SL/R230: Steering wheel only goes in and out not up and down
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 181
Likes: 18
From: Cedar Park, Texas
2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, 2004 SL55, 2012 Lexus IS250, 2021 Toyota Highlander
Steering wheel only goes in and out not up and down
So today my 2004 SL55 decided that the steering wheel would not go up and down. Only in and out. I can hear like some kind of gear has broken and is clicking. Anyone ever taken the mechanism that controls the steering wheel apart before?
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Joined: Aug 2020
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From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
There is a coupler from the motor to the gearset that is usually the problem. Order one and replace it even if you have another problem. The job is not real fun because you have to contort yourself into position to work on it. Not difficult though.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 181
Likes: 18
From: Cedar Park, Texas
2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, 2004 SL55, 2012 Lexus IS250, 2021 Toyota Highlander
I'm guessing this? https://www.ebay.com/itm/176339831727
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 181
Likes: 18
From: Cedar Park, Texas
2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, 2004 SL55, 2012 Lexus IS250, 2021 Toyota Highlander
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 181
Likes: 18
From: Cedar Park, Texas
2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, 2004 SL55, 2012 Lexus IS250, 2021 Toyota Highlander
I'm still trying to figure out how to use WIS so I'm guessing I just need to remove that metal plate at the bottom of the steering column and I should be able to see the broken coupler at that point?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 365
From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
There is a pivot bolt with a clamp nut that attaches the column to the tilt gearbox. Remove it so that you can drop the column then take out the four bolts that attach the gearbox. That allows you to remove the gearbox, replace the coupler, and put everything back together.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 365
From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
It is typical Mercedes. The gearbox mechanism is machine tool quality, way overengineered. Then they put in a 10 cent plastic coupler for a failure point.
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