So I ordered the 63 paddles and then came in less then a week. First off this installation is based on a Renntech steering wheel which I believe is manufactured by MP Design.

To remove the steering wheel you will need a size 30 Hex head, I have one that has a socked end which was needed because you have a short area to work with.

Once you remove the two screws, one on each side, the airbag becomes loose and removable. At this time is when you should disconnect the battery. There are two connectors orange & green with little tabs that lift off, to remove the connectors.





To remove the wheel you will need a large allan, preferablly one with a socked end so you can torque it down correctly. Be sure you have the wheel in a perfect straight position so when you put the new one on its centered correctly.


Here is the box that has the part numbers to order the paddles. They were $108 + tax Part #171 267 00 46





Once the wheel was off, it was dremel time.. Below are the 63 paddles and the 55 switches. You can see the size difference.





I then removed the silver switch from the housing.




Next I pulled out the electronic switch from the housing, if you just push on the one end with a screwdriver it slides out...





Next I cut and dremeled the 55 housing so that it would fit with the 63 paddles.




After its cut and formed.



I then super glued it to the 63 paddle




Front side...




Next step was to remove the fiberglass housing from the wheel. In order for the 63 paddle to fit half of this had to come out because it was to thick.




I cut the front half out and kept the back half in so that the 55 piece would fit tightly into this. The next pictures shows half of it taken out, as well as a hole drilled and dremeled.




From what I can tell the only way to get the 63 paddle to hold securely to the wheel is drill a hole though the wheel so that you can put a screw into this little hole that is on the 63 paddle. To find the exact location to drill I took a little paint and put it around the hole, then fit it up against the wheel, this made a perfect spot so you know where to drill.




Here you can see the screw on this inside of the wheel..



So now you can fit the hole piece and screw it in from the back, make sure your screw is the perfect size other wise you will drill through the paddle.





Front shot..



Side shot..



Just repeat the same steps on the other side and your done!



Here she is all back together..







Overall I was very impressed with the 63 paddles, they are well made and made for a perfect fit after the modifications. They are solid and feel as if they were made for that wheel. Also I've hear that these paddles will only work with 05 & 06 cars, I guess the wiring is different for 04 and prior.

Thanks for watching the show!

 

wow.. great job

 

wow great write up Kevin

Did you take her for a test drive in the twisties to test them in action ?

Enrique

 

Excellent! That write-up we so well done, I decided not to do it.

 

Just like watching precision surgery. Great write up and photography.

 

Great job Kevin, thanks for the play by play, it benefits all of us.

 

Very nicely done. I know some guys on the E55 forum were trying to do this and ran into some issues with different circuitry. good work!

 

Great Job man! I am trying to do it to my E55 but the circuity is different because I have an 04. I am working on swapping out the circuity and then installing it. Its going to take some work but CONGRATS on the mod. I can't wait to get it done on my 55! Good work!

 

Actually I did, they felt very solid, and I think I gained 10 HP


Thank you goes out to x-tian-230k, he originally found the part number for the paddles. Thanks bro!

 

 

It will work with almost any car however I can be certain that it will not be as easy as yours. After all .... a switch is a switch.

If you replace the plastic and keep the electronics it can be made to work with older cars. No idea how hard or easy that is.

 

I wanted to be the first to do this mod!!! Damnit.. hahaa i am just playin... I am happy you were able to make it work. My project requires a little bit more custom work but it will be done!! glad you were able to do it!!! BIg ups to you!

 

Kevin,

You never ceased to amaze me with your determination to DIY. Nice work and a great job well done.

 

Looks nice! That was about the only reason I was thinking about the 63 instead on the 55. I think I will move on a cls55 IWC. Do you know if this conversion will work with the OEM steering wheel?

Thanks

 

Thanks Adam!



Yes it should work on a stock wheel, the insides of the Renntech wheel are basically the same as the stock wheel.

 

Kevin,
When I removed the steering wheel from the Range Rover and disconnected the airbag, I had to take the car to the dealer to have them reset so that the warning light would go off...

Really like your steering wheel. Do they make it in Piano Black wood?

 

The key is disconnecting the battery, then the computer doesn't know that the airbag was disconnected. If the Rovers battery was disconnected prior, it must have a backup battery for memory. Not sure if it comes in Piano Black.

 

Thanks for an awesome write-up! I am planning the mod on my 208 CLK55 Cabrio. I want to use the stock wheel and am reviewing wiring diagrams to determine plug and wiring changes necessary to accomplish...When ready I will definitely try and take as good as pics as you have shared.

Thanks again hope you are enjoying!?

Mick

 

Simply wow

 

Hey Kevin!!

Great job. I am going to run out and get the parts and install them on my c55 asap!!

Do you know anything about putting in the digitial climate control module in my c55??? I am told that it will plug right in. I am also told that either it will not work right, or that there are 3 different versions so I need to know the right part number so that it will work?

Also what about a charcoal filter?

Thanks I and I almost guarantee EVERY c55 owner would like to do this!

Thanks Sean

 

those questions are prob better asked in the c forum.... also, may want to check around a bit to make sure the electronics in the c were changed for 04 to 05 as well....

 

I would assume they're fine as the 07 c55 has them.

 

Sorry Sean, I can't help with the climate control or charcoal filter. Also dogshine is correct about the wiring for the paddles. The 05 and newer E class has the same wiring, but 04 and older is different, so be aware of that.
Hope this helps
Kevin

 

hmm. Sounds like I need to take it apart and hook them up and then "test" whether they shift etc before I modify the backs??? If they don't work maybe I can unload them to someone here.

Any of you guys have the m1 flash? Is it any faster than S mode after a reset and drilling on it so it is programmed to shift hard?

 

man,ur amaizing