MB280S

Here are some instructions on how to change the trim on an AMG sport steering wheel. I wanted the trim that has an “AMG” badge instead of “Airbag” at the bottom of the steering wheel. This may also help those who are thinking of changing the steering wheel.

Important note: These instructions involve disconnecting the airbag so please follow the instructions carefully or you will end up with an airbag code which means a trip to the dealer to reset it.

Tools:

T20 torx bit + driver
One long thin flat head screwdriver

Step 1: Telescopically extend your steering wheel as much as possible to give yourself plenty of room to work with.

Step 2: Disconnect the negative terminal of battery and place a piece of rag/cloth between the disconnected terminal and battery so there is no accidental reconnection. You don’t want the airbag to go off whilst you are working on the steering wheel. Also, remember not to close the trunk as you will not be able to open it.

MB280S

Step 3: You will need to remove the airbag first. To do this you need to release the catch on each side of the steering wheel behind the airbag. First find the dimple on each side of the back part of the wheel (black arrow). Take the flathead screwdriver and push it thru the dimple. You will find that there is a hidden slit within the dimple that allows the screwdriver to enter the steering wheel. Rotate the screwdriver so that the flathead is now horizontal (instead of vertical) and continue to insert the screwdriver into the steering wheel aiming towards the center of the wheel.

Look at the picture below where the airbag has been removed. You need to follow the direction of the BLUE arrows to release the spring clip (Green circle) that is holding the airbag. If you have done this correctly one side of the airbag will pop out (see multiple black arrows in picture below). Repeat on other side. Be careful not to force it. If you bend the spring your airbag may not sit back properly.

MB280S

Step 4: Disconnect the airbag yellow connector (red circle) to the steering wheel by pinching the 2 small tabs on each side of the connector. Place the airbag in a safe place.

Step 5: Locate the 2 torx screws (arrows) behind the steering wheel towards the bottom and remove with your T20 bit.

Step 6: Locate and remove the 2 torx screws (circled in red) in front of the wheel laterally and near the top. Disconnect the black connector for the multifunction buttons located centrally at the top (red circle) from the wheel.

Step 7: You may now gently pry your trim out of the steering wheel. If you are reusing your multifunction buttons then you will need to remove them from the trim and reinstall them in your new trim.

Note: The big bolt in the centre of the wheel is the one you need to remove if you are going to change the entire steering wheel.

Step 8: To install your new trim just work backwards – redo the 4 torx screws, reconnect the multifunction buttons connector and then the airbag connector. To reinstall the airbag just line it up in the centre of the wheel and with the palms of your hands on each side of the airbag push firmly until you hear a click on each side of the airbag.

Step 9: Reconnect the negative terminal of your battery. Some recommend before you reconnect your battery to put your key to the ON position and turn on your lights. This apparently stops all the current going to your ECU and frying it.

MB280S

My new trim!

JoaoMerc

Noce mod, what's the partnumber?

pcho

Congratulations to a lovely mod.

Thanks MB280S for detail instructions. Still too complicated for me . Thanks also for the link to purchase the last unit on ebay . My unit has been shipped and I will get my dealer to install it.

Just one question, the dimple appears to be sealed and once you push the screw driver through, would you end up with a hole in the plastic or the plastic seals itself back into place after installation?

Perry

SaphGreyC63

Looks good and GREAT write up! Thanks

Roswell

Perry, ur dealership must love u a lot! Lol

Save ur money, and buy my AMG sticker for half the price.. Easiest DIY too! Lol

pcho

Meng,
Yes I could have purchased a sticker. I could have purchased a C class coupe and put an AMG sticker on it too :-)
Perry

ed4

Nice job & thanks for the detailed writeup!

Part number please

Roswell

I can sell u that too.

Sorry OP for my useless posts, the forum sound so serious tonight. Lol

MB280S

This is the only number I found at the back of the trim. Not sure if this is the part number: 307936430S31-AA.

I bought it from ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-W21...-/200849358411

MB280S

You are left with a small mark within the dimple. the slit appears to self-seal.

SaphGreyC63

$300 on EBAY

How much is that sticker......??? lol

Roswell

^^ Yeah, it's an expensive mod in my opinion. Props to you MB280S for convincing Perry to buy it... I tried to convince him for the longest time to buy the H&R springs, but no luck!! LOL

pcho

It is .16666667 % on the price of the car here in Australia and it looks better than the black "Airbag" label on the C63 and all other Class sedan and coupe that has purchased the AMG option

Perry

pcho

MENG! You are one bad man
Perry

MB280S

I know. Very sad isn't it? I m a sucker for anything AMG.

carpenter66c

Excellent post and thanks, I tried the link to ebay but could not find any listings for the emblem. Do you have a more direct link ?

Neil D

I got mine from these guys in the UK.

http://www.cksperformance.com/

They had them listed on eBay UK a while ago but I could not find one on there now.

They were very fast in shipping it from the UK to US by DHL.

Neil D

Here you go!

http://www.cksperformance.com/index....ducts_id=21958

carpenter66c

Thanks so much Neil I really thankyou for your time in posting this for me. This is a excellent site. I also found it on ebay, for those that want the link.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-AMG-Steering-Wheel-insert-W204-C-Class-W212-W207-E-Class-R172-SLK-R231-/400459942197?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5d3d45c935

Faris63

Nice write up and sorry for getting this old thread back lol

MB280S . Did you have access to the paddle shifters when you removed the airbag ? I got Brabus paddle shifters for the CLS and I'm thinking to do this DIY as soon as I get chance to do it

olszowa12

Faris,
you should be able to remove the paddles once you take off the trim.
The paddles are held on only one screw. You also have to unplug the wires from the steering wheel.
It'll take you 2 minutes to replace the paddle shifters with the new Brabus "batman style" ones

Faris63

Thank you so much Matt