You should have been able to start to pull the tumbler out when the collar reached the key. I think about the only thing you can do now is to play with it and hope you can get it to turn one last time, call a lock smith to drill it, or follow the Diesel Giant pictorial on grinding the lock pin to remove the ignition lock and tumbler assembly.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

no the dash isnt touching the cover, its just locked again. once the thing crunched the first time it was easy to turn, spun about 5-6 times then i couldnt go any futher because of the key head...wouldnt spin out further. the key was removed and now i cant get it back into position to try to unlock it again.

i dont think you need the key in IF the rod is depressing the locking portion. Does the cover rotate at all or is it locked, if the cover is up so high that you can get the key back in to turn it you are up the creek. You need to make a copy of the key and then cut the head off so you can get it back inside the cover to turn to 1,

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

First thing I would say is that the tumbler SHOULD have just pulled out as you unscrewed the cover. It should not have been stuck to the steering lock as it seems to have been for some reason. Next, right now, are you getting the key in all the way? That could be the reason it is not turning. I mean, if the key was in the way of the cover, so you removed the key which released the little "detent" tab which latched when you started to unscrew the cover again, then you might not be getting the key in all the way now.

Try to get a tiny hook (make it out of wire or something) and see if you can pull the tumbler out toward you. If yes, then try to do that and get the key in all the way at the same time. Then you should be able to turn the key.

One thing you said, however, that is worrysome, is that your tumbler is in two pieces. That means it is broken. That could be a problem.

Try using the little hook and report back.

Edit: also turn the wheel as you do all this so you make sure it is not a loaded steering lock that is messing you up.

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Jackson

1984 300d 223k
1994 Jeep Cherokee 2.5L 88k

"She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. I've added some special modifications myself." -- Han Solo

"Would it help if I got out and pushed?" -- Princess Leia

well with blisters on both thumbs and index fingers i decided to call it a night. thanks to everyone who responded....i called a locksmith and he said i should be able to remove the collar since i was able to unscrew it a little. time to walk away and go at it again in the morning.

The locksmith is not neccessarily right. What happens when you shove the wire into the little hole is that is depresses a tab that sticks out of the tumbler and rides in a groove in the black cylinder. The tab can only be depressed when the key is in position 1 where you had it. If you unscrew for a little while then remove the key, you are allowing the tab to rise up against the black cylinder again. From here, if you unscrew some more then the tab is going to stick in the groove. If you have not unscrewed they black cylinder enough then the tumbler will be both engaged with the steering lock by two prongs AND engaged with the black cylinder via tab and groove. This means the cylinder wont unscrew anymore. Normally, in this case you would just put the key back in and restart. You are saying the key wont turn the tumbler. That is what seems to be the problem. That and you say the tumbler is in two pieces. But I don't know what else to offer other than what I said in my earlier post. Good luck.

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Jackson

1984 300d 223k
1994 Jeep Cherokee 2.5L 88k

"She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. I've added some special modifications myself." -- Han Solo

"Would it help if I got out and pushed?" -- Princess Leia

sorry i did not read the whole post. however i had the same problem. i had to get a brand new key to even turn it to position 2 or 3 to insert the rod.

when u back the collar out a couple of turns u will hit the key. i just tugged back on the key to get a few more mm of space, the key will not come out because it is not in position 1. now u can back out the cover a couple more turns and u will hit the key again. yank back on it to get a couple more mm. keep doing it eventually when u pull on it the whole assembly just comes out with the key. i found the inside of my tumbler was broken in 4 pieces.

hope this helps

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198? 300D ???K - Future DD
1989 300TE 285K - traded in '12
1984 300SD 186K - Sold in 08
1978 300SD 330K - Died in 05

$150 for the tow, $650 for new parts and labor. should have it back on monday.

Ouch. Sorry we couldn't be of more help.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

$650! Ouch indeed!! I think I would have got the slide hammer out and just bought a new switch housing and tumbler for ~$100!

Oh well, at least it will be done right. Sorry for your bad experience!

Klaus

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‘84 300TD “Mountain Goat”
'62 300d Adenauer-350 Chevy - "Max"
'15 VW Passat TDI
'16 Dodge Ram 3500 - Cummins w/6-speed
'68 Mustang fastback
'55 T-bird
‘63 Studebaker Hawk

Ok all i see tons of post on everything but 300e, Now the ignition is on the right side ON THE DASH , Not on the colume. Its a 300E. ok anyway. i have no choice but to drill the tumbler out. it wont turn period. Steering is locked ..Once i get it out. how can i stop the steering from locking in the future.,

OK, I tell ya my two turn trick. I have found (the hard way) with some of these cars 107,123, 124 126, they all use about the same system, you can unlock the column a few times when they hang up. What I found: Turn the key as far to the right as possible. While holding the key in that position, turn wheel to left and hold it there. Then turn key to left. Finally, turn key and wheel to right at same time. In my case that worked for several weeks while I waited for the new lock mechanism from MB and then waited for the free time to do the replacement. Not only the tumblers go bad, but also the whole locking mechanism. I had the one out of my old 123 apart after it died and there was a bunch of wear that let pieces move out of alignment.