1983 300SD
Last weekend ignition key stopped turning. Key goes in and out, but will not turn without force. (Was doing valve job when it happened)

Took out plastic panel on lock (thanks to PO), did not drop steering wheel or remove instrument cluster.

Inserted key, wiggled with channel locks and inserted 1.5 mm allen wrench in hole when key was at "1".

Now, do I need the anti-theft ring special tool (126-0714) to remove anti theft ring, or is there another way?

Please help me do this without screwing up a really nice car.

the ring should just screw off after you have the allen key all the way in the hole

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1983 300SD (daily driver)
1991 420SEL (work in progress)
1979 300SD (future replacement for 83 SD)

RIP:
1983 300SD (totalled)
1986 420SEL

On mine the outer Tube around the tumbler also came of just turning it by hand. Also on Mine the Chrome Ring insert into the Dash near that Tube is gone and that gives you more room to grab the Tube.

I also noticed when I was trying to get the Tumbler into the Right position as I turned the Tumbler I came to what looked like the Hole; but, it turned out to be a Roll Pin in the Tumbler. As I turned the Tumbler further I found the correct Hole.
In My case I used a Paper Clip to stick into the Hole.

The outer Tumbler Sleeve on mine did not turn until I stuck that Paper Clip deep into that Hole.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I need a measurement to know how far to put the allen wrench down the hole.

Otherwise I am not accomplishing anything.

Please, a useful unit of measurement. . .

I have removed mine recently but I never measured how far u need to insert the tool. Remembering what I did I'd say atleast an inch. Since this is part art and part science doing that you are doing here are a few hints.

1. My 300SD '82 had a small wood trim panaly around the key area, you need to remove it so you can get your big thumb/fingers around to collar that U need to screw out, CCW, with key insterted in posibion one.

2. There are 2 tiny holes behing the hole you see from the outside.

3. The hole you want is the hole on the right.

4. This is how I remember doing it. I turned the Key 90 degress, CW, then very slowly put in ur Poker and slightly go back CCW. It should slide a good bit in, little over an inch, but I never measured it.

5. The little detents you see, postion 1,2,3 etc are detents where the key points, not the inspection access, poking hole.

6. This is frustrating to do even if you have practice.

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1982 300SD

If you plan on replacing the Steering Lock and tumber, both, you can search my posts as I recently did this job and did a write up on both. If you are replacing the tumbler, then I suggest you order one from Mercedes dealer as they can get you one where one key fit all locks on car. If you purchase one from Pelican, you will only get one key, this I returned to Pelican and ordered Ign. tumbler from Dealer. $70 about.

The steering lock assembly and ign. sw. I got from Pelican at about $160, ouch! but my steering lock and ign. sw were shot, nothing else I could do.

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1982 300SD

I had this happen to me just as I finished my auto to manual swap, talk about frustrating!

I followed Diesel Giant tips, he has a fantastic write up here on the whole process-

http://dieselgiant.com/repairignitionlock.htm

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1983 300TD - 202k with 5 speed Getrag conversion

Key broke in lock. Tried to use too much force.

Can I remove the entire locking mechanism with the tumbler frozen and replace with new lock, tumbler etc.? What will this entail?

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Caveman time..

You need three things:
#1. Steering must turn.
#2. Ignition electrical switch must turn on/off.
#3. No shutoff vacuum leak = mark the hose positions and insert a golf T in each.

I am not going to detail cluster removal or dismounting the column.
IMO there is no reason to remove the steering wheel, having done this operation more often than I want to remember..

Break the three aluminum ear tabs, the switch screws go into these = once broken the switch falls out.


Loosen the clamp.
Here is the locking pin you need to beat to death = pound it in far enough and the lock slides out of the column.




This person drilled the hardened pin.
W126 300SD ignition steering lock failure lost keys

Ignition lock cylinder, not the tumbler.....

Ignition/Steering Lock snafu




Ignition Switch problem 1981 300 SD.




removing ignition switch






.

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Tumbler stuck, wheel locked.
Where do I go from here?

See the 2nd pic in post #9. That pin needs to be drilled or ground down to the extent that when you loosen the Clamp that holds the Steering Colum Lock in you can pull the Steering Colum Lock assembly out.

Members have said this is easier to do if you drop the Steering Colum Down. But, I have never done this before.
Better to consult the threads Hunter posted.

Othe Members have drilled through the Lock Tumbler and got the Tumbler and outer sleeve out. There is also threads on that.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel