I all ready have a new tumbler in hand. The old one does work to the point of getting the paperclip into the hole at the #1 position, But it will not turn counter clockwise....

I can feel the spring mechanism inside the tumbler 'give' which holds onto the paperclip a bit, but the Key/tumbler has not even begun to budge...

Any one allready have experience with this? How much pressure is needed? the present tumbler is worn, and I am afraid to completly destroy the faint hope that it will come apart as is is supposed to

Jason

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46 WDX Power Wagon

84 300TDT daily driver

are you talking about removing the tumbler ?

if you are then a good tool that we used here was a grinded down metal clothes hanger.

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Audi TT

Yup - been there done this CLICK ME
Something very important - I found the paperclip just wasn't the right size and went and bought the proper mm tool and it made all the difference in the world.
You can read the entire thread or go to the conclusion on frame #15
Hopefully you are talking about your 126.

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Kamil, Yes I am trying to unscrew the tumbler... the paper clip seems to work in the new one... but then it does not have 235,000 on it.

so if I was to turn down the coat hanger, Actually I was playing with a real small allen wrench, as it was the stiffest thing I could think of, but may be it was too big...

Unfortunatly It is the 123 that I am struggling with.. How much force is needed to turn the tumbler? I see some people talk of needle nose pliers but I dont want to tweak it.

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46 WDX Power Wagon

84 300TDT daily driver

I just removed mine. It sounds to me like you are having trouble turning the black "hardend" end piece off. I did mine by sticking in a large size paper clip which you can straighten out in an instant in your fingers. The typical small or standard size paper clip is to small. I also had a very small allen wrench, I beleive it is marked 2 mm which work well. Now if your ignition cylinder has not been removed in many years, maybe it has never been removed, then that hardend front piece, which is part of the trim, but protects your lock from being removed, can be a bit sticky, (say rusty)on the threaded inside. Mine moved just a little, then it locked up and I couldn't move it either way. I finely got a needle nose vice grip to bite it sufficiently hard, gave it a couple of turns with that, and then I could turn it off by hand. They recommend putting just a little "stiff" grease on those threads when you re-assemble it. The vice grip will most definetly mark that nose peice, but a little fine sanding and a shot of black paint will make it look like new.

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

So that black ring that is around the key, is threaded on?

If so, do I take it off first, then try and get the tumbler out? I guess that stands up to my way of thinking... will go and investigate some more..

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46 WDX Power Wagon

84 300TDT daily driver

That's right. First the little trim ring with the chrome on it, it just very easily pops off with a screw driver. There are three tabs that hold it on. Then the bnig hardend black end piece. Yes it is really screwed on, probably close to 5/16 threaded section, and it has to be turned all the way. By the way, her is a forumn member who has a wonderful write up on the whole thing. You might like this. There are others also, but Diesel Giant is very good. Check it out.http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=131141

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

junqueyardjim, Got if off, Thanks to your description of the removable black ring... it was a needle nose vice-grip, 1/4 turn off- 1/8 turn on. All the way out!! But the most important part was that the tumbler does not turn. I thought the dang thing unscrewed itself ... (dont ask how, with the fact that there are no threads on it...

So, Now the new tumbler does not want to go in.... it gets stuck about 1/2 way in. any Ideas?

Jason

__________________
46 WDX Power Wagon

84 300TDT daily driver

But, on my W126, the steering wheel lock mechanism prevented the ignition key from turning. Aside from replacing the entire locking mechanism, I just prevent the steering wheel lock portion from doing it's job. Haven't had problem one since then.

www.benzbonz.biz

marty

Jason; I am glad that you were able to get it off. I rather agree with MESPE in the previous note it might well be that your interlock is preventing it from going back together. I couldn't get mine together either and I felt it was binding in the steering wheel lock. So I removed the whole thing, and that involves also removing the instrument section of the dash, dropping the steering column, then grinding off the divot that sticks into the steering column and the little detent pin that locks the switch to the column. I did that and the thing went together slick. Outside of that, all I can suggest is playing with it and pray that you hit the right combination that makes the jerk thing go in. But mine is so smooth now that I don't have that steering wheel lock to mess it up. The car is not as theft resistant as it was, but I can live with that. I don't think a 20 year old Mercedes Diesel is high on the list of most stolen cars. I screwed around with my lock for about 2 weeks, though some of that was waiting for a new cylinder. But I did get to know it pretty well. Hope it works for you.

__________________
Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

Will start the prayer, as I walk away from the computer screen... and play with the steering wheel a bit as well... THANKS, this has been a big help.

__________________
46 WDX Power Wagon

84 300TDT daily driver

Woo-Hoo, It is repaired. Again thanks, I never would have seen the light of day, with out your guidance.
J

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46 WDX Power Wagon

84 300TDT daily driver