 How to replace steering wheel with one with paddles on
I finally managed to change my steering wheel (A171 460 22 03 9e37) on my slk55 2005 year model with the 7g tiptronic buttons on the back for the new amg 2007 steering wheel (A171 460 53 03 9e37) with the aluminium shift paddles on the back. There is also a 2006 non AMG model with black plastic paddles on (A 171 460 45 03 9E37)
Firstly i must say thanks to Danslk for his help.
To change the steering wheel:-
1. Move the steering wheel fully forward. Possibly lower the roof to allow easier access / more light. Next disconnext the battery. I then waited 1 hour to make sure the airbag system was deactivated (not sure if this is necessary or not but didn't want an airbag deploying or an airbag error when reconnecting battery).
2. Undo the two torx size 30 bolts on the back of the steering wheel. This releases the airbag unit which has five connectors on the back of it that need unplugging. Two on each side are for the buttons, these simply unplug and so does the one at the top back of the airbag. The two in the centre of the back of the airbag require the orange clips pulling up and then the two plugs can be pulled off. Put the airbag safely to one side.
3. Undo the large hex bolt (10mm) holding the wheel on. This is very tight, best for one person to hold the wheel while another undoes it. Once undone the wheel will simply pull off.
4. The new wheel was a direct replacement. Simply align the wheel with the marks on the steering column and replace the bolt (adding a little threadlock). Tighten to 80nm torque.
5. Plug the two new paddle cables back into the steering wheel (they are the same connectors as the buttons have). Plug the small connector back onto the top of the airbag. Finally the green and yellow plugs push back onto the centre of the airbag and the two orange clips on them need pushing down hard to hold the plugs back on.
6. Place the airbag back into place and retighten the two t30 torx bolts on the back of the steering wheel.
7. Reconnect the battery and all is done.
Finally i bought a fineliner permanent black pen and coloured the UP and DOWN engraving on the paddles to match the buttons on the steering wheel. In my opinion this then looked a lot better.
Pictures below show,
1. New steering wheel before fitting
2. Old Steering wheel on car before being removed
3. Bolt to remove steering wheel
4. Airbag
5. Air bag connectors (showing orange conenctors that need pulling out to remove sensors) |