Can anyone tell me how to get the lock cylinder out of the dash/column in my benz ? Lock is broken, and must come out. I need to unlock the steering so I can drive it. I don't have the replacement parts yet, still need to make it run.
Help !!!

My 82 300SD's ignition lock failed in a parking lot. The parking lot happened to be my parts guy's and I lucked out as a locksmith was there buying parts for a job. I watched him remove my broken ignition cylender. He installed a temporary cylender so I could start the car and I ordered a cylender coded to my vin that arrived a few days later.

You will need a set of vice grips and the ignition key and a paperclip. Place the key in the vice grips and get a really good grip on the key. Its likely the rubber head will be destroyed or damaged during this procedure so if you have an older key its good to use. Insert the key into the cylender and wiggle and turn using a bit of force. Not enough to shatter the cylender but enough to unstick any jammed or stuck parts of the old cylender. If your key turns don't turn it backwards. Get your paperclip ready and insert it into the hole that is exposed as you turn the cylender. Once inserted you will be able to remove the whole cylender.

If this does not work for you quickly I would suggest giving up and calling a professional ASAP. If you lock your steering wheel or do more damage to the lock cylender its likely that you will spend a lot more money in the long run when the professional locksmith comes out. On some of the cars equipped with the high security key system it requires partial dissasembly of the dash and CUTTING out the old ignition with a power saw.

You can order a VIN coded cylender from most MB parts counters and from most decent parts places. The good thing is the new cylender comes with a new key and your old keys will still work. Going with a non VIN coded cylender means that you will have more than one key to start the car and unlock the doors. Not an elegant solution.