Call: 888-333-4642  

Revision [692]

This is an old revision of W124SteeringRing4Matic made by WebMaster on 2009-07-08 13:32:50.

 

Steering Wheel Contact Ring Replacement

on the 1990 300TE 4Matic (W124)

by pwogaman

6/14/09



Time for another pictorial: How to change a steering wheel contact ring.
This pictorial is on how to replace a steering wheel contact ring. I am replacing the standard contact ring with one removed from a 300E 4MATIC. The 4MATIC contact ring (p/n 140-464-28-28) is different from the standard contact ring (p/n 140-464-27-20) in that it has small magnets embedded in plastic surrounding the four visible copper rings. The magnets work with the 4MATIC computer steering sensor input. Other than the presence of the magnets the contact ring it is the same as any other and may even be used with a non-4MATIC vehicle.

This is not an instruction on how to remove the steering wheel from the vehicle or the airbag from the steering wheel.


This picture shows the standard contact ring installed in the steerting wheel. The RED line points to the two airbag rings and the BLUE line points to the two horn rings. This is the ring I will be replacing.
image

This picture is of the 4MATIC contact ring, with the GREEN line points to the magnet ring, the RED line points to the two airbag rings, and the BLUE line points to the two horn rings. Note the word 4MATIC on the lower left of the ring in the PURPLE circle. Again, this instruction will work for a non-4MATIC contact ring and a 4MATIC contact ring will work with a non-4MATIC vehicle.
image

This picture is of the underside of the 4MATIC contact ring. In this picture you can see the little magnets at the GREEN lines.
image

Here is the front of the steering wheel off the vehicle with the airbag already removed.
image

Begin by removing the four torx screws in the inner portion of the steering wheel with a T-25 torx tool.
image

Next gently push the wire saver grommet out of the wire pass through hole from inside to out (see PURPLE circle in next picture). It is split down the side. Remove it from the wires.
image
image

Next gently remove the two wires for the horn, one on the inside and one on the outside of the center (see RED circles). Pull the loose ends of these two wires through the pass-through hole - one will come in and the other will go out (see PURPLE circle). Once the horn wires are out of the hole there will be enough room to pull the airbag connection wire out as well - so do it.
image

Now remove the four outer torx screws, again with a T-25 torx tool (see BLUE circles). Note that you do not need to remove the fifth torx screw at the bottom center.
image

Next pull the inner workings out. Note that the two upper corner torx screws are still in place in the first picture, but rest assured they have been loosened.
image
image
image

Here is what you should have left of the steering wheel at this point. Note that the two torx screws (T-30) that secure the airbag have remained in the steering wheel. These are loose so set them aside for now; be careful not to loose them (see WHITE circles).
image

Now VERY gently insert a wedge between the contact ring and the steering wheel cover and loosen the covering from the contact ring all the way around.
image

Once the contact ring is loose it should look like this:
image

Remove the old contact ring, but take note of the wire placement.
image

Installation is pretty much the reverse. There are just a few points worth mentioning.

The four contact rings screw holes line up only one way with the steering wheel. Make sure they are lined up prior to assembling beyond the contact ring.
image

There are two tabs at the inside top of the steering wheel cover (see PURPLE circles).
image

These two tabs are held in place by the center piece when it is installed (see one of two in PURPLE circle).
image

Be sure not to forget the torx screws for the airbag (see ORANGE circle). I held them in place temporarily with some tape while I made sure the wires were all routed, and the two retaining tabs were secured properly.
image
image

Presto Chango - The finished product is now ready to install on my 4MATIC.
image


Discuss this DIY here.

-pwogaman

CategoryDiy
Valid XHTML :: Valid CSS: :: Powered by WikkaWiki



PeachParts, LLC all rights reserved 1999 -
PeachParts, LLC takes no responsibility whatsoever for any technical assistance offered by anyone. The Risk is 100% yours.