C W205 steering column cowling

[evilweasel]

Hello folks - I also posted this on ‘the other forum’ but wonder that to satisfy my curiosity if anyone out there with a w205 would do me a favour and take a photo of the underside of their steering column cowl, where it enters the underside of the dashboard. The reason why I ask is that I’m concerned that MB service have not replaced a lower bellows cover or something similar after doing a recent clock spring recall... On mine, the upper leatherette bellows cover is present, but underneath there’s a hole through which you can see the steering column and bracketry etc... not sure if this is normal, I only just noticed today, as I could feel cold air descending from the hole after this morning’s frosty start! Mine’s the one that adjusts electrically so maybe it’s a slightly different design, but I just don’t want to believe that MB designed the column/dash interface like this....

 

[Uncle Benz]

It's normal. I looked at mine today, and it is rather an unsightly "hole", but you can't see it unless you go looking.

 

[evilweasel]

Thanks for this. Probably a cost cutting measure on MBs part, as I’m sure my previous mercs had proper covers around their steering columns...

 

[Uncle Benz]

You are not wrong there. The whole centre console slab is held on with just two screws. When you lift the top piece away it reveals a big empty cavern. It almost has an echo. They never used to be this cheap.

 

[Pitsmoor Col]

clock spring recall ???

 

[Uncle Benz]

clock spring recall ???

I've had nothing either