2000 E430 - Looking for installation help or suggestions for installing replacment OEM steering wheel. Any help would be appreciated. Otherwise, will take to MB dealer to install.
Vehicle: E320, SLK320, MKV Jetta TDI, Mini Cooper S
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,678
RE: Installation Help For Steering Wheel
Remove the airbag with a torque screw driver from the back of the steering wheel. Unplug the airbag connections. Use an allen head wrench to take the knut out that holds the steering wheel on, it takes a lot of force to break it loose. Remove steering wheel and install new one in the same position as the old one and put everything back. Just don't have the key switch on while removing the airbag or turn it on while it is disconnected.
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Thanks for the information. So, as long as the key is not in the ignition, I will not have an issue with the airbag deploying? That is my major concern. Any other advice on this would be greatly appreciated - i.e. what to not do !
I think E-Klasse just about covered all you'll need to know, but I have to emphasize the "fit the steering straight" bit,..... I drove a whole day with a slight left bias[:(!]
Stupid question: But with the centre allen nut, do you turn it clockwise or anti-clockwise to un-loosen? Seems tight like anything and it just wont budge either way.
The allen head nut is unscrewed by turning counter clockwise. The size of the allen head wrench required is 10mm (male wrench, female nut!). The size of the Torx driver required is T27 (you'll need a 50-80 mm length driver). I would recommend you telescoping the steering wheel to its maximum extended position to give you room to operate the Torx driver. I would also recommend disconnecting the battery, just to be on the safe side with respect to the air bag. You might need to re-synch some stuff after you disconnect and re-connect the battery, but I think it is worth it. To Storm's point, make sure you line up the two small balck dots on the steering wheel and the column to get it straight (unbiased).
There are two separate wires: One is connected to the air bag and the other is connected to the circuit board that is part of the air bag assembly. The second one is used to control the steering wheel buttons. Both wires have connectors that snap right off and on.
UNPLUG YOUR BATTERY BEFORE DOING ANYTHING WITH THE AIRBAG and wait 20 minutes or so for the airbag power module to lose its power. These are designed to work briefly w/the engine off, too. (I just noticed the original post was in 2004.)
ALSO: Make sure you have your radio code and you will probably have to reprogram your window switches or at least the Express down/up feature - your manual should have that detailed.
Linear Mode
