Facom
1/2" Drive Socket Set for Mercedes "Flower Head"
Wheel Bolts-17mm (NSB.17 heavy duty + NS.MB-USAG) - the Facom NSB.17 socket
was the original factory tool for safe and effective
removal of the convex ("flower
head") lug bolts on late model Mercedes S-class (W221), GLK-class,
M-class, CL-class and Maybach cars. The socket was included with the factory tool sets
sent to each Maybach dealer. Use of standard 17mm hex impact
sockets will likely damage these costly lug bolts.
I've sold thousands of these
convex sockets (NSB.17) over the years but because of their
thinwall design, they crack relatively easy when used with high
torque impact drivers. Facom/USAG recently introduced a dedicated
socket (NS.MB) for Mercedes bolt applications with thicker walls,
a protective sleeve and tighter fit. Unfortunately, if the
decorative aluminum cover on the wheel bolt is heavily deformed,
the new socket will not fit.
So.........if
you're a dealer or tire center mechanic who sees a lot of these
Mercedes come through their shop, it's not a bad idea to have both
sockets......wheel bolt is NOT included.
- NS.MB - for new and
undamaged bolts. This should be the one used 75% of the
time.
- NSB.17 - for use when
the socket above won't fit (This socket intentionally has
a looser fit (8-9 degrees of play between the bolt and
the socket) compared to the tight fit with a standard hex
socket (3-4 degrees of play). The thin polished aluminum
cover on the Mercedes bolts is easily deformed from the
torque and impact blows during R&R. Once the cover is
deformed, the tighter fitting NS.MB socket will no longer
fit the bolt.)