Hi, thanks for looking. I'd appreciate some opinions on this.

Regarding a very beat up '80 300td that I really don't require conventional security for:

Lost keys. I do have access to interior. I'm thinking about skipping the time, expense, and uncertain success associated with ordering a replacement key from MB.

Plan A: Try to damage the tumbler enough that it could turn everything behind it that needs to turn to start and run and use a screwdriver as a key for the rest of the car's limited lifespan. I'm imagining hammering a screwdriver straight into the keyhole for starters.

Plan B: Cut the steering lock mechanism and convert the electronics and vacuum shut off to switches.

How good are my chances? Anyone tried this approach?

many thanks!!!

you've got two problems,
first the steering lock is ROBUST! your best bet is to follow the dieselgiant's method, and drill out the lock button, then pull the ignition assembly. then, just wire up a solenoid for the starter, and rig a valve for the vacuum. easy.

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

How easy is it to pull the lock assembly out when it has that security ring on it? Not very I'm thinking. Without a key, you can't get that security ring off, right?

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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

IF the car is registered in your name getting keys from your local MB dealer should be no issue.

Call and ask.

__________________
1985 300D 198K sold
1982 300D 202K
1989 300E 125K
1992 940T

"If you dont have time to do it safely, you dont have time to do it"

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

you don't need to get the ring off. just remove the entire lock assembly, then just use a jumper on the fender to start the car, you will have to rig the glow plugs too... but your steering lock will be gone.

I second how easy it is to get the key from the dealer!

DON"T TRY TO HAMMER ON THE KEY TO BYPASS THE LOCK! IT WON"T WORK!

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

That was my question: How easy is it to remove the whole lock assembly with the ring in place? I know I couldn't get mine back in place on my 126 SD with the ring on the assembly. Can it be removed with the ring on the assembly?

__________________
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

yes. I've done it a few times... you do have to drop the steering column to get it to fit in easily...

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

A new key at the MB dealer is $20... Do you have the title for the car?

-J

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

Do you have any keys that will fit the lock? Some worn locks respond to other keys if you gently turn and pull out and in. Once you get it turn the cylinder can be removed without damage.

Some cars have key # stamped on the door locks, that might worth a try.

In the past I've gotten a hold of blank keys, a door lock and filed my own to fit. The trick is to remove the cylinder and watch the pins/ wafers so you know how far to file.

A locksmith rekeys by putting pins in a tumbler so the shear line matches up with a given key. I've filed pins on a home door lock so I didn't have to change all of the other locks to keep a matching set.

Sometimes the yard leaves the key in the ignition or the floor. Perhaps you can get a tumbler & do something similar. I'd check the dealer first. Frequently, buying is cheaper than the yard with my time factored in.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Bradley your plan is fraught with difficulties. The MB lock is too tough to crack without total destruction as well as considerable damage to the surrounding dash. Your best bet it to follow the the diesel giant howto and grind the pin which holds the whole steering lock and ignition switch in place.
http://www.dieselgiant.com/repairignitionlock.htm
You can pull and rotate the lock out with the black ring still in place and unplug the switch to get it out. At least you will be able to get it out to work on it.
For the most part even a very good locksmith won't be able to help you much. Unless they have MB experience they will not be able to get the lock apart without grinding the black ring off which you can do yourself with a dremel once the assembly is out. Order a new tumbler with key and black ring once you have the lock apart, Good luck Dan

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It's always something simple
91 300D 603.960 (from japan) 194K
92 Toyota Diesel Landcruiser HDJ81-t 116K
02 Golf TDI new head courtesy of PO
87 300D
97 BMW 525 TDS Wagon 5spd
bunch of Onan and other diesel generators

Many thanks for all the wise advice!

With all of it in mind I was patient and did eventually find the key. I was gunshy about the dealer key because it seemed like too many people had posted about the process producing a key that didn't work.

Incidentally a good locksmith was able to duplicate my ignition key in three minutes after a hardware store key guy said it couldn't be done.