Steering Wheel Removal

[lgriffi]

What is the procedure for removing the steering wheel on a 1993 M-B 300D Turbo Diesel

[Richard Eldridge]

Set the wheels straight and release the steering lock by inserting the ignition key.


According to my Haynes manual, first you remove the airbag.
Then you remove the wheel retaining bolt.
Make some aligning marks so you can put it back on correctly.
Then you tap it with the palm pf your hand and wiggle it from side to side and back and forth and pull it off.

What about the airbag?

Remove the two retsining screws on the rear of the steering wheel. You may rotsate the wheel to gain access to these.

Return the wheel to the straight-ahead position and carefully lift it away, then disconnect the wiring connector from the rear of the unit.

I would disconnect the battery first, to avoid the airbag going BOOM! and scaring the bejesus out of you This would also be scary to replace. There is a footrest panel under the carpet on the passenger side. remove the retaining screws and disconnect the airbag system wiring conector which is red in color.

Store the airbag padded surface up.

Refitting is the reverse of removal, but note the following:
(a) If the contact unit has beemn rotated with the wheel removed, centralise it by pressing down on the contact unit and rotating its center fully anti-clockwise. From this position rotate the center backthrough three complete turns in a clockwise direction.

(b) Coat the steering wheel horn contact ring with a smear of petroleum jelly and refit the wheel, making sure the contact unit wiring is correctly routed. You do want the horn to honk properly, don't you?

Then refit the airbag.

It is always helpful to write down and diagram everything as completely as possible. It is rather boring to do , but can be useful.

If you don't have an airbag, just pry out the star at the scenter of the wheel, amd then unscrew the wheel retaining bolt.

[MikeTangas]

Contrary to Item B previously listed: My MB manual states that on air bag equipped models DO NOT use any lubricating grease on the slip rings.

It is OK to grease non-air bag slip rings, but not the air bag ones. I imagine there is concern of either to bag not going off when it is supposed to or deploy going off unintentionally.

[Bazzman]

Speaking as one one who has hit himself in the face with a steering wheel (twice!) , when you are ready to remove the wheel, I suggest that you refit the nut or bolt a couple of threads.

That way, when you pull really hard, and the wheel doesn't move, you don't almost lose a tooth when it suddenly lets go.

Never done this on my Mercedes but did it on a Mini and on a Triumph. Learnt how to do it after the Triumph.


Hope all goes well.

Barry

E200 Wagon 1994 108k miles.
Plus 10 or 11 Minis, including 1 Cooper and 1 Cooper S, all long gone.

[jcyuhn]

Two more points -

The MB 124 manual requires the connector to the airbag be removed before the airbag is removed from the wheel. Simply disconnecting the battery is not sufficient to insure the airbag does not fire. Remove the front passenger side carpet. Remove the false floor at the front of the passenger footwell. Underneath there is a bright red electrical connector - it's the only red one on the car. Unplug it.

Also, the torx screws which retain the airbag to the wheel are tamper proof. You will need to obtain a set of tamper proof torx drivers to remove it. I have no idea where to acquire such tools - I'd kinda like to have a set myself.

[kanadary]

I spoke with the local MB Service manager yesterday and he told me that the torx head size is #30 and all you need to do is remove the key from the ignition and carefully remove the bag after removing both screws. he said as added safety you could disconnect the wiring but he said he hasn't of anyone setting off the bag when trying to remove it. I am not sure if all MBs use this size screw but its worth a shot. He hadn't heard about a tamper proof screw for this application but said that may be the case with newer cars.
P.S. I tried it last night, no problems but you will need a fairly long torx head screwdriver, i used one from craftsman. Ken

[2phast]

I swapped my OE steering wheel for a CLK55 AMG wheel with no problems. The two bolts holding the airbag in place are indeed a #30 torx, its not a common size so you should go purchase a #30 torx medium length screwdriver. You need to make sure it is not too long, otherwise you will not be able to get it in the opening in the back of the wheel. Another note, using a torx bit in a screw driver that accepts removable bits is not a good idea, as it is too wide to fit in the holes. Also, there not tamper proof, so don't worry about that.

Once you have the two torx screws removed, the airbag comes right out, there is a plug on the back that needs to be removed. Contrary to what some have said, there is no signal at all going to either of these contact wires (with the ignition off) so there is no need to disconnect the battery or anything else.

Once you get the bag removed (remember to unplug the horn wires) there is one fairly large torx nut that needs to be removed so you can pull the wheel, I don't remember the size though. You will also need a breaker bar of sorts to get it loosened, as it is on really tight.

If your going to install a wheel from another MB, you most likely will need to use your OE airbag/horn contact ring and associated wires, which should fit.

View my 190e on my web page to see complete pictures of the install of my CLK55 wheel.

[MikeTangas]

In a pinch, and with extra care, you can also use a 4mm allen socket to loosen the air bag bolts.