AMG Paddle Shift DIY

[Simon_M]

After various threads about the paddles and the airbag removal, I thought I would post my DIY today. I was quite nervous as some threads talk of using Dremel tools and all sorts of gubbins. I had been told these would be a straight swap, and luckily they were!

Part number is A171 267 00 46
£111.55 inc VAT

Target vehicle - 2009 CLK 280 Sport.


Before:

After:

A very simple swap, took about 30mins going cautiously and taking photos.

I loosened the two Torx T30 screws and then disconnected the battery. This allowed me to turn the wheel easier to access the screws. Took a bit of time as the screwdriver I used was too long and kept snagging on the interior. A thread I found elsewhere said use a long Torx screwdriver so I bought one - I'd go for a smaller one say 10cm long. Thanks to responses to me 'airbag removal' thread I made sure not to strip the screw heads.

I also decided not to disconnect the airbag to minimise any hassle on my 10 day old car. The paddles were still easy to access and remove whilst holding the airbag, the connecting wires were long enough to replace the paddles without removing the airbag.

The new parts:

Wheel with airbag removed. Paddle retaining screws and electrical connections circled in red.

Comparison of old vs. new. Note the same fitting and same plug shape.

The paddles were a direct swap, so a straight in-out job. Refitting the airbag was a bit trickier as the Torx driver couldn't get purchase on the screws properly. I was very nervous about stripping the screws. I only tightened them losely, then reconnected the battery and started up so I could move the steering wheel easier to finally tighten the two Torx screws holding the airbag into the wheel.

Job's a good un.

Quite expensive for a cosmetic mod, but I am happy with it. I might be able to reclaim a few quid by eBaying the old paddles.

Simon

 

[C43AMG]

The reason Dremmels where mentioned was that those Paddles where not a direct swap, you are lucky that you had the correct wheel.

 

[Simon_M]

Yes, I gather there are two different mountings for the paddles, oblong (mine) or oval.

S

 

[jonathan]

Well fair play to you

You did it, and without getting an airbag in your face. They look really good. Cant see my wife letting me dismantle ours. looking at the clocks it look like you've passed the magical 500miles we spoke about. So it lookes like you can go out and test them properly now.

Well done 10 out of 10 regards Jon.

 

[Simon_M]

Ha Ha, yes now into redline territory!!!

Wife was very. very, very against me doing it and now says they look cr@p as there is no other aluminium in the interior (err, around the dials my dear!)


But I like 'em...

S

PS Anyone care to tell me why the car shows 580miles before the mod, and after the mod only shows 579? Very strange...

 

[jonathan]

Ha Ha, yes now into redline territory!!!

Wife was very. very, very against me doing it and now says they look cr@p as there is no other aluminium in the interior (err, around the dials my dear!)


But I like 'em...

S

PS Anyone care to tell me why the car shows 580miles before the mod, and after the mod only shows 579? Very strange...

i think its to do with the flux capacitor or maybe a worm hole or did you use sellotape to hold them on really . you also took 41 minutes to do it and you have nice granite worktops. you can tell so much from a photo best thing to do is poke the wife in the eyes and she wont be able to tell the difference also you get to drive the car

P.S. i think they look nice anyway. :bannana:

 

[Simon_M]

 

[mw_C32]

What a great mod.

Very impressed. Well done.

Mark.

 

[jonathan]

Hi i think it must be a woman thing. I just showed your pics to my wife to see if she'd be happy to have it done to ours. she also said she doesn't like them. It could be that she doesn't want her car taken apart although it's more likely she doesn't like change. looks like my wife's going to have bad eyes also. Maybe when the cars a bit older she might let me play.

regards jon.

 

[Simon_M]

Come on Jon, lay it down....who paid for it? who negotiated the price? and in my case who scrapped their beloved 12 year old car for it?

My beloved grumbled that I put the AMG pedals on the CLS and then was all excited to see them as standard on the CLK!!! women....

 

[jonathan]

Your right i paid for it,
I negotiated the price,
I chose the car,
I chose the engine size,

But being a woman she holds all the cards

I cant cook,
I cant clean,
I cant work the washing machine,
And i cant afford an affair

On the other hand she go's to America every December with her mother for a week so this could be my time

 

[BenzedUP]

Will these aluminium paddle shifts fit a C55 AMG steering wheel?

 

[BenzedUP]

I'm kinda guessing they will as this C55 has them;

Maundrell and co ltd : Mercedes C55 AMG C55

 

[Alps]

post a pic of ur wheel

 

[BenzedUP]

It's a standard C55AMG one;

Close up;

 

[Alps]

you might be able to retrofit the paddles, will mean dremelling, OR you should be able to fit a steering wheel with paddles, might be worth dropping steve MBenznl a quick email asking what can be fitted.

 

[BenzedUP]

you might be able to retrofit the paddles, will mean dremelling, OR you should be able to fit a steering wheel with paddles, might be worth dropping steve MBenznl a quick email asking what can be fitted.

Don't really want to change the steering, i've already bought some AMG paddles which im looking to fit but don't really know who can fit them?:s

Will drop Steve MBenznl a PM.

 

[Alps]

Actually, give the guys at comand online a call, i think they done it for a member called Tudu a few years back

 

[Simon_M]

This is a blast from the past!

They quoted me for a direct swap but I gambled on a DIY....

 

[BenzedUP]

Actually, give the guys at comand online a call, i think they done it for a member called Tudu a few years back

I already have about 3 or 4 months ago, and they said It can't be swaped you need a new steering and the one the Tudu has they quoted me over 1K if I remember rightly.

I can't justify paying over 1K for just a steering wheel, I know I can just swap the buttons with he paddle shifts...

I bought brand new OEM AMG paddle shifts from a friend which cost me £85, now all I need is somebody who can fit them fit me