The bolt to the clamp on my car was not nearly as tight. In fact that was the least of my troubles... Meshale I wish you luck! Keep us posted.

HELLO ALL!! I just wanted to give the big update, I did it! YAY! With the breaker bar was able to remove steering wheel so I could drill out the steering lock bolt(which took awhile but was not near as hard to do as a feared), once that was done, drilled out the three little screws attached to the electric harness, popped that part apart and used a flathead to line it like it was in position two and taadaa!! the blasted thing was finally free. Replaced the old one and did everything in reverse to put it all back together. The big moment to try it took awhile because my battery had went dead through the three weeks of everything. I guess the key broke off in a position just enough to drain the battery but not to actually line the tumbler up. But got it charged up and a perfect purr, right back to life. I felt like dancing
The best moment ever was driving the car up to the mechanic I had called to ask a couple questions, and who had called me "honey" and laughed saying I would never be able to do this on my own and that I needed to bring it to him,,the cost he said, at least $450....I drove up and went inside, asked if he remembered my call and he said yes and obviously thought I was there to set it up for him to fix,,, and I said "HONEY, I did it, all on my own, thanks" stressing the honey part for good measure.
I want to extend a HUGE THANK YOU!!! to everyone who took a moment to lend me a helping hand and a vote of confidence.
Especially, jbaj007, whose detailed step by step instructions were what I had printed out and laying right next to me the whole time and got me through it with relative ease.
and Gilly, who's little details were of great assistance.
What an awesome chatboard this is! I can now add a Mercedes Ignition to the list of DIY projects I have done and My husband and kids are now bragging to everyone how there is nothing mom can't fix

Thanks!!!!
Meshale

Glad it worked out for you. I could sense a little a little rising anger/frustration in your email, but also a lot of determination. Now I realize you wanted to show "HONEY, the mechanic", that a DIYer could do it.

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The Golden Rule

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