1991 500SL Tilt Steering problem
 

I have a 91 500SL with electric tilt and telescoping steering. I have a nylon gear that is stripped in the tilt mechanism. Mercedes Benz has been no help whatsoever helping me find a replacement gear. All they can tell me is that I'll have to replace the entire steering column at a cost of $1800.00 for a new column. That's all they can tell me and that includes phone calls to the plant in Germany. I can find steering columns in wrecking yards, but the least cost has been $250.00. No wrecking yard that I have contacted will remove the tilt steering mechanism and sell it separately. Does anyone out there know if any other car uses the same mechanism??? Or does anyone know who manufactures the mechanism???? The gear is about the size of a quarter, and is easily replaceable. If I can find the answer to either of these questions, I would appreciate it greatly!!!! Or any other fix that you may come up with. Many thanks, George

tilt steering gear stripper
 

You CAN that the gear out, together with its matching mate, take them to a machine shop with gear cutting equipment and have them make you new gears. Shouldn't cost more than $3 K. $250 for a used column is a great deal