Removing door lock tumblers - 300E - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Zeus · #1 10-30-2003, 04:37 PM

As per one of my earlier posts, both front door locks are sticking/catching and only work intermittently with a lot of key wiggling. It's not the key - I've had new ones made - so I suspect the tumblers are worn.

I've searched extensively and there have been quite a few mentions of removing the tumbler/lock cylinder and then filing down the individual tumblers and/or removing them to fix the lock.

How exactly do I remove the cylinder/tumbler from the door? I understand you can remove it without removing the handle or without removing the door panel. Is this correct? can anyone shed light on how exactly you remove it? Thanks in advance,

Chris

P.S. It's for my 1989 300E. As stated, I can fully insert the key and sometimes the locks work.

Steve190E 2.3 · #2 10-30-2003, 08:55 PM

I am going by memory as it has been awhile since the last time I had my lock out. There is an allen bolt that is covered with a plastic plug when you open the door and look on the edge. Loosen this bolt and it will allow the lock to move forward and back a bit. Stick the key in and a believe you turn it either 45 or 90 degrees and the lock comes right out. One note of caution, don't overtighten the allen bolt when you put it back together as it can warp the tumber causing other problems.

Steve

deanyel · #3 10-30-2003, 09:40 PM

Turn it about 60 degrees clockwise.

Zeus · #4 10-31-2003, 02:17 PM

Thanks for the tips guys, that's the info I was looking for. Much appreciated. I'll tackle it this weekend and let you know how it goes...

Chris

csnow · #5 10-31-2003, 02:39 PM

Good luck. I reassemble these things using silicone grease on all the moving parts. Seems to work very well, plus not so messy if residual gets on your key.

Zeus · #6 11-01-2003, 02:23 PM

OK, I've got the tumbler out of the door. I disconnected the alarm wire and I'm holding the lock unit right now. The question is - how do I get this thing apart? It's apparently a sealed unit? The tumbers are inside. Does it come apart? TIA for any help...

C.

Zeus · #7 11-01-2003, 03:19 PM

I wish I had a digital camera...argh...

I've been examining the entire lock cylinder that I removed, and I don't think I can take it apart to get at the tumblers...can anyone confirm this? I can see the tumblers inside but see no way of getting at them to file them down or remove them as per previous posts. I think that may only work for older lock mechanisms.

Any help out there before I put this back in the door and call my dealer for a new lock cylinder ($400 - yikes!!!)??

yhliem · #8 11-03-2003, 01:14 AM

Chris...

i'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news: the tumblers are not servicable. You have to replace the entire unit. Been there, done that with one of our 500Es. Additionally, you cannot just swap the lock from one side of the car to the other. they are side specific and swapping sides messes up the arming and disarming of the factory alarm.

haasman · #9 11-03-2003, 01:33 AM

Chris

Having just gone through door lock tumbler issues with the 190e I can offer some advice- If the tumblers are truly bad, then you basically have two choices: replace with either a new one (about $280) or a used one. The used one has the disadvantage of having to use another key.

You can order new ones from the dealership after supplying the car's chassis # and identification.

I have had excellent luck with using spray door lock graphite. About $5 for a little can with a snorkle tube. I have had several tumblers in the cars that were getting "gritty" and this has work very well. I give 'em a spray about every three months.

Haasman

Zeus · #10 11-03-2003, 10:10 AM

yhliem - that's what i was afraid of. They don't look like they can be serviced - the unit is sealed. Thanks. I'm off to sell some of my stock portfolio to pay for the new locks....argh.

haasman - thanks for the tip as well. I did try and lubricate the lock but once I got it out, it was evident that the unit is just plain worn out. It started to go a while ago and finally stopped working this weekend.

At least I can install the new ones myself and save a few $$$s!

Zeus · #11 11-03-2003, 11:10 AM

AIYEEE!!

Just called the dealer for a new lock mechanism - $560 CDN. That's clearly insane.

Can I weld the lock from a 1984 Pontiac Acadian onto a Benz???

Steve190E 2.3 · #12 11-03-2003, 04:37 PM

When I first bought my 300E, the driver's lock did not work. The dealer had two choices as far as new tumblers. There was a service one that came with its own key that I believe was $170 Canadian. The other was a tumbler that would match the rest of the locks and I believe it was $700. I ended up switching the passenger one with the driver's one. If I recall, I switched the plastic part that has the wires attached for the factory alarm from the driver's to the passengers and voila. Another suggestion is to buy a keyless entry module and do that as an upgrade. You still have a trunk lock that works and a passenger side that works, so you would never be stranded if it malfunctioned.

Hope this helps,
Steve

csnow · #13 11-03-2003, 05:17 PM

Also, you can try the used route:

http://www.uneedapart.com

toknow · #14 11-04-2003, 01:51 PM

Hi,
I had the same problem before, I took the tumbler out of the car, and I took it apart, it is not sealed, it can be serviced, but in my case one of the chips were not Ok, I straightened it and filed, and put everything back with good grease..everyhting works fine...I do not believe you could buy these chips (slices) from a dealer, but you may try locksmith, or from a used lock etc., they have numbers on them, or if you are lucky you do not need. I realized that there is a week point in these tumblers that can break and make them hard to turn.
If you still in need of more instructions, i can provide more,
in my car 1987 300D, the price of new tumbler: $355

goog luck

cil254 · #15 11-04-2003, 02:37 PM

I have the same problem with my W202. My mechanic took the cylinder out (easy, screw on the side of the door), and lubed it.
No luck. In my case it's one piiece and does not come apart.
MB quoted me $175 for a new one. They order it from Germany to match your existing keys.
I did not do it and got a keyless entry installed instead.