190e horn contact squeak? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

haasman · #1 04-26-2003, 02:43 AM

The '87 190e steering wheel sounds like it has a horn contact squeak. I hear the creak, creak creak each time turning the wheel.

I read where because of the steering wheel air bag the horn contact ring is not supposed to be lubed ...

Is replacing the horn contact the only way to eliminate the squeak?

Haasman

mbdad · #2 04-27-2003, 12:13 AM

haasman-
I had the same annoying problem on my 190e. Turned out to be contact between the plastic of the steering wheel cover and the steering column cover.
Try this-
At the point where the steering wheel cover ends (right before the cruise control and turn signal stalks), pull up on the plastic (at the top) and then turn the steering wheel. If the sound is gone,
slide a small wedge to raise the plastic enough so that there is no more contact.
I hope this works for you - I owe you for your past help!

haasman · #3 04-27-2003, 12:47 AM

mbdad

Good one. I will try it and report back.

Thanks,

Haasman

ktlimq · #4 12-08-2004, 04:15 PM

My 1992 300D has squeak too. Especially when it is humid, for example, on rainy day.

A dealer inspected this and suggested replacing airbag unit at $1400.
I did not do that.

I think there is a way to replace only contact area without replacing the whole airbag unit.

My squeak is intermittant now. If I repair the squeak now instead of waiting until it always squeaks, do I save money?

By the way, I have a feeling that the service advisor did not communicate well with the mechanic.

I asked him about airbag sticker on B pillar, which suggested airbag replacedment in 1991. I asked him whether the previous owner already replaced the airbag unit in 1991. When I went to dealer to picked up my car, the service advisor said, "we cannot remove the airbag sticker." Ooops, I did not request removal of the sticker! I asked my question again. Then he answered "there is no way to tell whether someone replaced the airbag previously. If you want, we can put new airbag. New airbag does not squeak."

I called FOR-MERC, and the tech's answer was different. The mechanic can tell when the airbag is replaced. He remove the steering wheel, see the airbag unit and find numbers written. He can figure out, when it was replaced.
Hmm, the dealer's mechanic removed the steering, but lost the opportunity to see the numbers due to poor communication skill of the service advisor.

haasman · #5 12-08-2004, 07:21 PM

You are on to it .... horn contact ring and also the contacts themselves .... I replaced both and the horrible sqeak went away .....

Depending on the year and model, the ring is a replacement piece. I found a used steering wheel (leather) that was in great condition and had a decent ring for less than the cost of a new ring so I bought it.

Geesh ..... "replace it and the airbag won't squeak" ...... weird.

Haasman

newkid · #6 12-08-2004, 09:21 PM

I do not have squeak. Whenever I turn, it seems something came loose in side the steering wheel making the noise. I am going to open the steering wheel cover and have a good look inside. By the way, the airbag sticker suggests the replacement in 2004. My car is 1989, how often should we change airbag?

mpolli · #7 12-09-2004, 01:22 PM

Well it seems we have kind of 2 different themes here: As far as air bags, on my 98 built in June the sticker says to replace the airbags in June 2013 so that's 15 years exactly. Not sure if the 89's were rated for the same life span. All airbags should have a date code on them so you can tell how old they are. I think even seat belt assemblies have date codes on them (many parts do actually).

As far a squeaky steering wheel my car has a similar sound once in a while. Some times when I steer right the wheel starts to have a "chirping" or cricket sound. It has been colder lately so not sure if it is temp related. Doesn't seem to occur when I steer left. I was thinking maybe the electrical contact also.

Mike