63 230 sl steering wheel

[jszeman1]

I am puzzeled.  I have a 63 230sl round horn ring and steering wheel with ribs.  My research tells me it should not have ribs!  It makes no sense that the wheel was changed.  Any thoughts?  The car is number 671.

[rwmastel]

According to this thread, you have an unusual set of parts:
http://index.php?topic=6502

Perhaps it was changed.  These steering wheels do deteriorate over time and do develop cracks and even break apart.  How long have you had the car, and how much of its history do you know?

[66andBlue]

Hi John,
there is no easy answer. What is known from Engelen's book is that with chassis number 2035 the round horn ring was changed to one with a flat top and the steering wheel was reinforced to prevent vibrations. The assumption is that the wheel received grooves at that time but that is by no means proven.
What makes you think that your wheel was not changed out over the years? Similar wheels were also installed on other models of that time.  It would be nice to have a picture of a documented original early 230SL wheel. The info and pictures that I posted in the topic mentioned by Rodd came from the German web site  [http://www.pagodentreff.de/diskussionsforum/t2249-lenkraeder-ausfuehrungen.html] but the author provided no proofs for his statements.

[jszeman1]

The steering wheel has the correct round ring and correct pad for an early car.  I would tend to think that if the wheel was changed that the probability of getting a wheel with the flat ring would be more likely.  Will the round ring from an early car fit on the ribbed steering wheel?

[66andBlue]

quote:Originally posted by jszeman1
...  Will the round ring from an early car fit on the ribbed steering wheel?

Yes, both rings will fit. The threaded pins that go through the holes in the center spine of the wheel are in exactly the same position.

[perry113]

Hi John.

I love the round ring. I can't wait to see your car done.

By the way the German Car Show at the Saratoga Auto Museum is this Saturday. Let's pray it doesn't rain. Hope to see you there.

Peter Perry
1965 230SL White Ivory/Green