Steering Column Lift motor & Gear

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Dec 4, 2012 | 04:53 PM
  #1  
Today I have a new failure. When I was getting out I could hear a gear popping but didn't know where the noise was from as there was a lot of construction noise. I got in the car to drive off and the Tilt lift mechanism has quit. I feel like I am driving a truck with the wheel at the highest postion. It will not adjust with the switch, no noise nothing. My guess is the motor has failed. It appears to be on the top side of the steering column. Has anyone changed this part? Repaired the column? or is it a take to dealer issue?

Thanks vettdvr.. A new failure to add to my list of data.
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Dec 5, 2012 | 08:24 AM
  #2  
Quote: Before I spent loads of bucks, I would first do the ole battery reset or If you have the menmory package, pick one of the three saved positions and see if the seats wheel and mirror adjust to the saved position.

FYI the part is expensive and loads of hours to change out----a real money maker!!
I'll check the manual for the reset but the problem is when it quit it was grinding AND now nothing moves so it is difficult to reset if the Gear drive appears to have failed. I checked the owners manual on resetting the steering wheel. I found nothing there either. I did find how to reset all the options after battery removal but nothing on the Tilt part of the steering wheel.

Summary I have been through service manual and found how to change the motor/gear assy but I won't do that
I have also found all the procedures on the battery change / reset but nothing on the steering wheel
I check fuses and have power to the tilt. I can hear the motor running but the tilt doesn't move sounds like gears now.
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Dec 6, 2012 | 09:38 AM
  #3  
Apparently this is a rare failure but if it will fail it will be on my MB. Shop called and main drive gear on the tilt gearbox stripped out. New part on order should be ready today. Just open wallet and it will be all better.
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Dec 6, 2012 | 05:03 PM
  #4  
Update. Problem solved. The plastic coupling between the tilt motor and gearbox made of white plastic became brittle and broke. All it took was to pull the steering column remove the motor from the gearbox and replace a coupling what must be worth about $2.00. Just dont' ask how much was a labor charge @ $125/hr.
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Dec 7, 2012 | 09:23 AM
  #5  
Quote: The plastic coupling between the tilt motor and gearbox made of white plastic became brittle and broke.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...2004-e500.html
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Dec 7, 2012 | 04:05 PM
  #6  
Konigstiger thanks for the info. That is exactly what failed on mine. No one has answered on any thread for W211 does the column have to be removed Or can it just be lowered? Does the dash come out?
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