Mercedes R107 SL ignition barrel, turn signal indicator and steering column removal

This is a detailed video showing how to remove the ignition lock, turn signal indicator stalk and steering column from an early Mercedes R107. At the end of the video we show the cheapest place to buy a new turn signal indicator switch if yours has stopped working properly.

[@joppebruyninckx4433]

Watch closely how you clock the actual steering shaft inside the steering column. You can put them in 2 ways, rotated 180 degrees or 0 degrees. If you put it in rotated 180 degrees by accident (as I did), your blinker cancellation will work erratically (at 25 to and 25 past the hour in stead of 10 to and 10 past the hour.
This seems OK when you’re testing it when parked, but when driving does not work correctly.

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Thank you for your comment. That is a VERY good point - I will remember this. Mike

[@RA-dh1tb]

I want to change my steering coupler and access it through the footwell versus going under the car. If I remove the steering wheel and loosen the bolts at 1:30, will I have enough room to loosen and remove the steering coupler?

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

What car do you have? Mike

[@TonyLiveTV]

Another great video Mike.

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Another greatly appreciated +ve comment…..helps me see past the rust. Mike

[@heitmaja1]

Excellent video!

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Thanks for your ongoing support. Mike

[@MJR67]

Morning, me again :). Trying to remove the steering wheel-day 3. 10 hex bold is on so tight my hex bolt tool has shattered, then took power tool to hex bolt, turned into a torx which did not loosen the bolt. Have applied heat, copious amounts of bolt buster. Still nothing. Today I tried a reverse thread nut and brute force, reverse nut tool shattered. Increasingly lost for solutions beyond drilling out the bolt. I have also prayed to all known gods . Any tips? Many thanks.M

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Can you send me a photo of the bolt/steering wheel. [e-mail].
Remind me what model and year the car is....and also where you live.
Those bolts are not usually in there too tight....unless of course someone thought it would be a good idea to use Loctite. Here are my top tips:
1. Use sockets designed for impact drivers - they are less likely to shatter and wont mess up the head of your bolt. I speak from experience!!
2. Sometimes an induction torch is a better way of getting heat into a bolt rather than an open flame. The Induction torch will heat bolt to red hot in seconds without damaging the surrounding 'stuff'. See 1.05 in video below:
czcams.com/video/zW2IceJ8fGM/video.html
3. Sometimes freeze spray works better than heat. Wurth have a product that I have bought...but yet to use:
eshop.wurth.co.uk/Rost-Off-Blue-Ice-rust-remover-RUSTREM-ROST-OFF-BLUE-ICE-400ML/0893241.sku/en/GB/GBP/?CampaignName=SR007
Mike

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Congrats on getting that bolt out - see my reply. Mike

[@celts153]

Good job ! Easy now to remove with your explanations. 👍
One question, why did you change all that in your car ? The steering column seems in good shape just a bit of paint

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Thanks for your comment. The steering column on the car was rusty both inside and out plus somebody had spliced the horn wires….. Plus all the bolts holding it in place were rusty. I thought it would be a five minute job to change it but as you know these things really go to plan! Mike