Hello, I am planning to replace the Steering Angle Sensor of my 2007 Ml350 W164. However, one of the steering wheel screws is stripped, and so far I was unable to remove it.
Any ideas on how can I loosen that screw would be welcome.

 

Are you referring to #4 in the PDF? That bolt is torqued to 59 ft. lbs.

You would need a 1/2 inch breaker bar with the appropriate socket to remove that screw/bolt.

If you stripped that hole, you have a big problem.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I am referring to the two small hex screws that are holding the airbag. Essentially these are the first ones that I have to remove.

 

What size Torx bit did you use?

 

I use T27 and it works fine for the right side. The one on the left, which is stripped, js the problematic one. I am sure that is stripped since I can see it. The car is a second hand car and it was like that since I bought it.

By th way I tried also with a bit bigger Torx and no luck..

 

If I remember correctly the screw remains in the steering wheel after completely loosened, correct?

I think the only remedy you have is to drill out the head of that screw but it must be done with the negative battery cable disconnected.

This of course is only a suggestion and the decision is yours to make.

 

Yes the screw remains in the steering wheel.
do we have any pictures on how the screw looks like? Ideally I would like to see the dimensions of its head to understand how much I should drill if I opt to follow that path. Of course the battery will be disconnected if I do it

 

Look at the screw in the slot that you were able to remove the screw out and that should give you an idea of the size of the head.

You must start with a drill bit a little larger of the damaged screw hole. Drill a little, then use the next larger drill bit and so on and so on, until the head disappears, then you will be able to pull the Air Bag out.

The only drawback is those screw/bolts are not available from M/B. You will have to try junk yards for that screw.

Here is a photo of where the bolts go to the Air Bag.

Since the bolt hole is rounded, try using Hex bit set.

 

Got it. So, if I understand correctly, the screw ties into the Air Bag threads only, and there are no threads on the metallic part of the steering wheel, right? Hence If that is correct, once I remove the head, the airbag will be released.
Is there anything else in there, that I may break while drilling (assuming that I drill only on the bolt head)?

By the way, the other screw that I was able to un-tie, since it stays in place, I can't really look at it and understand how big is the head. I tried using my phone camera but it is not that clear..
I guess I will have to look into a junkyard to find one, and to also get a replacement.

 

The screw threads screw into the Air Bag and nothing to do with the steering wheel.

 

It's a T30, that's your problem.

 

Thanks for input. Thought, the problem is the stripped screw. I have already tried with a bit larger hex and no luck...
The only solution is to drill the screw.

 

Incorrect, it is a T27.

 

Nope, the airbag requires

a T30, been using this tool for 18 years.

 

Get a long T30 and tap it in with hammer. This shouldn't be a problem in the first place had you used the proper tool.

 

E55, up to 2005 M/M used T30 but as of 2006 M/B changed to T27. Listen to 1;17 of video.