my experience was the same on my 260e...

tried everything.... then did the 70 degree angle thing with a white coat hanger... popped right out... new one pushed right in..

it was so hot when i first started... so that added to my frustration....

i had been driving the car, but leaving the key in it for about a month.... once i pulled the key out by mistake..and thought i would never be able to turn to position 2 again... got lucky..

when my ignition switch popped out... it was in two pieces as well.

__________________
1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

so for the 90 91 350sdl, the outer part does not have to come off nor do you have to go through the cluster etc.....?

Yep, at least for my '91 300 SE that's the way it worked.
It was awhile back, but I remember fighting it a bit, until I tossed the small paperclip and used a larger pin (the biggest that would go into the hole) with the suggested taper, and suddenly she popped right out.

DG