Steering wheel adjustment motor gone bad?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 136
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From: Chicago
02C32AMG
Steering wheel adjustment motor gone bad?
Note: it looks like the Search feature is not working for this site... returns a blank page.
Anyway, the motor that controls the height of my steering wheel seems to have gone bad. It won't automatically raise up and down when turning off/on the car as it always has in the past. I hear the motor running but the steering wheel doesn't move. Thankfully, it's stuck in the down position so it doesn't affect my ability to drive the car. The telescoping motor works fine - its just the up and down motor that doesn't work.
I'm wondering if this is common or if there is a quick fix? If not, it's off to the dealer to get it fixed while I still have a warranty.
Thanks.
Anyway, the motor that controls the height of my steering wheel seems to have gone bad. It won't automatically raise up and down when turning off/on the car as it always has in the past. I hear the motor running but the steering wheel doesn't move. Thankfully, it's stuck in the down position so it doesn't affect my ability to drive the car. The telescoping motor works fine - its just the up and down motor that doesn't work.
I'm wondering if this is common or if there is a quick fix? If not, it's off to the dealer to get it fixed while I still have a warranty.
Thanks.
Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
05 c55
Note: it looks like the Search feature is not working for this site... returns a blank page.
Anyway, the motor that controls the height of my steering wheel seems to have gone bad. It won't automatically raise up and down when turning off/on the car as it always has in the past. I hear the motor running but the steering wheel doesn't move. Thankfully, it's stuck in the down position so it doesn't affect my ability to drive the car. The telescoping motor works fine - its just the up and down motor that doesn't work.
I'm wondering if this is common or if there is a quick fix? If not, it's off to the dealer to get it fixed while I still have a warranty.
Thanks.
Anyway, the motor that controls the height of my steering wheel seems to have gone bad. It won't automatically raise up and down when turning off/on the car as it always has in the past. I hear the motor running but the steering wheel doesn't move. Thankfully, it's stuck in the down position so it doesn't affect my ability to drive the car. The telescoping motor works fine - its just the up and down motor that doesn't work.
I'm wondering if this is common or if there is a quick fix? If not, it's off to the dealer to get it fixed while I still have a warranty.
Thanks.
Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
c55
how it works
Ok theres an adjustment motor and that motor is connected to the steering column via a driveshaft (plastic dogbone) and unless the motor itself is bad, more than likely youve torn that dogbone.
How does the dogbone tear you ask? if you lean or pull on the steering wheel during tilt adjustment (i.e. when getting in or out of the car with the convenience function on) it puts strain on the driveshaft and eventually it tears in half
after u replace the driveshaft i think u need SDS to normalize the motor
if u have warranty just let them do it
How does the dogbone tear you ask? if you lean or pull on the steering wheel during tilt adjustment (i.e. when getting in or out of the car with the convenience function on) it puts strain on the driveshaft and eventually it tears in half
after u replace the driveshaft i think u need SDS to normalize the motor
if u have warranty just let them do it
Last edited by scrwmpwr; Jan 29, 2008 at 11:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
02C32AMG
Ok theres an adjustment motor and that motor is connected to the steering column via a driveshaft (plastic dogbone) and unless the motor itself is bad, more than likely youve torn that dogbone.
How does the dogbone tear you ask? if you lean or pull on the steering wheel during tilt adjustment (i.e. when getting in or out of the car with the convenience function on) it puts strain on the driveshaft and eventually it tears in half
after u replace the driveshaft i think u need SDS to normalize the motor
if u have warranty just let them do it
How does the dogbone tear you ask? if you lean or pull on the steering wheel during tilt adjustment (i.e. when getting in or out of the car with the convenience function on) it puts strain on the driveshaft and eventually it tears in half
after u replace the driveshaft i think u need SDS to normalize the motor
if u have warranty just let them do it
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
'05 C55 AMG
i had this problem before. took it to the dealership since my car was still under warranty. apparently there's a plastic tab somewhere in the assembly that's prone to snapping off. when that happens, it jams the thing. i think it's a simple fix.
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Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 121
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From: USA
2005 E320
I had my steering transmission (driveshaft and motor assembly) replaced this past week because the tilt stopped moving up and down. Is there some special software adjustment that should be performed after the parts are replaced?
Sorry to revive such an old thread, but this is the best one that I could find that speaks of the problem I am having.
Thanks.
kv
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Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 173
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From: Vegas
02 C32
The sound from the adjustment motor is pretty noticable when my steering column is moving, making me think its life is prolly limited. I, too, would be interested to know if anyone has completed this repair on their own.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 37
From: NY
2014 E350 4Matic
My steering wheel motor has gone out on me twice. First time it was fixed purs. to warranty. I now have an appointment on monday to have it fixed again by an independant who takes my aftermarket warranty.
Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 173
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From: Vegas
02 C32
My steering wheel adjuster quit working yesterday. I hear the motor running but the steering wheel doesn't move (neither with the automatic convenience tilt nor if I try to manually adjust with the button). Has anybody attempted a DIY replacement? Can anybody point me to a manual or other literature to guide me as I attempt to replace mine? Thanx!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 20
From: East Bay, Bay Area
2002 C32, 2012 S550
My steering wheel adjuster quit working yesterday. I hear the motor running but the steering wheel doesn't move (neither with the automatic convenience tilt nor if I try to manually adjust with the button). Has anybody attempted a DIY replacement? Can anybody point me to a manual or other literature to guide me as I attempt to replace mine? Thanx!
Good luck, I'm in the same Boat as you.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: USA
C240
Ok theres an adjustment motor and that motor is connected to the steering column via a driveshaft (plastic dogbone) and unless the motor itself is bad, more than likely youve torn that dogbone.
How does the dogbone tear you ask? if you lean or pull on the steering wheel during tilt adjustment (i.e. when getting in or out of the car with the convenience function on) it puts strain on the driveshaft and eventually it tears in half
after u replace the driveshaft i think u need SDS to normalize the motor
if u have warranty just let them do it
How does the dogbone tear you ask? if you lean or pull on the steering wheel during tilt adjustment (i.e. when getting in or out of the car with the convenience function on) it puts strain on the driveshaft and eventually it tears in half
after u replace the driveshaft i think u need SDS to normalize the motor
if u have warranty just let them do it
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 637
Likes: 3
From: queensland australia
2009 C 63
steering wheel ajustment motor gone bad
check todays post in audio and electronics titled how to fix power steer column that will not move up or down dont know why under posted under audio and electronics
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 221
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From: Florida
C32
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 43
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From: USA
C240
getting to the dogbone
there is a black bracket made from hard plastic (but thin) that is the main item blocking the culprit part. I tried but so far unsuccessful to remove it - nor was able to remove the connectors attached to it.
If I get mine fixed I can write up the exact steps - but right now I am a good distance from there.
If I get mine fixed I can write up the exact steps - but right now I am a good distance from there.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 258
Likes: 1
From: socal
Hope you are not refering to this as the the two hooks on top just bend out of the way.
Be sure to take plenty of clear pictures if you are going to do a how to.
After you do it one time I don't think it is really that hard, its just knowing what not to take off as there is plenty of things that I did not need to take off to get the joint in and out.
Be sure to take plenty of clear pictures if you are going to do a how to.
After you do it one time I don't think it is really that hard, its just knowing what not to take off as there is plenty of things that I did not need to take off to get the joint in and out.
Last edited by health services; Oct 27, 2010 at 02:02 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 43
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From: USA
C240
no this is not what I am talking about -
it's just 2 connectors (electrical) on a bracket. That bracket is getting in the way. I couldn't upload the picture from my hard drive for some reason, may be it requies me to first upload it to some online site like photobucket and then post here?
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 221
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From: Florida
C32
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: Florida
C32
Hope you are not refering to this as the the two hooks on top just bend out of the way.
Be sure to take plenty of clear pictures if you are going to do a how to.
After you do it one time I don't think it is really that hard, its just knowing what not to take off as there is plenty of things that I did not need to take off to get the joint in and out.
Be sure to take plenty of clear pictures if you are going to do a how to.
After you do it one time I don't think it is really that hard, its just knowing what not to take off as there is plenty of things that I did not need to take off to get the joint in and out.
Did you complete the repair on the defective tilt steering mechanism?
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 43
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From: USA
C240
No - I am stuck at removing the bracket out of the way in order to get to the broken piece. I actually see it (although from Very tight angle) broken, snapped in two, right from the middle. I see the end attached to the motor churning too.
Another approach I may try is to additionally remove the driver's side dash panel (not the instrument ..., not the center console, etc.). I got stuck at that too for now: the right side of the driver-side dash panel seems held tight where it ends next to the radio, and on the bottom right corner it meets w/ the center piece of the dash - just below the stereo.
Does anybody have instructions that can help me from this point on?
I wish this site would have allowed for direct uploading of image files from my computer. Anyways, dontbanme, I will email you right now the one shot I have which shows that bracket in the way, you can also post it here - so health services can see it too.
Another approach I may try is to additionally remove the driver's side dash panel (not the instrument ..., not the center console, etc.). I got stuck at that too for now: the right side of the driver-side dash panel seems held tight where it ends next to the radio, and on the bottom right corner it meets w/ the center piece of the dash - just below the stereo.
Does anybody have instructions that can help me from this point on?
I wish this site would have allowed for direct uploading of image files from my computer. Anyways, dontbanme, I will email you right now the one shot I have which shows that bracket in the way, you can also post it here - so health services can see it too.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: USA
C240
you can check your email now
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 221
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From: Florida
C32
Per Basa...
The bracket has to electrical connectors mounted on it - the bracket is in the way. But forcing it out of the way is Not the answer. These brackets usually are fastened by a screw (if not some latch), However, I can't see nor feel anything like that.
The bracket has to electrical connectors mounted on it - the bracket is in the way. But forcing it out of the way is Not the answer. These brackets usually are fastened by a screw (if not some latch), However, I can't see nor feel anything like that.
