DLayne

Good Evening
I'm a new member trying to deal with a problem relating to the travel of the steering column on the 2011 S550 v the 2010 S550.
I'm very tall (6' 10½") and being uncomfortable in cars has been an issue for decades. My best friend (a 7-footer) introduced me to the 2010 S550 before he died and I've wanted one ever since. I finally got a 2010 S550 about 18 months ago 86K miles. It was generally pleasant to drive, but had an annoying rattle driver's side front that was driving me NUTS! Couldn't find anyone to identify the problem. I started looking around and found a 2011 with 68K miles that is in generally much better condition. When I first got the car, I noticed that the travel on the steering wheel was a bit shorter on the 2011 (about 1½" shorter) compared to the 2010, but I thought it was something I could deal with. I am quickly finding out that that inch and a half is making a tremendous difference in my ability to drive the car safely.

Is there someone in the MBW community that has an insight into what the driver of the reduced steering wheel travel was in the 2011 S550? Is the difference only in the steering column or is there a change in the layout of the dash in that area as well?
I'm hoping there is a way to switch out the 2011 steering column with the 2010 steering column to get that 1½" back.
If that isn't possible them I'm looking at trying to lower the driver's seat by that 1½" or,
Move the seat back a couple of inches. Any thoughts or recommendations on a shop on the Easter seaboard that does these types of modifications would be deeply appreciated.

Thanks in advance,



2010 S550. The steering column comes up to the bottom of the dash.




2011 — The steering column travel is limited by that ring that appears to limit the travel of the steering column.

cruiser02

I actually think yours may be broken and just needs a fix. I went down to check on mine and it goes all the way up. Mine is a 2012 so I doubt only 2011 would be an exception. Hope that helps!

BOTUS

maybe the 2013 one is a very high spec car ?

does it have radar cruise ? the very last ones could have "steering assist", so if it has this feature the column is likely a different one to cope with all the bits to added that safety feature... in which case it won't be something that should be swapped for a far lesser set up - as likely a headache in software and safety systems


other than that one could try to reset the column adjustment calibration thingy - if you get the column to lose the plot there's in out up down movement to reset - it can be down manually - but might need decent diagnostics to get it to forget and start again.....


I think its the former - try finding another lat one and compare

DLayne

Thank you both for the suggestions. I'm going to track down a 2011 over the weekend to see if there is a difference.

Have a great day!

Ultrakla$$ic

Seeking clarification..........are you wanting your steering wheel to telescope more IN AND OUT or are you wanting the steering wheel to GO UP and DOWN more??

Jaap

What @cruiser02 said.
Yours is just broken / stops too early.
(Stupid question) did you try to "force" it up again by pressing up again after is has topped out?

DLayne

My concern is "up and down" travel.

DLayne

I should be so lucky for this to be something "broken".
I'm starting to wonder if there were certain configuration that necessitated reduced steering column travel.