Original W107 Steering Wheel Spline/Hub?

[amillionaire]

Hi all,

I recently purchased an 1981 380SLC which had a Momo steering wheel installed. However, I want to replace the wheel with the original steering wheel (which the previous owner gave me) so I can see the entire speedometer.

However, when attempting to replace the wheel, I found that the original wheel did not fit. Now this may be a stupid question but, is it possible that I all I have to do is remove the boss hub that has been installed (for the momo steering wheel) and then the original steering wheel will fit OR are there other parts (i.e. new spline, etc) that I require to put the original wheel back on?

Apologies if this seems like a silly question.

Kind regards,

Amila

[AMG]

There are 2 sizes of splines in the w107.

There is the early 'small' spline which also appears on 114's and other earlier models, and there is the 'large' spline which is also fitted to 124,126,210, 140, 202, 203 etc.

How do you tell the difference? simple.

the large spline has a countersunk head socket screw which pulls the hub onto the splines shaft.

the early small spline shaft has a normal flat headed bolt with a 10x1.25mm thread (if I recall correctly -I may be getting mixed up on this one) which obviously doesn't have the countersink relief in the wheel.

If you're trying to fit a large spline OE wheel onto a small spline shaft, it's not going to happen. You need an early OE wheel. They are visually obviously different and much harder to locate than a late wheel.

Momo hub - if genuine, will have the number 6001 stamped into the lower outside ring - if it is the small spline hub. if it is the large spline hub, then it should have 6002. Many people are not aware that 6002 is the correct hub for a large spline shaft. I've posted this elsewhere before also.
If you have part 6004 installed on your steering column, it is not the correct part (201/124) and the steering wheel offset from the colum will be incorrect, and this also leads to you not being able to correctly see the instruments.

Momo also make an offset hub spacer, which many owners also fit to raise the wheel centre when the wheel is in the 12 o'clock position. Personally I'm not a fan, but it also aids in clearly reading gauges in some vehicles.

[amillionaire]

Thanks for the reply.

I believe I have a small spline with a large OE wheel, and therefore as you predicted when we removed the boss kit, the wheel did not fit.

I will post photos when working on the car again in the next few weeks and hopefully we can determine what is needed.

Will keep you updated.