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Steering wheel

Started by macatron, 30 December 2008, 02:42 PM

macatron

Apologies if this has been posted before...

Does anyone know if it's possible to use the post-1978 (larger-spline) steering wheels on a pre-1978 steering shaft?  I came across a great deal on eBay.

The part number is the same...

Thanks,


Mike

WGB

I don't think so and have never heard of any sort of adapter.

It would not be too difficult to change the shaft (?steering column) to the later one.

Bill

BAR

If the reason for the change is to get a 'new' steering wheel, due to the fact that the old rubber one is just that 'old and rubber', you may find that it is a better exercise to go out and buy an AMG or other aftermarket steering wheel such as SAAS or MOMO.

All these wheels will attach to a BOSS, the Boss or adapter can be purchased to match the W116.

If you want a genuine Mercedes wheel, try buying a new one direct from your local MB dealer.

macatron

Thanks for the input...

The steering wheel in question was only $10.50 (US) and in much better shape.  My old wheel is so dry and cracked that it has lost all trace of the leather-like pattern that is supposed to be embossed in the rubber.  Nothing I've tried has helped.  I hate Armor All but tried that just because I felt dehydrated just looking at it.

Oh well...  I'll keep my eye out for another bargain.

Thanks!

aussiew116

Sorry to hijack your thread. But can anybody  tell me if a steering wheel from a 69-72 merc fit on a w116?

oscar

Quote from: aussiew116 on 08 February 2009, 07:33 AM
Sorry to hijack your thread. But can anybody  tell me if a steering wheel from a 69-72 merc fit on a w116?

Only if you have a pre 1978 w116.  Around that time they went to a larger spline but the early w116's have a 15mm spline same as the following:

W 111 ( 220b,220Sb, 220 SEb,Cabrio,Coupe )
W 111 ( 230S, 250SE ,280 SE, 280SE 3.5 )
W 112 ( 300SE,Cabrio,Coupe)
W 113 ( 250SL, 280SL )
W 108 ( 250S, 250SE, 280S, 280SE, 280SEL, 300SE )
W 109 ( 300SEL, 300SEL 3.5, 300SEL 6.3 )
W 114, W 115 ( all )

Here's an example (not mine) an early w116 with early interior sporting a w108 wheel

1973 350SE, my first & fave

aussiew116

Cool! Thanks for that. I want a white wheel on my 1974. Cheers!

aussiew116

Found a nice wheel to transfer over. Problem is when I went to remove it, I couldn't get it off and there wasn't any threads for the steering wheel puller to screw into. What the.....?

oscar

Is it the w116 wheel you can't get off?  Am I reading that right? 

If so, It's just one nut holding it on, I've forgotten what size off hand 19, 21mm perhaps.  But I had to use a rachet gun the first time I removed mine off the 350.  Every other wheel I've removed was very hard but I managed with a long breaker bar/ratchet handle and socket.
1973 350SE, my first & fave

macatron

#9
A breaker bar is what it took to remove the one on my '77, as well.  I couldn't budge it with my 1/2" ratchet. 

Hemersam

  A related question: did any of the 123s have a steering wheel with smaller diameter than the 116s? I love my '78 280SE, but man, that wheel is so BIG.   :-\
Hemersam

goldacre

Hi Hemersam, if you are chasing a smaller diameter wheel then you may want to track down a tiller off the W201 (190E Merc). I fitted one to my 450SEL and it works a treat provided your steering spline is the 21mm size. The following thread has all the juice.........

http://forum.w116.org/interiors-and-exteriors/steering-wheel-alternative/msg51432/#msg51432

Jules

12/1979 450 SEL 148K on clock (museum piece)
12/1986 Lotus Esprit Turbo 87K on clock 'Darling, look what Q has brought for us, isn't it nice' :)

Hemersam

  Jules: thanks very much for replying to my question; I appreciate it greatly and will investigate that possibility this week. I don't know if it's the best thing to "mess" with MBenz's designs, but my original 116 wheel is soooooo big; sometimes I feel like I'm trying to turn a bus around the corner. We shall see. Thanks again.
Hemersam
P.S. I'm also a bit curious as to what other models steering wheels would fit onto the 116. Anyone have other ideas.

TJ 450

MB steering wheels are supposed to be big... the small wheels on cars these days just aren't the same. It gives you maximum control of the ship. ;) 8)
Up until the W201, all MB steering wheels were similarly large.

Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

aussiew116

Quote from: oscar on 14 February 2009, 06:23 AM
Is it the w116 wheel you can't get off?  Am I reading that right? 

If so, It's just one nut holding it on, I've forgotten what size off hand 19, 21mm perhaps.  But I had to use a rachet gun the first time I removed mine off the 350.  Every other wheel I've removed was very hard but I managed with a long breaker bar/ratchet handle and socket.
I tryed to remove the wheel off the model prior to 116. I undone the nut, but it would not budge.