HOW TO: Fix power steering column that will not move up and down
#51
Newbie
Dark Ops, I too have a 2011 C300 Luxury 4Matic. The tilt feature stopped working, and I purchased a new dog bone only to discover that it has been "upgraded" to the steel flexible "speedometer cable " type. I tried loosening the only 13mm nut, as you suggested, with no success. Seems they're improvement still has the same problem.
The servo motor tries to spin the cable, but just torques the cable a little, and the wheel is still frozen in the up position. In / out still works fine.
Can anyone give me some advice on how to rectify my bus driver steering position.
The servo motor tries to spin the cable, but just torques the cable a little, and the wheel is still frozen in the up position. In / out still works fine.
Can anyone give me some advice on how to rectify my bus driver steering position.
#52
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Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: New Smyrna Beach, Florida
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Mercedes C300 4Matic
DarkOps,
I have just messed up my back, so it will be a few days until I can crawl under the dash again. But, when the motor engages, it tries to twist the cable. The motor end torques (tries to turn) but the geared end refuses to move as if it is locked.
I can't see anything on the other side of the unit that the cable goes into, and I'm not comfortable tearing into the center consul and instrument panel without detailed instructions.
I have just messed up my back, so it will be a few days until I can crawl under the dash again. But, when the motor engages, it tries to twist the cable. The motor end torques (tries to turn) but the geared end refuses to move as if it is locked.
I can't see anything on the other side of the unit that the cable goes into, and I'm not comfortable tearing into the center consul and instrument panel without detailed instructions.
#53
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Join Date: Dec 2015
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Mercedes C300 4Matic
Ghosts
Dark Ops,
My back is still not good, but last night, when I started the car, I thought the wheel move down a fraction of an inch. Tried the stalk, and the wheel move up and down jus like it's supposed too. Not sure the memory option is working. I'll check. More to come.
My back is still not good, but last night, when I started the car, I thought the wheel move down a fraction of an inch. Tried the stalk, and the wheel move up and down jus like it's supposed too. Not sure the memory option is working. I'll check. More to come.
#54
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Mercedes C300 4Matic
Dark Ops,
Memory is working also! Does seem to be a little play after the wheel comes down into place, but I'm satisfied. Don't know if it was the loosening the nut or gremlins...
Memory is working also! Does seem to be a little play after the wheel comes down into place, but I'm satisfied. Don't know if it was the loosening the nut or gremlins...
#55
So I'm finally going to brave myself to attempt to fix this dog bone issue. I'm a noob. I can fix couple of minor stuffs but I don't know whether I'm up to par to do this job. So first problem that I've encountered. How do I remove the A, B and C shown on the picture? I managed to remove the bottom part carpeted area but couldn't continue with the rest. Struggling a bit also with trying to remove the instrument panel. Got the right side of the instrument panel released but the left one is stuck and I'm too afraid to force it. Can someone help with insight on how to remove the A, B and C and are there any other things I need to remove. I wish I can find a youtube version in how to do this. :-) Many thanks in advance..
#56
Tried for 4 hours to get that piece of **** in but no way. I removed one of the two long bolts that hold the assembly but the second screw I believe is pushed in the wrong way from when they build my dash board. See picture.
Can anyone explain how you got that rubber bend to make it go into the second shaft? I think if I bend it too much it will snap in half before it is in again.
Can anyone explain how you got that rubber bend to make it go into the second shaft? I think if I bend it too much it will snap in half before it is in again.
Last edited by Mackhack; 04-26-2016 at 08:01 PM.
#57
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Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Tampa, FL
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2002 SLK 320, 2004 SL 500, 2004 SL600
Tried for 4 hours to get that piece of **** in but no way. I removed one of the two long bolts that hold the assembly but the second screw I believe is pushed in the wrong way from when they build my dash board. See picture.
Can anyone explain how you got that rubber bend to make it go into the second shaft? I think if I bend it too much it will snap in half before it is in again.
Can anyone explain how you got that rubber bend to make it go into the second shaft? I think if I bend it too much it will snap in half before it is in again.
#58
I wiggled the steering wheels so much and that screw is not coming out because it is too long. It hits the aluminum part as seen in the picture. And it won't bend to where it would go to one of the holes where it could slide through. I might cut that bolt and replace it. Still cheaper than going to MB for this 15 minute job as everyone said here.
