Mercedes-Benz Steering Column Broken Dogbone Repair DIY

If the steering column on your Mercedes-Benz no longer travels up and down, the problem could be a broken plastic piece on the steering column.  This repair is labor-intensive, but the part is worth only a few dollars.

VALID FOR: Memory steering column with motorized control.

MODELS: R171, W203, W204, W209, W211, W219, R230, W240. WORK STEPS AS SHOWN IN W203:

What you will need:

• 1/ Remove center console (6 screws)
• 2/ Remove dashboard end cover (unclip)
• 3/ Remove light switch (1 screw)
• 4/ Loosen ignition switch (ring)
• 5/ Remove cluster (2 hooks)
• 6/ Loosen under dash panel drivers side (3 screws)
• 7/ Remove head unit / radio (4 screws for COMAND, 2 for radio)

8/ Remove the lower half of the dashboard (drivers side)
– 3 screws radio area
– 1 screw near knee – bottom side
– 1 screw near the outer vent
– 1 screw near the bottom of the fuse holder (W203)

Other work steps as shown in the photos.

The broken part and the new part are side-by-side.

Part number: A203 462 06 78

Dashboard trim parts removed. Also removed the passenger side so that I could repair the footwell flaps levers on the heater box (best time to replace those fragile levers)

The ignition switch and light switch hang down. Also shown is the European vacuum switch not used in the USA.

Cover panel removed from the area where parts will be removed.

Stability bar bolts shown in red, cross-bolt from vertical adjustment shown in green.

Stability bar removed (2 bolts)

Vertical adjustment assembly + steering column

Remove 6 screws from the cluster area. Part in the red rectangle is the alignment pin.

Disengage vertical adjustment assembly from main plate (4 screws)

Main plate bolt (x4)

Loosen bolt clamp (1 hex screw) and unwind from the main bolt. Remove the vertical adjustment bolt from the assembly. There are two black spacers on the bolt (one shown).

How your steering column will appear at this point

Vertical adjustment assembly with new collar in place (spline). Test the thread by spinning the adjustment arms to see if one of the arms has locked. Loosen with gentle pressure.

Push assembly back into place and mate collar with drive motor. Install all parts back into place.

Your steering column now goes up and down again. Work steps may vary for other models.

We hope you find the Mercedes-Benz Steering Column Broken “Dogbone” Repair DIY guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Mercedes-Benz.