Okay, so for the last few weeks my ignition lock/tumbler was acting up. Feeling like it was binding and I was having trouble turning it. So I replaced the tumbler with a new one from autohauaz. Worked alright. Went to start it last night at a friend's house and it just would not turn. Over 2 hrs of fiddling with it and finally got it to position 2 where i proceeded to take out the tumbler and I now start the car with a pair of needle nose pliers and a flathead screwdriver. There is still some resistance when using the needle nose, but i can still turn/start it.

So the question is, is the actual steering lock mechanism to blame? Did I get a bad tumbler? Whats involved with taking out the column lock?

Thanks!

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'81 300SD- OM617.951, Euro Head Lights, Hella 550's, 2.5" Turbo-Back Straight Pipe, ALDA Removed, Camo Dash + Seat Covers, Boost Gauge, DU Floor Mats, Cobra CB, LED Trunk lights, and other things...


'03 Chevy CCSB LT LB7 "P-Stroke Killer"
219K mi. - AirDog II 165, EFI Live, Alligator Stage V, ISSPRO EV2 Pyro/Boost, PPE Boost Valve, LML Manifold, MBRP Downpipe, Debadged, Bills Custom 3.5" Turbo Horn, B&W Hitch, S&B Intake

Ignition assembly can bind up and fail. Is it turning equally as hard with the screwdriver? Mine broke on my 84SD and the locking pin dropped into the steering column and the wheel would no longer turn. Lots of threads on here with pictures on how to remove the ignition switch assembly. A search should turn them up. Not a big deal.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

1. It is not as difficult to turn ,but there is still plenty of resistance

2. That hasn't happened yet!

3. Where the best place to get a new steering lock? Autohauaz? Dealer? Dont want no cheap stuff.

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'81 300SD- OM617.951, Euro Head Lights, Hella 550's, 2.5" Turbo-Back Straight Pipe, ALDA Removed, Camo Dash + Seat Covers, Boost Gauge, DU Floor Mats, Cobra CB, LED Trunk lights, and other things...


'03 Chevy CCSB LT LB7 "P-Stroke Killer"
219K mi. - AirDog II 165, EFI Live, Alligator Stage V, ISSPRO EV2 Pyro/Boost, PPE Boost Valve, LML Manifold, MBRP Downpipe, Debadged, Bills Custom 3.5" Turbo Horn, B&W Hitch, S&B Intake

Here. Buy Parts at the top of the page.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13