25 yr old diesel Mercedes aren't on the top of car thieves lists. I think removing the steering locking pin is a good idea when the lock is apart. On my daughters 84 SD, the locking bolt broke loose from the locking assembly, dropping into the hole in the column and stopping the wheel from turning. Luckily this was at a very low speed. It wouldn't be nice if this happened at high speed on a winding road.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13