vdubpower

how in the world do u remove the gear ***, i have the old rubber black one from 1985. i would like to replace it with a nice zebrano to match the rest of teh wood.

please dont tell me i have to take the whole thing apart.

also, i have the huge steering wheel in mine, i guess its like 17 inches or so, lol bigger than my 14 inch ralley rims, anways, i want to change it, what steering wheels will fit?

braverichard

1) Yes indeed, you have to take the entire gear selector assembly out. I've been tempted to do what you're about to do as the wooden one looks so much nicer and is much more elegant, however I've thought about all the stuff I have to go through to get it done and I've decided to just live with the one in the car.

2) Yes also, that steering wheel is super huge. Well, you can replace it with a smaller one for sure. I replaced the huge steering wheel in my '84 300SD with a smaller one from a 1987 190E. However, I wouldn't advise you to do anything to yours because [I'm sure] yours had an airbag in it. If you don't have an airbag then go ahead. Even M-B knew that steering wheel was way to big when they resized it in 1986.

vdubpower

Yah i would have no idea how to take out the center. I posted this question on benzworld and i think one guy just cut his rubber one off and attached the wood.
Do you know if any of the modern wheels fit on the old cars or do ihave to find a non airbag wheel, as my car has no bag? thanks


gear and steering wheel

braverichard

If your car has no airbag then you're cool. Modern steering wheels will fit, just need to get the right size for the connection. If you want to retain that M-B steering wheel look, you can do just what I did. Buy a smaller M-B wheel.

vdubpower

will the w140 or 220 wheels fit the 126, i woulndt mind a sportier wheel, but im not sure what older Mercs would have that, or eithe r agood source to find those, ebay seems to have late model merc wheels

braverichard

None of those wheels (W140,W220) will fit. Get something from a post 1986 W126 with leather, or something from any Benz engineered between 1985 and 1989. Or you can just grab one from your local autoparts store, but that will mess up the look of your elegant German machine. :p

vdubpower

does anyone have detailed instructions on how to take apart the shifter console, i found a real nice knob i want to get. thanks