Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Body, interior, paint, chrome, and cosmetic items => Topic started by: cbenz1 on March 23, 2012, 17:14:32

Title: Ivory steering hub crooked
Post by: cbenz1 on March 23, 2012, 17:14:32

My recently purchased 1971 280SL has an ivory steering wheel that the owner replaced the original black one with.  I like it but the Mercedes logo is the hub is crooked when mounted on the steering wheel.  Any ideas how to fix it?  It looks like a sealed piece.

Thanks
Chuck

Title: Re: Ivory steering hub crooked
Post by: 66andBlue on March 23, 2012, 18:05:20

Welcome aboard Chuck!
Not sure what you mean with "crooked", can you explain a bit more?
But if you mean that the wheel is not parallel with the dashboard then relax. You have just discovered one of the many idiosyncrasies of our cars.
Here is one thread where this was discussed previously:  http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=4444.0

Title: Re: Ivory steering hub crooked
Post by: cbenz1 on March 23, 2012, 20:15:25

OK - what I mean is the plastic center logo inside the steering wheel (inside vinyl) when mounted to steering wheel does not line up.  The logo is tilted to the left so when I drive I am looking at a crooked logo - very frustrating. 

Think I could pry off and re-glue?  I see in previous forum post that I can buy new for $245, but would rather fix mine.

That said - WHAT A CAR - tight, no rattles, handles well.  Quite amazing for a 41 year old car. I have another old car from that era that is creaky, rattles and feels old.

Title: Re: Ivory steering hub crooked
Post by: KevinC on March 23, 2012, 21:53:30

Chuck,

You should be able to gently pull the horn pad off and get to the center emblem through the reverse side of the pad. Try to grasp with your fingers evenly spread around the back of the pad and pull off from the steering column by hand.

Kevin

Title: Re: Ivory steering hub crooked
Post by: 66andBlue on March 23, 2012, 22:30:29

Take a look at the photos at the end of the pad assembly process: http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Interior/SteeringWheel
The three cylindrical plastic mounting stubs in the round base plate must have the correct alignment with the center star.

Title: Re: Ivory steering hub crooked
Post by: cbenz1 on March 24, 2012, 12:12:36

I can easily get the hub off.  It is the emblem that is issue.  The back of mine does not look like the one in tech manual.  The reverse of it looks like this one (second pic). http://www.authenticclassics.com/250SL-280SL-Ivory-color-Steering-Wheel-Hub-Pad-p/auth-002786.htm

I could pry it off but risk damaging it so may leave it for now and spend the money on other things that need fixing.

Title: Re: Ivory steering hub crooked
Post by: J. Huber on March 24, 2012, 13:14:03

My center vinyl hub was originally attached to the plastic backplate with a piece of double sided adhesive. Once that stopped sticking the whole thing could turn out of whack.

Title: Re: Ivory steering hub crooked
Post by: cbenz1 on March 26, 2012, 13:47:52

That was it - took a small screw driver and gently pried it off.  Pprobably would have been better if it was warmed in sun a bit...only minor damage is one very small area of paint missing from the screwdriver - should be able to touch up with some ivory paint ---- THANKS! :D