Steering wheel hub

[JimEast]

My old steering wheel had a spline hole in the middle. I somehow have ended up with a large round part that fits on the same spline on the steering column and which has five bolts on the top of it. This would take a steering wheel with five holes in it to attach to that piece. Can any one explain what this is all about?

[BobH]

I'm no expert and have never seen one, but this could be a hub to take a Nardi wooden rimmed wheel.  If you search "Nardi" you'll find pictures and all sorts of information on them

[stickandrudderman]

The steering wheel in your photo is an early version wheel whereas the hub is for a late version wheel.

[MikeSimon]

The large black hub was called a "Pralltopf" and the intention was to absorb an impact from a body through deformation of the metal. Basically the effect of a collapsible column. My 1971 SL has it. Don't know when MB started to put these in.

[lreppond]

The large black hub was called a "Pralltopf" and the intention was to absorb an impact from a body through deformation of the metal. Basically the effect of a collapsible column. My 1971 SL has it. Don't know when MB started to put these in.

The type III steering appeared in 1968 along with the collapsible hub.  I believe every 280 came equipped with it as well as some late 250’s.  The hub and the steering wheel are mated to each other and cannot be used with other styles.

Finding a hub for your specific wheel will be through the secondary market.  To the best of my knowledge it is NLA through normal channels.

[BobH]

Every day is a school day on here, constantly learning new things

[Jonny B]

The hub was changed to the collapsable unit with all the big item changes at 2980 for the 250 SL. From the list of changes published in Frank Mallory's Mercedes Collector and reprinted in Pagoda Notes - the changes were for all cars. There were a number US specific items also changed at that point to meet the US Department of Transportation requirements.

I found one other steering hub change noted - this was for the 280 SL VIN ending 18851 - Impact hub (collapsible collar) of steering wheel now with 0.6 mm thickness.

[Benz Dr.]

And they actually work too. I saw a hub once that was collapsed on one side after a very heavy front left impact that wiped out the grill, bumper, hood, nose panel, left head light, rad, left front fender, inner fender, front bumper reinforcement, steering wheel, hub, windshield, cooling fan, power steering pump, battery, and probably other stuff I couldn't see.

This was over 10 years ago and they wanted too much for it. Oddly, I sold a parts car to a body shop and they used my car to fix it.