I would have put this in my original post regarding replacing the lock tumbler, but I could use some advice this morning. I have a retaining collar removal tool (not MB, some other brand tool) - put it on the collar with key in 1 position, and it won't turn left. It wiggles back and forth but won't actually turn. Tried turning key partway to 2 as some have reported, with no success.

I'm going to try to get under the dash to get the whole thing out so I can really see what's going on and get better leverage - any other ideas would be welcome.

EDIT: Kept messing with it and turned the key farther, more like to position 1.75, it turned - got it out.

Thanks,

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Charlie

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'66 VW 1300 96K miles
'97 E300D 239K miles
'85 300D 203K miles (sold Sep 2012)

In my experience, tumbler removal is so very simple, bit it's one of the more irritating jobs to do on these cars. Not hard at all, just annoying. I have always made the tool out of a coathanger.

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'84 190D 2.2 5MT (Red/Palomino) Current car. Love it!
'85 190D 2.2 Auto *Cali* (Blue/Blue) *sold*
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I have done it on both my w123s and neither released in exactly the position indicated in the DIYs.

Also some say the retainer will "pop out" or such term, when the keyswitch releases. Well maybe for some that was the case, but I think in most cases nothing happens at all... it is just able to turn, that's all.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Well I finally got it. Yes, it's simple now that I see how it fastened in. But thanks for all the replies.

__________________
Charlie

---------------------------
'66 VW 1300 96K miles
'97 E300D 239K miles
'85 300D 203K miles (sold Sep 2012)