What is this? Once the steering wheel was removed, this came spiraling out at me. What is it?

Forgot pic!

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That's the "clock spring". It replaces the slip rings that were used in earlier models. It is the electrical connection for the horn and airbag but it doesn't normally fall apart when you take the steering wheel off.

Well, it sure enough did. LOL. Solution?

Solution is you get to buy a new one. Once they are broken open like this, they are not repairable.

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1998 E300 turbodiesel

America's Rights and Freedoms Are Not The Enemy!

Yeah, usually they don't do that. But judging by the condition of that steering wheel, I'm not surprised.

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'80 300SD - '83 240D - '00 E55 AMG - '02 G500

That little part ain’t cheap!!! $118

I had one of these unravel on my BMW Z3.

I was able to wind it back up and reuse it.

If you're old enough to remember 8 track tapes.....
You use the same concept, leave a lot of slack when you wind it up.

It's literally like a clock spring. As you turn the wheel one way, it tightens the spool of wire. Turning the wheel the other way makes it open up.

Thats why you need to build in slack when you spool the wire up.

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

I was actually able to use the one from my w140 300SD parts car. Direct replacement. Works like a charm! Thanks again!