My 82 300sd has a problem with the ignition,steering lock where it wouldnt turn. Thought it was just time to replace after a few jiggling episodes. But then it occured to me that I dont get the problem if I dont lock the steering wheel when I shut it down. In other words if the steering wheel doesnt lock in place there is no problem, if it does, big problem. Is it posssible that the problem is in the steering wheel locking mechanism and not the cylinder? Anyone else had this issue? Thanks.

many have had this issue, I believe the only good solution is to have the locking mechanisim replaced. you can also remove the tumbler, and block off the steering lock button, so the wheel does not lock. use google advanced search of this forum for ignition lock or something similar.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Check out www.dieselgiant.com. He has a pictorial for replacing these items.

John

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Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
2002 F250 powerstroke with Plantdrive WVO conversion
1983 300SD 190K miles ,sold
2006 E320 CDI

Rick,
The symptoms you describe are similar to my '83 SD's. I've pulled the lock housing out, flushed it with solvent, and played around with it, and it still does the same things. If I let the column lock, it's near impossible to turn the key again once it's been out.

From what I can tell, this is a failure internal to the lock housing, not the tumbler. It seems there's a part of the housing that should have its travel limited by a catch once you remove the key. This catch doesn't, so the tab on the end that locks into the steering column can't be unlocked and retracted by inserting and turning the key. Either that, or the tab is worn down enough that it's moving too far into the column.

I'd like to pull apart my lock housing, but I can't seem to find a way around the cover plate that doesn't involve destroying it.

In the meantime, I'm going to JB-Weld the pin in place, which will prevent the tab from locking into the column at all.

I intend to get a new lock housing, and compare its operation to the failed one.

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1983 300SD 467,000 km - 473 champagnermetallic

location: 34°5' N 106°53' W (Socorro NM, USA)

126 frozen steering lock/tumbler removal (fairly easy, but long)

FWIW.

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

lonewolf, could you let me know what you find. Im currently swapping engines, wont be driving it for a little while.