Steering Wheel Upgrade-380SL (126 Wheel) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Strife · #1 01-21-2007, 03:23 PM

I had a leather wrapped, air bag equipped wheel around that I had purchased with the intention of using it as a "core" for refinishing or having it wood-wrapped for my 560SL. It turned out that it was actually a wheel for a 126. I thought about installing it on my 380SL; I think that the wheel that came with 380SL's (and earlier 107's) looks pretty cheezy on what was a very expensive car. I put a wheelskin on it, and it still looked cheezy. So, after reading another post, I put numerous coats of "Kiwi" heel restorer on the leather-wrapped 126 wheel, and it looked like new! I installed it on the 380SL; it has a very slighty smaller diameter, making the gas gauge, the top of the speedometer and odometer unreadable; If you are very tall, this may be a big problem, but I liked it anyway and I'm of average height. So, the wheel was installed but the airbag didn't work, having no connectors or electronics behind it. I bought a wooden burl pad from a private party on eBay. It came with no brackets or anything, just the pad with a rubber mounting ring around the back that didn't fit either the original wheel or the 126 wheel (in fact, the pad didn't fit the original wheel in terms of the size of the pad, either). After considerable fooling around, I figured out a way to mount it while keeping the horn functional. Originally, I had intended to have the pad stationary, and I had mounted a horn switch in the middle, topped with an MB embelem. With considerable fooling around, it is possible to have the pad at a height where the horn still works, and the pad doesn't stick out so far as to leave an ugly gap between the steering wheel and the pad.

So, in conclusion, I think that the wood pad looks nice, but I hope that my nose and/or face never get an up-close view of it. But it can't be any worse than a Nardi, Momo, etc wheel...

GSMITH · #2 01-27-2007, 12:38 PM

I thought to myself when you bought the 380SL as a winter driver "How long will it be before he starts to modify it."

Are you saying that the 85 380SL did not come with an air bag? My 85 500SEL had one in it. I guess at least you do not have to worry about the SRS light.

It is hard to tell from the picture but the wood looks like it does not match. Can you take another wider shot that shows more of the center console wood? The KIWI treatment looks great and if the wood matches in person I would consider doing this myself but I do not want to loose the air bag in my 86 560SL.

Does the smaller diameter wheel make it easier to get in the car?

I hope you never get a close up view either. But it should be no worse than it would be without an air bag.

coleyjf · #3 01-27-2007, 01:37 PM

Hi

I went the other way and fitted a wooden rimmed leather centre wheel ( Mobo) see the pic attached - As I'm tall (6'.4") the smaller wheel ( it's 2 inches smaller than the standard one ) means I can actually see the dials better (And more importantly I can get in the car without twisting anthing!!)

Cheers
Jim

al76slc · #4 01-27-2007, 03:53 PM

Jim,

I think you put it on the wrong side.

coleyjf · #5 01-27-2007, 04:23 PM

That's where I've been going wrong with my driving! I wondered why all the traffic was coming towards me!!

Too much rock and roll www.ba-roque.tk !

Jim

Strife · #6 01-27-2007, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSMITH

I thought to myself when you bought the 380SL as a winter driver "How long will it be before he starts to modify it."

Yeah, I know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSMITH

Are you saying that the 85 380SL did not come with an air bag? My 85 500SEL had one in it. I guess at least you do not have to worry about the SRS light.

My 85 380SL didn't come with an airbag, but some did - it was an option, I think. I really did consider putting in a module, this little plate behind the wheel that contains the contacts for the wheel, and so on (I found the mounting points for the controller box) - but this would take a LOT more guts than I have.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSMITH

It is hard to tell from the picture but the wood looks like it does not match. Can you take another wider shot that shows more of the center console wood? The KIWI treatment looks great and if the wood matches in person I would consider doing this myself but I do not want to loose the air bag in my 86 560SL.

The wood in this particular car was unusually light and very different from my 560's wood. I got a new console, it was much darker (and a lot more like other 107's I've seen) and it DOES match the wheel. The non-matching wood doesn't bother me much (yet...) but I do plan in the future to replace the rest of the wood. I've noticed that photography really brings out differences in wood that looks OK in normal light.

If I had a functional airbag, there would be no way that I would replace it with this. Besides making the car less safe, there might be legal ramifications in the event of a you-know-what.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSMITH

Does the smaller diameter wheel make it easier to get in the car?

I don't have a problem getting in (except for my back, maybe) but I think it would make a difference if you are marginal now.

Roncallo · #7 01-28-2007, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strife

Yeah, I know.

My 85 380SL didn't come with an airbag, but some did - it was an option, I think. I really did consider putting in a module, this little plate behind the wheel that contains the contacts for the wheel, and so on (I found the mounting points for the controller box) - but this would take a LOT more guts than I have.

The wood in this particular car was unusually light and very different from my 560's wood. I got a new console, it was much darker (and a lot more like other 107's I've seen) and it DOES match the wheel. The non-matching wood doesn't bother me much (yet...) but I do plan in the future to replace the rest of the wood. I've noticed that photography really brings out differences in wood that looks OK in normal light.

If I had a functional airbag, there would be no way that I would replace it with this. Besides making the car less safe, there might be legal ramifications in the event of a you-know-what.

I don't have a problem getting in (except for my back, maybe) but I think it would make a difference if you are marginal now.

You know I was just thinking, that if I dident have an airbag and a set of stearing wheel brushes were available to be installed into the car. I would install that brush set and somehow find a way to make a volume control for my radio. Sometimes I feel like removing my airbag just to do that.

John Roncallo

Strife · #8 01-28-2007, 01:10 PM

One of my intentions with this wood pad was to install a battery-powered remote control for an iPod with 5 very discreetly mounted switches on its side, reachable while driving. I have a Becker Europa II radio, very nice, cosmetically perfect, that I intend to install with very small but powerful amps under the back shelf. The radio has been modified so that if you dial or select via pushbutton "88" or below, a microswitch and relay switches the input to the radio's internal amp from the radio to an external source - the iPod. I have a Blaupunkt Monte Carlo in my 560SL with a steering wheel rim mounted remote, I really like it, and it hasn't gone through one battery in more than two years.

GSMITH · #9 01-27-2007, 08:27 PM

Stife, After posting my speaker box I found that there is a big difference on line verse in person. Glad that your match is better in person.

Jim, I have never seen an interior like yours. Besides the two tone material I have never seen a 107 that had the grab handles from the arm rest to the door handle on both sides. I have only seen them on the passenger side and wondered why they were not on both sides.

coleyjf · #10 01-28-2007, 03:54 AM

Must be because it's the UK version!

Jim