86 MB 560SL Steering Coupler

[MUDTEX]

I'm going to replace my steering coupler tomorrow. I've been reading the threads on how to do this. Which way is easier?

1. moving the steering box foward
2. moving the steering shaft up a couple inches

Both don't seem to difficult, just working in small spaces.

Thanks, Keith Davis:

[Richard Wooldridge]

Hi Keith,
I asked the same question a couple weeks ago, and decided to raise the shaft - it was pretty easy and quick to do. I suspect that if you don't have a lift moving the shaft up is the best way to go. I removed the floor mat and put the seat to the extreme rear position, and had enough room to work without a lot of trouble. Make sure you have the right size metric allen or torx wrenches on hand before you start! I trimmed a bit off the short end of my allen wrench to get good clearance when loosening the old screws, but be sure not to trim too much - I ended up trimming two wrenches before I got the optimum length sorted out. Be sure to mark the steering coupler's location on the gearbox shaft before you remove it, as the shaft needs to be put back in the correct location so the turn signal cancel will work right. Replacing the coupler made a huge difference in the way my steering felt!

[MUDTEX]

Richard,

Thanks for the advise and I let you know how it worked out. I already have the steering wheel and instrument panel out due to my odometer gear being out. I'm new to the Mercedes business. I restore early Ford Broncos and have done a couple Jag E types and XK 140s. This is the wifes car and she wants it on the road yesterday with all the nice weather we're having in Texas(300 miles from the fires)

Thanks again, Keith Davis

[Bondavi]

I, too need to replace the coupler in my car. Is there any way I can get away with doing this without removing the steering wheel? Is there an DIY writeup somewhere?

Say I want to remove my steering box to replace a couple washers. Any way to do it without removing the wheel? I say this because my wheel locknut is far locked and will NOT budge. It is an AMG wheel so there's an allen locknut in there which is chewed up so I gave up trying to get it off.

Thanks!