Any Metallica Solutions to the Age-Old Broken Plastic Key Head Handle Dilemma? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Sev · #1 08-07-2015, 06:00 AM

If there's one thing we all have in common it's the fact that our old Benzes occasionally need a brand new plastic key head handle. In my case it was almost disastrous a few times as the crack crept up on me and then I lost my master key in the driveway, only to find it hours later after meticulously sweeping it up among the oak leaves.

So, I've seen the DIY wood handle done by the other guy here. But how about a two-piece aluminum handle shaped like a standard handle head, which screws together via eyeglasses sized screws?

Anything's gotta be better than plastic head handles which crack every six months at a cost of $10+ each and could result in needing a new set of lock tumblers and hours of installation work

rocky raccoon · #2 08-07-2015, 06:32 AM

A true locksmith shop (not one that is mobile only) will make a one-piece metal key. I had several made for my W123 without the dealer hassle. There are those who say no-one can make a Benz key. In my case I found that to be untrue.

Wodnek · #3 08-07-2015, 08:04 AM

I have had no problem getting them cut by a locksmith, until i figured out you could just order them from a dealer. In the 11 years I have owned Mercedes, I have never had a plastic break on a key. How are you breaking one every 6 months??? I just sold my 79 300 SD yesterday, and I still had the 2 masters and one valet key it came with.

vstech · #4 08-07-2015, 08:05 AM

I solder a flattened copper pipe to it. Then paint it por15 black, and drill a hole in it.

dieselgirl85300D · #5 08-07-2015, 09:27 AM

I used a small piece of ironwood, heavy duty glue and an allen screw, and a piece of leather to attach it to key ring. been holding up for about 3 years
There was a guy making some really nice machined ones. Dont know what ever happened to him

Skippy · #6 08-07-2015, 10:25 AM

Conradwax was selling the machined aluminum heads/handles/whatever you want to call them that work with the steel key. I don't think he does that anymore, but I was able to get one when he was still in business. It's quite nice. I've seen where people have made a key head out of finished wood, and those look nice as well. The dealer plastic will hold up well as long as you hold it by the center when you turn it.

BWhitmore · #7 08-07-2015, 10:34 AM

The billet aluminum key heads made by Konradwax are excellent. I was able to get two of them. Unfortunately he had production/delivery problems and stopped making them. I wish he would start up again - I received a new key and tumbler from the Classic Center a few days ago and with one turn of the key the plastic head broke off. MBZ has a quality problem with these later replacement keys and the keys you get from a locksmith have problems with metal shavings getting into the tumbler.

ROLLGUY · #8 08-07-2015, 10:35 AM

I used two grille emblems and sandwiched the key between. I ground the lip of each one so the key would fit, and then epoxied them together with a split ring on the top. Photos attached

gatorblue92 · #9 08-07-2015, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wodnek

I have had no problem getting them cut by a locksmith, until i figured out you could just order them from a dealer. In the 11 years I have owned Mercedes, I have never had a plastic break on a key. How are you breaking one every 6 months??? I just sold my 79 300 SD yesterday, and I still had the 2 masters and one valet key it came with.

The dealer sourced key heads for the W123 are garbage. I wonder if they are URO sourced parts

The W124 heads on the other hand are just as good as the original. Not sure why but they are.

Wodnek · #10 08-08-2015, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

I used two grille emblems and sandwiched the key between. I ground the lip of each one so the key would fit, and then epoxied them together with a split ring on the top. Photos attached

Now that, i like!

Wodnek · #11 08-08-2015, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorblue92

The dealer sourced key heads for the W123 are garbage. I wonder if they are URO sourced parts

The W124 heads on the other hand are just as good as the original. Not sure why but they are.

I gotcha. 124 ones are what i ordered. I ran over one with a lawnmower, it fell out of my pocket. chewed it up pretty bad.

MBeige · #12 08-08-2015, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocky raccoon

A true locksmith shop (not one that is mobile only) will make a one-piece metal key. I had several made for my W123 without the dealer hassle. There are those who say no-one can make a Benz key. In my case I found that to be untrue.

Those are made of brass, which over a period of constant use, will have brass shavings collect inside the ignition tumbler.

I have the key head customized by one of our members here. In fact I ordered 2 more keys to be customized, but I just haven't had the need (yet).

Similar observation with the W124 key heads (and the W201). But they may not be interchangeable... has anybody tried to place a W124 key head on a W123 key?

bricktron · #13 08-08-2015, 02:48 AM

my solution is to drill a beveled hole in one of the wings of the steel key, just big enough to fit the key ring, so the ring provides leverage when i turn it. no additional materials and smaller in the pocket.

gatorblue92 · #14 08-08-2015, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

Those are made of brass, which over a period of constant use, will have brass shavings collect inside the ignition tumbler.

I have the key head customized by one of our members here. In fact I ordered 2 more keys to be customized, but I just haven't had the need (yet).

Similar observation with the W124 key heads (and the W201). But they may not be interchangeable... has anybody tried to place a W124 key head on a W123 key?

The metal part of the key head is shaped differently. I have never seen a replacement key head for the W124/201 keys since all of the keys I ordered from the dealer appear to have a molded on head and the W123 key is a two piece design.

Stretch · #15 08-08-2015, 08:50 AM

A Metallica solution you say?

Have to be ride the lightning...