You need a long torx to get to the screws and its not the easiest task to finally get the bit into the screw head, I know took some fiddling around in there before I finally got it to catch.

 

Hi David:

I had to make my own special M-B Air Bag removal tool when I changed out my steering wheel to a custom one.

What I did was buy an inexpensive Torx screwdriver, and then cut the handle off from the shaft. :eek

I had to do this because of tight clearance issues behind the steering wheel.

At the end of the shaft, I ground it down to a Hex-shape that would fit nicely into a 5 mm socket.

Then the 5 mm socket was used with my mini-ratchet to remove and replace the two bolts that hold the Air Bag cover in place.

This home-built specialty tool worked perfectly. :smile

Pics are included for you.

Hope this is of help.

God Bless, Arctic

 

Excellent Illustration!!!



I couldn't get the photos copy to this post but they're in the 3rd post in this thread.....Look at what a through job Arctic did explaining what he did & how easy it is to understand what he's doing!!! :angel

Take note those of you who are communication challenged....& you know who you are!! :eek

 

Thank you for the responses those tools look great... I used the following a 3 1/2 inch T30 Torx "bit" and a right angle screw driver, but still could not do it. Will try again tomorrow ... However now I am not sure I am keeping the steering Wheel I got.... I am looking at some others...

But definitely will change to wood/leather

David

 

David:

In a post by Al Lydon (for his 1996 SL320), he wrote about using a hex-shafted TORX bit, too.... but he had to GRIND down the shoulders of the hex-shaft near the head of the TORX bit in order to make it fit properly.

So, you may want to try grinding the shaft of your 3 1/2" TORX bit as well.

The tool I made came from a slim-shafted screwdriver, and was noticeably thinner in diameter than a hex-shafted bit.

Here are my "Before" and "After" pics of the steering wheels for my 1995 SL500.

I really love the look and feel of the leather & burl wood steering wheel.

The new steering wheel also has custom 'grooves' cut into the back side of the wheel that your fingers wrap around.... a super-comfortable grip, especially for long rides.

Subsequently to my taking these pictures, I added a black-&-silver Mercedes-Benz logo medallion that covers the 3-Pointed Star in the center of the steering wheel.... looks really good.

I should post a pic of this medallion on the steering wheel, in the next day or so, for your consideration, .

Good luck on your project.

God Bless, Arctic

 

i have basically the same steering wheel just darker wood to match the Silver Arrow interior. I think it adds more class with the wood on the wheel and its definitely comfortable.

 

Hi arctic,
Love the medallion/emblem...did you deactivate/un-plug the air bag function? Otherwise what happens to the medallion when the air bag deploys?

David

 

Hi David:

If the Air Bag were to deploy, I might get a free M-B logo tattoo on my forehead. LOL :eek

In all reality, the medallion is made from paper-thin aluminum and is more of a sticker than a medallion, and poses less of a hazard than the thicker 3-Point Star Medallions you see in the later M-B Model Years, like Vicbur's 1998 SL (pic attached).

From my research, it's not something I'm concerned with at all. :smile

Hope this helps.

God Bless, Arctic

 

I think if your airbag deploys, the last thing to worry about is the medallion or 3 point star....

Artic...i have a 2002 SL

 

Victor:

Sorry about that, my good friend..... I was looking at Rocketeer's post with his 1998 SL, instead of yours.

Nice Silver Arrow you have there, Vic.

God Bless, Arctic

 

No worries Arctic... Thanks, i have so enjoyed owning this car.

 

Arctic - I really like your steering wheel - looks sharp!! Where did it originate from? Thanks,
Jim

 

Jim:

The steering wheel originally was posted on eBay by Fanatical Art, but then this USA-based Seller seemed to disappear.

I then found the exact same steering wheel on eBay that came directly from the manufacturer which, I recall, was based in Changhua City, Taiwan.

Anyhow, it was the owner of the company that I dealt with, and he was extremely helpful...... I think his name was "Han".

The quality of the Burl Wood is just awesome, as is the hand stitching of the leather portion of the steering wheel.

If he's still in business, he's most likely still advertising on eBay. I'd recommend doing a search there.

I've included a pic of the wheel that was advertised at the time I bought it.

Hope this is of some help.

God Bless, Arctic

 

When I removed the air bag as part of an evaporator replacement on a 1995, I used a #25 Torx.