I thought I had my problem solved with all your suggestions. After doing my searches, and re-reading your responses, I think JamesStein may have nailed it, (thanks for that great site on ignition locks). I replaced my lock cylinder and it worked just fine...well for a few weeks. Now it seems to be sticking again, and I guess it's the steering wheel lock causing the problem. I removed the black steel collar around the lock and it seemed to have worked...again for a week. If I leave the key in the lock and don't remove it, it works just fine. It only starts hanging up when I remove the key. My question is: "is the process to disable the steering wheel lock the same for my W116 (1980 300sd) as for the W123? Does the instrument panel remove the same way?" I had looked for the steering wheel lock pin when I removed the tumbler, but didn't see it. I'm toying witht the idea with leaving the cylinder out entirely if I can't fix it myself... as a mechanic quoted $500 to replace the steering lock. Thanks in advance!

Les

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1980 300sd - Ivory, Tobacco Interior 130,000 miles
2003 Expedition

Where a calculator on the ENIAC is equipped with 18,000 vacuum tubes and weighs 30 tons, computers in the future may have only 1,000 vacuum tubes and weigh only 1.5 tons. - Popular Mechanics, 1949

I disabled mine here FWIW:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=58636&highlight=steering+lock+pawl

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

Thanks, that was a great thread... I had read that one too. Had problems turning the words into pictures in my head (I'm a visual learner)... and the damn voices in my head wouldn't shut up either :-)... but again since it was for a 126, I wasn't sure how much translates into my 116, but I'll open it up this weekend and give it a try... Again, thanks for your suggestions, you guys are great!

Les

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1980 300sd - Ivory, Tobacco Interior 130,000 miles
2003 Expedition

Where a calculator on the ENIAC is equipped with 18,000 vacuum tubes and weighs 30 tons, computers in the future may have only 1,000 vacuum tubes and weigh only 1.5 tons. - Popular Mechanics, 1949

That certainly sounds like the steering wheel lock is causing you problems.

Unfortunately the part numbers are different for the ignition assembly in the 116 compared to the 123. And fastlane doesn't have a picture of the part for the 116 so I can't tell how similar it is.

As for the cluster and dash parts I would bet they are different. Again though I don't have an basis to go on. I've never been in a 116 to compare.

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'84 300CD Turbo 132k (Anthracite Grey) - WVO - My daily driver - Recently named coo-coo-coupe by my daughter.
'84 300D Turbo 240k (Anthracite Grey) - Garage Queen
'83 300D Turbo 220k (Orient Red) - WVO - Wifes daily driver

I'm not a certified mechanic, but I did stay at a HolidayInn Express last night.

I lost my key for my 1995 c22o, the dealer sold me a replacement key that opened doors but did not turn ignition. Tried graphite lubrication still nothing. I've decided to replace ignition but don't know what exactly I need to replace. The key does not turn at all. When searching for parts i find ignition assembly lock do I need this part along with the cylinder lock/w key? also is cylinder lock another way to describe the tumbler? I m at a loss and my car has been sitting for two months now. I need help