#59
2009 SLK300 tilt won't work
help - I am new to the forum so hope that I'm doing this correctly. I have a problem with my SLK300 tilt steering wheel. It telescopes fine but the up-and-down tilt doesn't. I have followed the suggestions here and have verified:
1) the white "dog bone" coupling is OK and is not broken - it just doesn't turn.
2) all fuses labeled for steering appear to be OK.
When attempting to raise or lower the wheel there is a very faint clicking noise from behind the driver's side of the console - but no indication that the motor is attempting to turn.
Is this likely to be the motor having given out and failed? It worked fine at the end of the day a few days ago - the next morning - nothing.
Thanks for any assistance.
jrcomer
1) the white "dog bone" coupling is OK and is not broken - it just doesn't turn.
2) all fuses labeled for steering appear to be OK.
When attempting to raise or lower the wheel there is a very faint clicking noise from behind the driver's side of the console - but no indication that the motor is attempting to turn.
Is this likely to be the motor having given out and failed? It worked fine at the end of the day a few days ago - the next morning - nothing.
Thanks for any assistance.
jrcomer
#61
I have removed the panel at the bottom of the steering column. I can see up under the dash to verify that:
1) the telescoping mechanism is working,
2) the white tilt "dog bone" coupling, that everyone talks about, is intact and not broken in half,
3) steering related fuses seem to be OK.
Up-and-down tilt function doesn't work. Doesn't sound like anything is attempting to turn when the tilt lever is used.
Jrcomer
1) the telescoping mechanism is working,
2) the white tilt "dog bone" coupling, that everyone talks about, is intact and not broken in half,
3) steering related fuses seem to be OK.
Up-and-down tilt function doesn't work. Doesn't sound like anything is attempting to turn when the tilt lever is used.
Jrcomer
#63
Does anyone know how to mechanically raise the wheel? I can live for awhile without the ability to raise and lower it via the tilt lever. Locked in it's current position - it's just too low to be comfortable to drive?
jrcomer
jrcomer
#64
Immmmm? I'm pretty new at trying to solve these problems on my own. I don't really follow what you are saying - "Read out steering wheel column control module and/or actuate up/down via SD".
Can you offer more details?
Can you offer more details?
#65
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Join Date: Jul 2013
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89 SL500 Silver ,97 SL500 Carlsson 04 Mercedes SL55 AMG , 07 Mercedes SL55 AMG convertedBlack series
check contact in the fuse box
hi, i lost my tilt function while driving , found out later, was just bad contact in fuse box driver side , not the fuse, the big long contact to that probaly goes in to sam box.
#66
Tommyboy928 -
I removed the cover from the fuse box and visually inspected the fuses that are labeled as being associated with the steering function. I'm not following you and your reference to the "big long contact". Can you elaborate please and I'll go check this.
jrcomer
I removed the cover from the fuse box and visually inspected the fuses that are labeled as being associated with the steering function. I'm not following you and your reference to the "big long contact". Can you elaborate please and I'll go check this.
jrcomer
#70
Machack -
I really hate being a nuance - but I wonder what your earlier advise was - "Read out steering wheel column control module and/or actuate up/down via SD".
Can you please explain further?
I really hate being a nuance - but I wonder what your earlier advise was - "Read out steering wheel column control module and/or actuate up/down via SD".
Can you please explain further?
#71
Get the fault code(s) of your steering wheel column control module read out via SD (Star Diagnosis) and use same tool to see if the steering wheel column can be actuated (meaning moved) up and down with it. That way you can pin point what the problem might be.
Hope that clarifies it for ya.
Hope that clarifies it for ya.
#72
Yes - thanks so much - it does - but puts it out of my league I'm afraid. Unfortunately, don't have such a tool and expect that it's price is prohibitive. Thanks for taking the time to clarify however.
I had an inexpensive tool for my Audi a few years ago (Ross-Tech) - but can't see that there is something equivalent for the MB.
I had an inexpensive tool for my Audi a few years ago (Ross-Tech) - but can't see that there is something equivalent for the MB.
#75
I finally got the coupling collar aka dog bone in. But I had to cut off 2 mm on both ends otherwise it wouldn't have fit without taking the whole dash board apart as this would have been the proper way.
Kudos to the peeps here stating they did it in 5 minutes without altering the length of it is taking screws out of the assembly.
Kudos to the peeps here stating they did it in 5 minutes without altering the length of it is taking screws out of the assembly.