Steering wheel removal
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Far North Queensland, Australia
1990 mercedes benz 300E
Steering wheel removal
My 1990 300 E (W124) has a steering wheel without the airbag. How do you remove the flexible horn operating pad from the centre of the steering wheel. The sides can be pulled up, but the middle does not release. Should I just pull harder or do I need to make up some tool? The models with airbags have 2 screws accessible from the back of the wheel, but I cannot see any here. I need to get to the cruise control lever, which has to be fixed. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Far North Queensland, Australia
1990 mercedes benz 300E
Just found the answer to my question. Someone had a W123 type diesel with the same sort of steering wheel and showed it on "Youtube". The button in the middle sits in a recess in the pad. I gently pushed the round tip of a dinner knife under the edge of the button and slowly levered it out. To undo the wheel, you need a 10mm AF Allen key (Hex key) to undo the screw. If you put the long leg into the screw, the short leg of the Allen key is just clear of the pad. A 10mm socket and a piece of pipe slipped over the handle of the breaker bar with the steering wheel held firmly by your strongest mate will release the screw. Be careful not to engage the steering lock when the Ignition key is out. I disconnect the battery and leave the key in. The little spade lug for the horn has to be pulled out before the wheel can be removed.
