Help! Newbie has Tumbler problem

[Johne 320]

Thanks to all of you for such a great site. As a newbie to the Benz experience, I have just been hanging back and enjoying learning about my Benz though the threads. I bought a 1994 E320 about two months ago, love it.

But, last week my tumbler started sticking. Thanks again to many of you, I ordered a new one from my dealer before it got stuck in the number 1 position.

So far, I got two paperclips, actually two thin finish nails inserted into the holes around the key hole. I can feel the engagement of the nails deep in the holes. So far so good.

Here are my quesitons:
1. How do I remove the lower dash panel? I removed about 6 screws and the hood release. The panel seems to bind around the headlight switch. Do I remove the light switch knob to get the panel off? How?
2. How do I remove the black collar around the tumbler? Does it pull straight off or unscrew on a 1994 E320?

Thanks, John

P.S. I order spark plugs (Supers not Plats per this site), trans filter and oil filter from the FastLane, good prices, quick and so easy. Plan on doing use them after I get the tumber fixed.