gaaudim

Hi guys,

anyone knows if 2009/2010 ML350/ML63 AMG steering wheels(with matching airbags) can be used to replace my 2008 pre facelift one?

i notice the 4 holes around the central hole of the wheel base is different between 08 and 09 model, what are these holes for?

** attached pictures below.**

thinking to get one with ergonomic desgin. please help, thanks!!

gaaudim

2.jpg - 09/10 steering wheel base
3.jpg - 08 steering wheel base

VelociRaptor

Yes, it will fit. Now about the buttons working....thats another story. Be sure to have the power completely cut off on the vehicle when working with the airbag.

gaaudim

thanks Veloc! oh there is buttons control!! any idea how to get the buttons work? or a workshop with STAR sys should be able to configure it without adding extra component?

or somthing to do with fitting an 'in-wheel control module' for the button control? If so where can we get this?

and could advise what those holes in my 2nd post for?

Vanishingpoint1

For those of you who haven't figured this out yet. I have a 2008 ML550. I bought it used and it had the usual issues with the steering wheel controls. They work fine, but they look like crap! I also had an issue with the silly shifter buttons on the back of the wheel as well as some peeling of the satin finish on my lower left wheel spoke.

I found a 2010 wood and leather wheel for a W164 on eBay for $97! Then I found the matching airbag with radio controls in perfect condition for $299.

If you should decide to attempt this conversion, please understand clearly, that you may have issues. From having an SRS light come on to killing yourself if the airbag goes off and it breaks your neck. Slim but real chance of this happening. I bear no responsibility if you, or your car are injured or killed while attempting this conversion!

Here's what you will need to do:

Start the car and turn the wheel so that you can gain access to one of the two holes on the back of the wheel with your T30 torx driver or wrench. These torx fasteners hold the airbag in place. they need to be removed first.

Loosen the first torx screw holding the airbag assembly and leave in cavity on the old wheel. Spin the wheel 180 degrees and remove the second torx screw holding the airbag.

Straighten the wheel so that it is level.

Turn off the engine.

DISCONNECT THE BATTERY NOW!!!! You will be sorry if you skip this step!!!! You will need to remove the ground post from the battery under the passenger seat and remove the spade clip from the auxiliary battery also. Your stations and memory settings will need to be reset after this, but it beats having your SRS light come on by a long shot. The SRS light will come on if you disconnect the airbag without performing this step! It may still come on after doing this, but the chances are greatly reduced. Once again, NO LIABILITY!

You will need a pick tool, or a very small straight blade screwdriver next. at this point you will be able to remove the airbag. It should just pull straight off now. On the back of the airbag you will find two connectors, one yellow. One green. Both will have a small orange retaining clip. Use your small screwdriver to pry them straight up from the yellow and green connectors. Now the two connectors will just pull off.

Carefully set the airbag aside, preferably outside the vehicle.

Remove the black plug attached to the connector ring on the base of the wheel. There should be three wires on a single black plug. Simply press the release tab and remove from the old wheel. It goes through a hole in the base of the wheel into a larger plug on the clock spring assembly. ONLY REMOVE THE PLUG ON THE WHEEL!

In the center of the wheel, you will find a 10MM Allen head screw. You will need a ratchet, a 10mm allen socket, and a short extension to remove it. It will take a bit of strength to remove the bolt.

Now remove the old wheel. It should tug right off without much effort. Be careful to not catch the three electrical plugs that you just removed on the hole in the wheel. BE CAREFUL TO NOT MOVE OR DAMAGE THE DELICATE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY BEHIND THE OLD WHEEL WHILE DOING THIS!

Notice at this point that there is a key way directly at the bottom of the old wheel. It lines up with a mating flat key machined into the steering column.

Take your new wheel: and reverse the process. Thread the electrical connectors carefully through the same hole in the new wheel. Be cautious to not harm the clock spring assembly. Make sure that the key way lines up. Very simple, but...

Once the new wheel is solidly mated to the key way, it will be fine. Now reinstall the 10mm flare bolt into the steering column. Torque to factory specs. Now grab your new 2010 airbag and radio control assembly. First plug in the black controls plug. It matches the old wheel perfectly and snaps right in. Next, install the green and yellow airbag plugs onto the back of the airbag, and snap the locking clips back down to secure. Push the airbag / radio control assembly into place. NOTE: MAKE SURE THE WIRE UNDER THE AIRBAG FOR THE LEFT SHIFTER PADDLE IS SECURED INTO THE BLACK PLASTIC RETAINING CLIP ON THE NEW WHEEL BASE. Look for it. It's there.

At this point, you can reconnect the two batteries under the seat. Tighten all connections and reinstall all of the plastiky bits and such. With the connections on the back of the new airbag properly made prior to this step, you can now start the car, spin the wheel to a position where you can access the T30 torx screws on the new wheel. Tighten them up to secure the new airbag assembly.

Your done!

Good luck.

Domino1968

Great post Vanishingpoint1! Exactly what I was looking for!