W210 Steering Wheel Removal

[ManicMoov]

I think I need to replace my cruise control switch on my 2002 E320cdi W210.

I believe that this involves removing the steering wheel and then the steering column shroud.

Has anyone ever done this before?

Could you offer any advise before I dive in?

The last time I removed a steering wheel was on my Mk3 Ford Escort, so I have never had to contend with airbags before, should this worry me?

Thanks

Steve

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Don't know about the specifics of this car, but normally with airbags you have to disconnect them from the battery for a few hours. Its incredibly unlikely that one will go off in your face! Also the nut that secures the steering wheel will be very tight.

 

[230K]

Hi

Removal of the wheel is reasonable easy allow you need a long torx key (the size i forgot to write down). Better trying to get a set with long legths like an allen ket set with splines.
This is used round the back of the wheel there are two of these to remove. After that its quite simple really although you need a big allen key to remove the wheel. Airbag just unplugs.

230K

 

[pluggers]

I did this a while ago on a w202 very easy.I did a few photos for someone else after I replaced mine but you should get the jist of things.IT only covers removing the wheel & airbag tho and nothing else.


The tool kit I bought from a computer market for £10,It has all the the torx bits needed plus all manner of security bits The torx bits need to be a minimum length of 75mm long to reach inside the airbag,(if yours is the same as mine which i think it is you will need a T30 bit).

T30 torx bit.

What I also needed was a 10mm allen key for the steering wheel bolt.Didn't fancy brused knuckles so bought a 10mm allen key and used an angle grinder too cut the top part off and then use a 10mm socket and lever.

The location of the torx screw is at the back of the wheel,Just a normal thread so can be undone as normal.

When the bag is out you need to remove the wires the big red one pulls off the bag itself,The other 2 you will need to push in a small pin at the top of the spade connector to release it,Assuming now that everything looks the same as mine.(Do not remove the wires from the base of the steering coloum)

Follows on......

 

[pluggers]

This is the wheel without the airbag.

This is the wheel removed and roughly the setup used to undo the allen bolt.You will need someone to hold the steering wheel whilst you are undoing the centre bolt as its very tight.

 

[C220GJS]

Precautions when handling airbags.
(1)Turn off ignition and remove key.
(2)Disconnect battery earth lead and position away from terminal.
(3)Wait 15mins for capacitive charge in system to dissipate.
(4)Always store airbag with padded side uppermost.
(5)After reinstalling make sure no one is in the vehicle when you reconnect the battery earth lead.

 

[ManicMoov]

Whoops!

Thanks for the response, that was a real help.

However, I think I've made a rookie error.

After I had sucessfully removed the airbag (without incident), I had the great idea of turning the steering wheel to the level position so that during the re-fitting of the wheel I could line it up correctly.

Well this obviously involved me turning the igntition to release the steering lock, it must have been at this point that the car realised the the airbag was no longer present, because even when everything had been re-installed correctly the SRS light is now permanently on.

Ho do I reset this light, does it involve a trip to my local dealership?

Thanks for all the help.

 

[severn]

Yes it will need to be reset by a dealer or indie via a star diagnosics machine