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Picked up this steering wheel that had a weight / mass in the middle that appears to be some sort of Frahm. No electronics. Nothing but a metal weight suspended by the green silicon plugs. Has a plastic cover I assume to prevent the airbag wires from rubbing on it. Anyone have any idea of part number or true function? Is it something I should put on my E350 to take out steering wheel vibration, not that I have any anyway? I have seen it in other pictures but with no reference to it. Thanks in advance.
I've never seen that before. Are you outside the U.S.? It's certainly there to eliminate vibration, maybe for certain diesel or 4matic models?
Some consider Texas outside the US. I have had two E350's and bought probably half a dozen steering wheels for them (trying to get matching wood) and this is the first for me too.
If it's aluminum it's probably not there for weight. I'm guessing it has something to do with how the airbag functions.
It does not have to be steel. The amount of weight required is dependent on the frequency, amplitude and axis of the vibration you are trying to counteract with a Frahm (helicopter engineer here, can't help it). The airbag is on the other side of the metal airbag mounting plate and blows out, not in.
Originally Posted by E55Greasemonkey
Post the 211......... part number on the paper tag if you can read it.
There isn't a 211 part number which is why I was hoping someone might know it or where to find it. The paper tag has just the letters BOH, I think since it is kinda worn, can't really read the first letter.
All the other steering wheels I have purchased and my original steering wheels had the same 3-hole mounting pattern for this thing but none of them had it installed.
To quote a famous commercial, "It's a mind boggling thing."
Thought it had to do with CU but looks like air bag mount notice routing sleeve at top for airbag harness. Reverse side of airbag:
The little groove in the black plastic cover is for that harness jumper (between bag and controller) to ride in. The controller is the silver box in the first picture and is suspended between two pieces of the steering wheel rubber. This thing doesn't touch the controller or airbag.
The more I look on eWay the more I see steering wheels with this thing but can't tell rhyme or reason on what does or doesn't call for its installation. Also don't see anyone selling it separately from the wheel. It is just funny that I hadn't seen one before in any of the ones I bought or in my own personal cars. Most likely it is a model / option specific thing. Just trying to solve the mystery.
Damn I'm good. That part number fits E-class models 211.020 211.022 211.024 and 211.222 which are all diesel versions; E280 CDI, E320 CDI, E300 BLUETEC, E320 BLUETEC
As I surmised before, it's for vibration control in diesel models. I asked if you were outside the U.S. because some of those models are not U.S. spec cars.
You're welcome!
Last edited by E55Greasemonkey; 02-05-2021 at 01:50 PM.
Damn I'm good. That part number fits E-class models 211.020 211.022 211.024 and 211.222 which are all diesel versions; E280 CDI, E320 CDI, E300 BLUETEC, E320 BLUETEC
As I surmised before, it's for vibration control in diesel models. I asked if you were outside the U.S. because some of those models are not U.S. spec cars.
You're welcome!
I bow to your wisdom.
Anyone have a diesel that needs the Frahm weight in their steering wheel?
02-05-2021, 08:49 AM
I have had two E350's and bought probably half a dozen steering wheels for them (trying to get matching wood) and this is the first for me too.
That part number fits E-class models 211.020 211.022 211.024 and 211.222 which are all diesel versions; E280 CDI, E320 CDI, E300 BLUETEC, E320 BLUETEC
