Honestly on my 300E I thought that coathangers would suffice but they were too thick (on my w126 the coathanger worked okay). The only thing that I found worked was either welding wire or a paperclip unbent and made into the tool shape (the big U). Everything else failed to actually seat into the holes on the sides of the collar/tumbler and would not release it. I'd recommend trying thinner wire like paperclips or something. Been there, done that...not fun until you get it out and realize its only a 5 minute job with the right tool

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth