Should be getting my ride back today, owned it for 10hrs and then back to the dealer for 2 weeks, but they are taken care of the issues. Anyway I have my mods on the way. And just want to double check on the steering wheel swap since I've read different things about it.

If I remove the neg on the front and rear battery, keep the keyless go away from vehicle, swap and reconnect, will all be well? Anyone do a steering wheel swap on the 550? Any issues with even doing it this way?

 

I guess you are afraid of the airbag and/or SRS fault codes? It should be sufficient to have ignition off but I would disconnect the batteries like you planned to do.

 

Thanks,. Yes, I just want to try and prevent and ill effects if possible. I've swapped out many steering on other brand vehicles and just disconnect the battery, swap wheel and alls done. With this 2 battery thing I was unsure of having both disconnected for a period of time.

I did get my ride back today. Yeh...

 

Could you let me know how it's done? thank you!!

 

No prob. I'll try to snap pics too. Just incase someone is interested. I already got the rear apart. Quite simple to access the battery and electronics area. Steering wheel should be here Tuesday. Snow delays here in the NYC area.

 

Very interested too! Just got an " almost new" oem wood wheel on eBay for 350... Couldn't pass it up!

 

figured this might be a good thread to ask this:

Is it possible to do "plug and play" on the steering wheel to go to an OEM heated one?

 

I would imagine this can be done. You would have to change out the controll stalk too...

I have heard that the plugs are there but like a lot of OEM retrofits its probably expensive... Also, is this an option for the wood/leather steering wheels or just the all leather, I wonder?

Keep us in the loop! Not something I would prioritize as my car is garaged at home and at work but I can understand, being in New England, the benefits!

 

Check out bekkers.com, When you call ask for Matt he will give u great deal on the steering

 

Just got wheel today at 2pm. Just finished install. Took about 45mins with all the pictures I took to help someone else out. That slowed me down abit. Even took pic of the tools you will need. I will post it all up later. Thanks...........

 

First I extended the steering wheel all the way out. Took the start button out and put it in the house. Removed Neg from battery under hood first 10mm nut. Then into trunk. remove floor cover, rear cover and loosened neg 10mm nut. Use slim T30 to loosen the 2 T30's from behind the wheel to remove airbag. Once loosened, be carefull and hold bag. Remove all plugs but DO NOT try and pull out plug from the clock spring. Remove plugs from the airbag itself (yellow and Green). Loosen 10mm allen bolt, it's on there pretty good, so hold the steering wheel from standing outside the car and use your other arm to loosen it. DO NOT try and just loosen it without holding the wheel. Once bolt is out, slide out wheel being carefull to feed wire harness threw wheel. Now just do everything in reverse.

Any questions just ask away. Hope this helps somewhat.

 

Thank you so much for all the info, I will change my tomorrow

 

This will be a very helpful write up for steering wheel swap! thanks!

 

Good job! Very useful write up and pic's.

 

The heated wheel is also on the wood/leather wheels. Only the leather portion is heated not the wood.

 

Wow! Great write-up! Thank you so much! Quick question-will disconnecting both batteries cause the command to lose it's settings? Nav, voice, telephone, radio stations?

 

Thanks, Sorry for the crappy pop up things in the pics. Adding acouple of words to a pic that has thousands words already was just for added assistance. That was the only way I know how to do it.

No problems at all, All settings still the same.....Like nothing ever happen.

 

Hmmmm..... Rear battery access.... Removed 2 screws as pictured and floor cover comes out, revealing the sound deadening materials over the metal floor...but no other panels "slide out" ....

From the looks of it, it seems the entire interior system of panels have to be removed to gain access?? Tray to access spare tire comes out, back floor panel comes out, but all other pannels dont seem removable unless I start from the back and remove the clips on the back and sides?? Didn't seem like we had to take out everything from your description....

Dont want to spend anymore time on this....

Maybe a few more pics to clarify for others?

I have a warranty item to take care of on Tues and the dealer said he'd swap out the wheel for $60 labor... I'll do that so if anything goes wrong I dont have to kick myself!

Would love to know if there is other success out there with this wheel swap... Maybe I am missing something obvious...

Not having good luck with these DIY jobs on the forum!! First the defective Video in Motion module install (and prompt return) and now this frustration...

 

Sorry for any confusion. I do show the rear cover that goes across the back of the trunk. It covers some of the electronics and battery. With all the posts showing where the battery is I kinda just figured everybody knew where the battery was. I wasn't even going to take pics of the truck bec I thought it was something everybody knew.

If others have an issue with getting access to the rear battery, I will try to redo the instructions in the trunk. No side panels need to be removed. Maybe a quick video?

 

Hmmm... My rear cover is over a blank metal plate covered by sound deadening material... Could be we have a slightly different set up? I have a 2007, what year is yours?

 

I have an 07. I don't see an edit tab for the post but I think I know where the confusion is. In my pic above I show the panel pulled out showing part of the battery area behind the seat.

After removing the floor panel, the battery is behind the vertical panel that goes from driver side to passenger side facing the back seat. It is just a fit in panel. No clips etc....Pull it out from the driver side, as you pull it out, slide it toward the rear of the car and out of the trunk. Hopefully this pic will be more helpfull.

 

Thanks! Mine seems to be "glued" in... Didnt want to rip it out... Was there a glued lip on the bottom pannel of yours? I did start to peel it up, but didnt go further... I probablay should have just dived in and pulled it out... Thanks again for the extra pics!

 

Yes that is extra carpet over hang. When you put it back in, it might roll under. Just make it look nice and keep an eye on it. So it all looks nice.....

 

were did you get cap in how much for phone

 

https://mbworld.org/forums/new-s-cla...pad-cover.html