When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
HELP, I have looked everywhere but is seems that all W220 steering wheel rebuilds use the base 39 cm ring which is too big for my taste. I would like to downsize to 37.5 or 38 cm at the most and I'm pretty sure the original airbag could still fit. Failing that kind of modification is there another Mercedes model (aside from W215 which is also 39 cm) which might fit even if one might have to use another airbag from that particular steering. Seems to me the W210 airbag base looks pretty much the same as the W220 airbag base. Any one on any of these options? I'm simply tired of the big w220/215 39 cm (15.354 inches) steering..
Looks very nice, thanks. I have been looking at the W208 steering (CLK 2000-2002) and noticed that it is a bit smaller in diameter and the W208 airbag seems to have the same connections as the W220 (i.e. the central airbag yellow pin and the black pin for the controls). Does anyone know if this airbag would hook up to the W220 without any problems? This would solve my issue and open up to use all the W208 steering wheels which are about one cm smaller in diameter.
Anyone on mounting a W208 steering and airbag on a W220? Has anyone tried this successfully without a "code error"? thanks..
I'm pretty sure there would be a code error. I think the airbag is paired with the ECU.
I had a problem with the EIS a while ago, and I tried switching ECU, TCM, EIS and key. That did work, but there was an airbag error. I was able to get round that using SDS to enter the chassis number to the SRS control unit.
So the W208/210 airbag will hook up to the W220 airbag wiring but with code error. I had the suspicion so thanks for confirming. You say it could work but the mods you mention seem quite high tech and not easy to implement so I will stick with the original W220 or 215 airbag. The question is now how do I get a smaller diameter steering? All the rebuilds seem to use the original ring except that some "flatten" the bottom by cutting the ring I guess. Has anyone seen a replacement which really has a smaller ring all around? "Slightly smaller" does not tell me much. I want to go from the original 39 cm to 37.5 cm or max 38 cm... Please let me know if anyone has succeeded with this.
I am thinking of a further possibility. Could the W220 airbag mount on the W208/210 steering which is smaller in diameter? Have a look at the photos attached for both steering wheels. I have the feeling the base looks almost exactly the same. If anyone has a W208/210 and a W220 airbag lying around appreciate if you could try to mount it and let me know.
So since smaller diameter W220 steering wheels don't exist I went ahead and removed the sponge on a standard one to see what material is underneath. Turns out it's aluminum. Will see now what can be done and will keep you posted
original 39 cm w220 steering with a 37 cm one behind it
So since smaller diameter W220 steering wheels don't exist I went ahead and removed the sponge on a standard one to see what material is underneath. Turns out it's aluminum. Will see now what can be done and will keep you posted
It's been 4 years since your last message. I really understand you very well. the diameter of the steering wheel is also too big for me. I feel like I am driving a bus. Although I have modified the original steering wheel, I am still not satisfied.
Did you make any progress? Have you had a chance to try the w208 steering wheel?
Hi Murat, thanks for reaching out for the smaller diameter steering wheels on our beloved w220s. It seems that anybody that starts talking about w220 steering wheels, whether it's individuals or companies that refurbish, the only thing they talk about is looks but NOT size. After 4 years of driving my car (I also have a beautiful upgraded sport steering similar to yours) I still hate trying to manhandle the car around the corners because the diameter is too big. I tried to order an original AMG steering and as you will see in the photo it's only half a cm smaller than the standard one. So far I see that the standard W220 and W215 wheels are 39 cm diameter while the W220 AMG is 38.5. Similarly the W208 and W210 (the only other MB airbag which has compatible airbag connections) is also 38.5 diameter. So essentially getting a sport upgrade on W220/215 or installing a W208/210 steering (with the need for the extra airbag) are both useless if what you're looking for is a smaller diameter for quicker response and a sporty driving feel.
What I ended up doing is going to a metal shop and asking them to make a 35.5 cm ring and bolt it on to a W220 steering center after cutting off most of the original ring. That way you just keep your original airbag. See photos below. This Corona thing has however prevented me from finishing the project and re-upholstering the wheel. Will update you when I do. What is interesting to see though is that you could go even smaller to say 34.5 cm diameter and still not touch the middle airbag housing. My advice if you want to try this is get an old W220 steering on line for about 50 bucks and work on it, as I did with, a metal shop. The most important thing to remember is that any kind of welding between your "new" metal and the aluminum base will NOT work (I tried originally). What you need to do is bolt on the new ring to the old base by drilling appropriate holes. You can plan 4 bolts or even 8 smaller bolts (two per connection). Hope this helps you and others.
Custom 35.5 cm ring bolted onto original w220 steering base Detail of attachment Notice cut of back foam to reach the metal base
Original w220 AMG steering - 38.5 cm - still way too big!
You did what I was afraid to do but you encouraged me. after work im going to https://www.instagram.com/nanovipdizayn/?hl=tr who are specialist about steering wheels ond wooden ineterior. im gonna ask them, is it possible to cut these part which is in red circle and mount small ring(original ring can be cut somewhere and reshaped) bu welding or something
06-12-2017, 10:15 AM
Smaller diameter steering W220
