Need some help with removing...
 

The tumbler, as you know that i have a E320 that the last owner lost the key, dose anyone know where to drill beside drilling the tumbler, is there a sweet spot that i can drill to remove the lock assembly>???

Why not obtain a key from the dealer?

You own the vehicle legally, correct? Prove this at the dealer (title copy, registration, insurance, etc) plus a valid photo ID... off you go. :)

IIRC this is the one that the original owner lost the key and someone replaced the original one and then lost THAT key? This might be why he wants to drill... ran out of options...

AH, that makes sense. :o

My 560 came like that, someone spent time and money replacing the tumbler + key versus obtaining the proper key for LESS money at the dealer. :rolleyes:

do you think opening the steering column is the right way??? it seem that's the only good way to open W/O drilling...

Can you pop the air bag off easily?

126s have a few allen bolts that secure it. Then I'd remove the retaining nut, mark it... pull the wheel. LOTS more room to move about. :)

Something doesn't make sense here.... Did he just replace the ignition tumbler and leave all the others original? Unless the ignition tumbler was replaced, it should match the VIN. If all the other tumblers were replaced at the same time, you should be able to get a locksmith to make a key from the numbers on the door tumblers. (I think....)


-tp

I could be wrong but I swear I read this tale of this happening earlier...

And I know that my 300D is that way too. One of the PO's changed the Ignition but not the doors. I fear with no records. One day I will fix that... when I run out of other things to do on a 83 300D... :D

The most sensible and economic way, IMO, is to order a new vin-matched ignition tumbler from a dealer. It will come with one new key for around $100 (depending on the dealer). If someone knows of an on-line source that is cheaper, I'm interested.

Anyway, that will give you a key that fits the doors, and you can always have them send a second key for a little more $$.

Then, call a locksmith, have the ignition picked. Once it is turned to position II, you stick two pins (paperclips, allen-wrenches, correct tool, etc.) into the two holes and the cylinder with hardened tamper-resistant ring pop out so that you can simply insert the new ones. You'll have maybe $150 into it, but you need the door key anyway, and you'll need an ignition tumbler anyway.

If you choose to grind it out, it's been done, you need to grind the black retaining ring off so that you can get the tumbler out. You run a substantial risk of slipping and damaging a $$ dash, plus you'll need the rataining ring and have a mess to clean up.

Do you already have a door key that works?

Today we finally got that dang thing out, we drilled the locking pin, use a screwdriver to push it out, and use a hammer and knock it out and wah la, ITS Out now is just installing it back and firing it :P