Now that the ignition switch is on its way to a fix, I need to ask for some help
in repairing the up / down actuator or gears that raise & lower the steering wheel.

As an earlier post suggested moving the wheel would sometimes cause enough of a deflection in the ignition cable harness to cause the starter to function. My cars previous owner took that fix to the max and now it sounds
like the gears are stripped.

I lost an email from a 500sl owner in Alaska who had a complete column fron a salvage yard. One of my close friends is a tool and dye maker with his own machine shop and is willing to make me a set if I take the gears out.
Since the dash, cluster, and ignition key assembly is out I thought I would take a shot at removal with some of your advise.

Any and all contributions are greatly appreciated !
dan
P.S. If you have a gear problem let me know and I may be able to have a few
extra sets made since MB does not sell them.