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:
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Procedure for Replacing the Steering Column Dogbone
- 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 the 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 (driver 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 are 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 that is not used in the USA.
The cover panel is removed from the area where parts will be removed.
Stability bar bolts are shown in red, and cross-bolts from vertical adjustment are shown in green.
Stability bar removed (2 bolts)
Vertical adjustment assembly + steering column
Remove six screws from the cluster area. Part of the red rectangle is the alignment pin.
Disengage the vertical adjustment assembly from the main plate (4 screws)
Main plate bolt (x4)
Loosen the 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.
Hi. Many thanks for this article. Can you give torque specs for the screws and bolts etc?