbol of the supplier is also stamped on the rim. The suppliers were Sudrad, Kronprinz (KPZ) and Lemmerz (My 1969 has Sudrad). These rims are interchangeable but there are some very slight differences if you look at them side by side. I have attached pictures of a Sudrad and a KPZ below.

 Most ebay vendors will show a photo of the rim they are selling which you can zoom in on to check the stamps.  Wishing you well in your search!

[Pawel66]

Maybe before getting a new rim, you may want to take a look at Tyler's suggestion and check briefly the tire profile height. Normally in the tire size you have e.g. 185/75 R 14. This 75 is the height of the profile of the tire. It is the percentage of width. You can check roughly: 185/75 would mean that profile height should be around 139mm.

Pagoda standard is 80, so profile height should be around 148mm. Is it in your case?

I am reading Michelin developed 185HR14 for, among others, Mercedes 230, 250 and 280. I cannot find information on profile height of those tires. But it says the diameter is 650mm. If you take that and deduct 2,54x14=355,6mm and divide the result by 2, you will get approximte profile height of 147,2mm - which fits.

But yours are not Michelin - are they keeping the profile height you need?

I am by no means advocating Michelin here, I, actually, do not like them, to put it mildly, but talk about them just for this profile comparison.

So a simple check: is the diameter of your wheel at 650mm or significantly higher?

Pawel