190E: Lube steering wheel contacts? Airbag needs to be removed? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

haasman · #1 04-16-2003, 05:19 PM

The horn contacts make a creaking/sqeaking sound when turning the steering wheel. Can I lube the contact ring using a spray and a snorkle or should I remove the airbag?

I did several searches regarding this, some indicating pulling the red connector under the passenger floor boards, while others saying it isn't necssary.

Please advise,

Haasman

MikeTangas · #2 04-16-2003, 09:08 PM

The shop manual is very clear on this subject: If the car is equipped with air bags DO NOT lubricate the slip rings.

Apparently this could cause the air bag to not deploy when needed or possibly cause an errant deployment (although MB is not known for errant deployment).

haasman · #3 04-17-2003, 02:07 AM

Thanks Mike,

I saw your posting regarding not lubricating the horn ring with airbag equipped cars..... but any suggestions on how to eliminate the squeaking when turning the steering wheel? Does the horn ring contact need to be replaced?

Haasman

richard28 · #4 05-03-2003, 09:11 PM

Sorry to jump in, but does anyone know what to do to remove the steering wheel after the airbag has been removed? I'm looking at the hole in the middle, I put a 10mm hex into it & turned counterclockwise & nothing happened. Instead of turning do I pry this nut-type thing out, & if so what should I use to do this? Sorry, i have an 87 300e & I want to clean the airbag contacts to stop the SRS light from flashing. Thanks.

MikeTangas · #5 05-05-2003, 01:32 AM

Using the 10mm allen, you turn that bolt counterclockwise. They are tight.

DO NOT use the steering wheel lock to hold the wheel against the force of turning the bolt, try using a helper to hold the wheel while you turn the bolt. They are a bear to turn, but once you break it free, it's a snap.

haasman · #6 05-05-2003, 02:25 AM

Back to the original question: Does the horn ring contact need to be replaced?

Haasman

richard28 · #7 05-05-2003, 10:36 AM

I did this job this weekend, and I cleaned the contact rings first with a paper towel to remove the surface gunk & then rubbed with a pencil eraser & then with q-tips tipped generously in alcohol. I also cleaned the four rectangular copper pieces & wiped & qtipped all the protruding contacts on the steering column to get them clean. Everything worked fine. BTW, before I did this my horn had not sounded right so I also adjusted/loosened the screws (30 torx) holding down the two long grey push-bars on the sides of the steering wheel, which were too tight The horn sounded just fine when I was done & the flickering SRS light was no more. My thanks again to Mike & the other forum participants for their helpful posts from last year.
BTW, to loosen the hex nut I got a long 10mm hex key from Sears ($4.20) & used the 5-inch hollow tire lug-nut extension bar which is in the MB supplied red tool pouch.

haasman · #8 05-05-2003, 10:54 AM

richard28

Thanks for your posts. Does the airbag need to be disconnected under the passenger side floor? I have never done this before. Your tips are appreciated.

Haasman

richard28 · #9 05-05-2003, 11:03 AM

I didn't know about this, so I didn't do it.

glenmore · #10 05-05-2003, 11:43 AM

I have been into my steering column (1991 300CE) more times than I can count trying to eliminate a flashing SRS light. Here are a few things:

The 10mm bolt has (blue) Loctite on it so it takes some effort to break the it free. As Mike mentioned, do not torque against the steering wheel lock.

Before pulling the steering wheel note the pencil mark on the steering wheel versus the mark on the splined column.

Hassman, maybe just a cleaning will solve your squeaking. Clean or replace the spring loaded horn contacts, cheap ($5). Clean or replace the horn slip ring ($80). Clean or replace the SRS contact ($35). Cheap part but you have to go deeper into the steering column and the lower dash has to come out.

haasman · #11 05-05-2003, 11:48 AM

>> Does the airbag need to be disconnected under the passenger side floor? <<

glenmore · #12 05-05-2003, 12:26 PM

Hassman,

When reseaching the problem for my car (1991 300CE) I did come across that posting as well as others. I opted to just unhook the battery, wait a 1/2 hour....and cross my fingers.

glenmore