If you can get the tumbler out then you should be able to get the steering lock out without any hacking. Once the big honking ring is out you put the tumbler and key back in. There's a button you need to depress when the ignition is in position 1 to remove it from the steering assy. The procedure in the 300D manual is much better than the procedure in the 300SD manual. Better pictures, better step descriptions. But it's definitely a DIY.

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mjk

'84 300SD 119KMi (Liesl der Diesel)
'84 300D 326KMi when the oil left (former parts car)
'82 300SD 253KMi (new parts car)