Will the steering wheel from a 380 SL fit a 450 SL?

[Tims450SL]

Any experience with the steering wheel exchange? I am getting a non air bag wheel from a 380 SL. Thanks!

[Nascar Fan]

You need to make sure that they both are help on with an allen bolt or a nut. Wheels held with a nut are smaller spline than the ones held on with the allen bolt. Both allen, OK. Both nut, OK.
One allen, one nut, NOT OK.

[Tims450SL]

thanks! you are the best thank you for the insight.

[meltedpanda]

Originally Posted by Nascar Fan

You need to make sure that they both are help on with an allen bolt or a nut. Wheels held with a nut are smaller spline than the ones held on with the allen bolt. Both allen, OK. Both nut, OK.
One allen, one nut, NOT OK.

I was under the impression that the treads are the same, I have not heard of different splines on the same model cars W107 to W107

[ScottinSoCal]

Originally Posted by meltedpanda

I was under the impression that the treads are the same

MB changed the mounting technique at some point during the production of the 380SL model. All 450SLs use the same method, and some 380SLs use the same method as the 450SL. Later 380SLs use the same method as the 560SL. The steering wheels aren't interchangeable.

[meltedpanda]

so can we deduct from that , the nuts and allens will not interchange, or do you just have to try them?
Do anyone know the specific time frame they changed?

[nobby]

Originally Posted by meltedpanda

so can we deduct from that , the nuts and allens will not interchange, or do you just have to try them?

They are two different animals. One is a nut and one is a bolt with a tapered head that needs an allen key. Nascar and Scott know of what they speak.

[abe g]

What year 450 sl are we talking about? I have an original black leatherette steering wheel for a 1977 450 sl It is in excellent shape. Uses nut (not allen key) if interested, I will give you part number . aggreen4@yahoo.com. Regards,be G

[Tims450SL]

sure what is it? In good condition? I have the bolt not the allen wrench.

[Gurunutkins]

I have to chime in with my 2 cent worth here. I have a 1974 450sl and a 73 euro 350sl. both have the same spline set up, the hole is just over 15mm and both are held on with a nut. I also have a 76 450sl that has a 21 mm splined hole also held on with a nut. at some point after 76 (I dont have a later car!) they changed to the same 21mm splined hole with an allen bolt hoding it in with the thread down the center of the steering column splined section.

I know as I thought the ones held on by nuts were all the same so measured the 76, bought the hub adaptor and found it was 6 mm too big for my 74. so sometime between 74 and 76 they actually changed to slightly larger columns.

hope that may be of some help
cheers
Barri

[joedee]

Hi guys,

Just a tid bit; I have 75 450sl and used a MOMO 6001 hub adapter which fit the splined steering wheel shaft and accepted a 15" wood wheel. Grant makes a nice wheel along with many other venders. Hope this helps someone.

Joe in Maryland (trying to move to Florida)

[Tims450SL]

what is the Grant wheel like? I would love to get a Nardi, but that will lead to my life in the back yard....

[danwashuk]

I just put a Nardi classic wheel on my "74 SL. I agree that the splines were 15 mm on my car. I purchased a hub adapter for the wheel and found that it brings the steering wheel about one inch closer to the dash board. I had hoped that the wheel would be a little closer to the driver. I also bought a Nardi horn button for the wheel. It didn't fit very well, it was just loose. I wound up using some washers to shim the wheel away from the hub about 2 mm. Then when I snapped the horn button on it fit snugly. I was never able to find a company that would supply these parts and also provide some help with the correct sizing.............Dan

[joedee]

Tim,

Found a nice new cheery wood wheel on E-bay for $50 with horn unit.

Go to Google and poke in "steering wheels" and you will find a host of them.

Also "Grant.com / Nardi.com". Also try E-bay.

Joe R.