- Mercedes-Benz C-Class: How to Remove Steering Wheel
Step by step instructions for do-it-yourself repairs
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DIY - FL steering wheel swap
I'm have been holding off doing this mod because I'm not too clear on what has to be changed or not. Additionally I'm now even more reluctant to proceed as my car has now developed an electrical issue where the Command system turns on / off all by itself as I drive. It's driving me nuts. I took it to an independent who suggested I take it to MB, thinking that it's a SAM issue. I hope not given that a new one as quoted to me by MB is $2035 + tax
Change the Module and everything works..well..except the paddles, at least in my car.
My Steering Column module part number was for an estate, but except for an extra switch for the rear wash/wipe, everything works fine.
Last edited by ap10046; May 27, 2016 at 10:06 AM.
I still have a Facelift w204 air bag for sale if anyones interested! ad's are up in the Canada regional forum and Classifieds interior section!
Sorry for the spam hahaha
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
this is my steering wheel look like, 4 buttons only
Only 4 buttons, very basic W204 classic
for the cluster maybe i go with used one since new one is pretty expensive.




You can find a few steering w/airbag on ebay or you can part it out like I did which saved me more $.
These are what I've purchased:
Steering wheel A172 460 2803. There was also 9E38 written after the part # on the steering wheel but not sure what they mean. It was taken off a CLS according to the seller.
Airbag
Description of the airbag was:
AMG airbag for C C63 CLS 63 E63 CLK SL W204 W218 W207 R231. AMG ONLY! This is important. Non AMG airbag is for a 4 spoke steering and will not fit. Thanks to MDMercedesGuy for pointing this out to me.
UPDATE
It looks like there are 2 type of amg steering wheels. I bought steering wheel 1 below but with airbag 2 so there's a gap on the bottom which I can live with. I've also seen some selling steering w/airbag in this setup so pay close attention to the images they provide or ask them a question if you're unsure.
So please consider the following:
If you buy this steering wheel w/o airbag

Then buy this airbag


----
If you buy this one w/o airbag

Then get this airbag


Either one you buy make sure the airbag has this connector included. You will have a hard time finding one of these otherwise.

***Again if you buy a complete set, still pay attention to the airbag as I've seen some still with wrong airbag.
So lets get started with the swap
Tools I used:
T30 torx
10mm socket set
10mm allen wrench

Now lets get started!
The battery is located under the air cabin filter box under the hood. It has 3 snap on clips. 2 on the sides and 1 center.
I forgot to take a picture of this one but this one shouldn't need it. But once the battery is exposed, use the 10mm socket wrench to remove the negative terminal from the battery and make sure to put something in between the negative terminal and negative post on the battery so they don't touch. I used rubber gloves. If you don't disconnect the battery you will get an airbag error which only the dealer or Mercedes tech can clear. So do not skip this step.
Now for the steering wheel removal.
Turn the steering wheel left and so the steering locks. This will be useful later.
Locate the steering mount holes located on the back of the steering. There’s one on the left and one on the right side. Use the T30 torx screw to loosen both torx screws all the way.

Slowly lift off the airbag from the steering wheel so you don’t accidentally yank on the airbag and steering cables.
You will see these 2 connectors on the steering column (brown & yellow). Hold the airbag or have someone hold it for you while you remove these connectors.
There are 2 tabs you need to push in to unlatch the connectors and then just pull the connectors straight out.

Once the original airbag is removed, you will have better access to the bolt that holds the steering.

Remove the center bolt using the 10mm allen wrench. It might help if you use the socket wrench you used earlier for the battery as a lever. Long end of the allen goes to the steering bolt, while the short end connects to the socket wrench.

And unscrew that sucker. Remember earlier, you made the steering lock. This is where it's useful if you don't have any to help or tools to hold the steering wheel. Now give it all you’ve got! It will be tough to remove but I didn’t give up. Just make sure you are pushing on the allen wrench at the same time so you don’t slip or end up stripping the bolt. Sorry I was working solo on this one so I couldn’t take a picture as I was trying to remove the bolt and didn’t want to drop the tools into the steering and scratch it.
Once the bolt is removed, pay attention to the marker inside. When you put your new steering wheel, it has to line up the same way or your steering will be off centered.

Time for the new FL Steering wheel
Put the steering wheel on and again make sure you line it up exactly how the old one was. I recommend you use lock tite on the bolt. Put the bolt back on. Make sure the bolt is on there tight!
Reattach the brown connector from the steering.
Grab the new airbag and attach the yellow cable to the steering column. Tug on both wires to make sure they are clipped in good and won’t come off.
Line up the airbag and just press it in till you hear the left and right side click in place.
Reattach negative terminal on the battery.
Enjoy your new steering wheel!



*** The paddles shifters worked on the new steering wheel for me even though my stock steering didn’t have them. Not sure this is true for all cars. So YMMV on this one.
W204 upgrade FL steering paddle shifter works - YouTube
If so did your buttons work and light up? and paddle shifters worked?
https://mbworld.org/forums/interior-...ml#post6918910.
Thank you for all the info you gave us,
May I ask you a question ?
I live in Israel , And own an E250 2013, with a steering wheel like model 2, and just bought a new wood leather AMG type steering wheel like model 1 but without air bag , you wrote that you used the type 2 airbag with a type 1 steering wheel but that you have a gap on the bottom of the airbag that you can live with,
Can you please put up pictures of how does it look with the gap ? so maybe I'll be able to use the airbag I have in the new steering wheel .
Thank you in advance
Yoram
I bought an used AMG wheel with Paddle shifters and followed the MJF`s instructions. My airbag is for the round wheel, not for the AMG type, but it fits, there's a small gap on the bottom which I can live with. Have disconnected the Paddle shifters and all buttons are working well.
Will have the dealer install this very soon...!
Last edited by mikerth; Mar 15, 2017 at 10:50 AM.








