Need advice on how to get the steering wheel off my 1980 300D.

From what I have read I need to remove the center logo/emblem
and then the 22mm nut holding wheel.

I cannot see how to get the logo/emblem off without causing damage
to the pad/horn button.

Any advice ?

Thanks.

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80 300D 340K Owned 30 yrs
83 300SD 440K Owned 9 yrs - Daily Driver 150mi/day
02 Z71 Suburban 117,000
15 Toyota Prius 2600 miles
00 Harley Sportster 24k
09 Yamaha R6
03 Ninja 250

It pops out of the steering wheel. You have to poke something around the side of it and pry it out.

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It pops out. You'll need extensions for the 22mm nut, and possibly a breaker bar.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

I find it easier to remove the entire pad with the logo still attached. And you literally almost just grab it someplace and rip it off. It is rather pliable.....

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

A plastic tire lever for a bicycle works very well and won't scratch the surface.

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1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold)
1982 300 TD,166,500 - 226,000 miles
1998 E 320, 120,000 - 144,000 miles
2005 C 230 K, 26,000 - 77,000 miles (sold)

Okay everybody, new question.
Got the emblem out with plastic body tool, plastic tools do save things
from getting damaged.

Thank you.

NEW PROBLEM: I have a 10mm hex allen sitting down in there.

So I figured the 10mm removed a cap, it looks like a cap,
and that the 22mm nut would be under that.

So, I got out the 10mm allen and 3/8 inch drive and cranked , nothing.
Got out the 1/2 inch air powered tool I use for lug nuts, no movement.

Still no luck ???

Before I round this this thing and never get it off,
please tell me what to do.

I tried a breaker bar, then I tried clockwise thinking for some absurd reason it was left-hand thread.

All the while being careful not to put pressure on the steering lock pin
that comes from the key mechanism.

What is the secret to getting the 10mm cap off ?

I even tried a little WD40 in the threads.
It is assumed that this has never been removed.
I have owned the car 26 of its 30 years.

Please advise.

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80 300D 340K Owned 30 yrs
83 300SD 440K Owned 9 yrs - Daily Driver 150mi/day
02 Z71 Suburban 117,000
15 Toyota Prius 2600 miles
00 Harley Sportster 24k
09 Yamaha R6
03 Ninja 250

Chassis and body manual Volume 1: section 46-610 Removing steering wheel.

FYI, after 1979 on version 2 do not remove horn pad, remove only the center emblem.

Also on version 2, use 10mm hex drive and remove . Supposed to be torqued to 80nm.

Feels like more than 80nm.

Hard to believe.

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80 300D 340K Owned 30 yrs
83 300SD 440K Owned 9 yrs - Daily Driver 150mi/day
02 Z71 Suburban 117,000
15 Toyota Prius 2600 miles
00 Harley Sportster 24k
09 Yamaha R6
03 Ninja 250

I was thinking that there was a 10mm allen bolt and not a 22mm bolt. Both the steering wheels I've taken off have had a 10mm bolt. The only suggestion I can give would be to have someone in the car holding the steering wheel in place and another person on the breaker bar. They are on there TIGHT. You might try a little penetrating oil.

I don't understand why they need to be so tight. It's a splined connection and good and tight should be plenty I would think.

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Okay, armed with this knowledge and confidence I got it to come off.

Breaker bar, 3 inch extension, 10mm hex.

Lots of arm. Looks like lock tite blue on the threads.

Put on new wood steering wheel and all is well.



THANK YOU AGAIN.

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80 300D 340K Owned 30 yrs
83 300SD 440K Owned 9 yrs - Daily Driver 150mi/day
02 Z71 Suburban 117,000
15 Toyota Prius 2600 miles
00 Harley Sportster 24k
09 Yamaha R6
03 Ninja 250

Yeah!!

Of course we will need pics of the new wood steering wheel.

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