Changing instrument bulbs on non-adustable steering car? (98 C230)
 

I did the instrument bulbs myself on the E300, but now the clock light on my 98 C230 is burnt out.

I was at the dealer buying the bulbs, and the service writer mentioned that it is a BIG job to pull the cluster on non-adustable steering wheel cars.

I did find the adjustable steering feature of great help when pulling the cluster on the E300.

Is he right, and do I need to have the dealer do this job? (He said the air bag and steering wheel have to come off, 3.5hrs labour)

Thanks!

Hi John:

This thread http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/33125-speedometer-stuck-0-my-95-c280.html?highlight=sticking+speedometer+needle describes how they were able to get the cluster out without removing the wheel - in this case to fix the speedo paint/needle problem. So maybe it is possible, unless the Canada cars are set up differently. Do you have the manual in/out adjust lever under your steeering column?

Hope all is well,

I don't know how they figure that removing the 2 air bag screws, disconnecting the squib, removing the one bolt that retains the steering wheel, then disconnecting the horn wires and pulling the steering wheel equals 3.5 hours. But that is what i would usually recommend. It may be possible to remove the cluster without taking off the steering wheel, but it's a pretty tight fit and you could damage the steering wheel covering. To do it right,it should be about an hour to do the whole job.
Gilly

Nope. I can't move the wheel up and down. It was optional, and I didn't order it, as the "stock" wheel position is perfect for me. In hindsight, I wish that I had ordered the folding rear seat, but this is the first occasion that I have missed the adjustable wheel.

Gilly:

Thanks! Geez, I went out and had a look. Looks pretty easy to pull the bag/wheel. When I took the steering wheel off our 'ol Mazda, I had to use a steering wheel puller to get the center locking nut off. Do I need the same tool for the C230?

Thanks guys!

Johh:
Nope, remove the big central bolt, remove 2 horn wires and take out of holes in sheetmetal inside of steering wheel, pull wheel off, feeding horn wires and squib through hole in mounting boss. Don't forget where the wires all went. And don't turn on the ignition when the air bag is disconnected or you'll get an SRS light. The central bolt is I believe a 10mm allen, you'll need to use a pretty long ratchet or breaker bar to loosen the bolt.
Gilly

John... I did this awhile back and the big 10mm bolt for the wheel is a PITA!!! Good luck with it... like Gilly said, you'll need a long ratchet or something to get some good leverage.

Good luck

Thanks for your help guys! I've got a nice 10mm Allen socket and a breaker bar, but time is short today, so tommorrow morning is "booked" for cluster bulb replacement.

With the clock/odo/temp gauge lights on all the the time, life sure seems shorter than cluster bulbs of previous generations...

John,

You will also need a #30 torx bit, or a 4mm allen can be used in a pinch, to loosen the air bag bolts. You might have to employ Helen to provide counter force to the wheel when trying to break the large allen retaining bolt, DO NOT try to use the steering wheel lock to hold the wheel while breaking it loose.

I use the 10mm hex socket, with a short extension. This gets the ratchet or breaker right out beyond the wheel rim. Then I come up from under the set up so that I can place the top of my forearm against the business end of the ratchet/breaker, then wrap my hand over to grab the handle end (sound complicated, but I can't think of any way to describe it). This allows my arm to provide a little stablizing resistance. Then using my left hand, I counterhold the wheel and break it loose. About a 5-10 minute job on the 560.