Ok. I had my steering wheel off to see if I could eliminate the grinding noise. Wow was it hard to break lose. I noticed grooves and discolored places in the brass slip rings. Is this a sign it was tightened to tightly at one point or just normal wear. I cleaned and put on some dielectric grease which seemed to make the noise slightly better but still not like I would like. Is the only solution at this juncture to get a new wheel or replace the brass slip ring assembly? I definitely still suspect the rings since they look like they have had some hard core contact.

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My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory

The slip ring assembly is replaceable. The part is approximately $75-80 and isn't terribly difficult to install.

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

I forgot to add that the manual specifically states NOT to use any grease or lube if the "customer" complaint is that the steering wheel squeeks. I don't know if the worry is whether the airbag(s) will fail to deploy in an accident or if the lube may cause an unintentional discharge of the airbag(s).

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

It is the former. MB is concerned the airbag will not deploy if you lubricate the contacts. The tale-tale sign will be that the warning light will blink if you do lubricate indicating that the lubricant is interrupting the constant contact. I have a 420 SEL with 63k miles with the same issue, and have not found a satisfactory solution.

Just a possible idea to try, pending the amount of wear. Back in high school I had an old Yoder I used to run around in, thing had 250K on it, sounded like a chalkboard gone wrong when you turn the wheel. I found the same thing on the horn contacts, scored looking grooves, I dressed the end of the wiper and the rings with crocus cloth, added a very thin layer of dielectric grease, and it was fine since.....until a bad strut grommet put it rubber side up on the freeway a few years later....whoopsie

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Chris
64 190D R.I.P.
80 240D W/617 engine -for sale
82 240D -for sale