1997 210 steering lock disaster! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

oldiesel · #1 03-02-2016, 07:43 PM

1997 210 steering lock disaster1
My new to me 97 210 has developed the dreaded stuck key..The key will not turn to position 1 in order to remove the tumbler i have tried everything i can think of to no avail.I have searched here and BW for information and all i find is how to do it when the key will turn to pos 1. I have yet to try the excessive force method as that is exactly what the lock was designed to resist,so i would expect that to fail.
I have not found a place to buy a workshop manual for this car.It is beginning to look to me as if i may have to remove the entire steering column and i dread that,actually i am not even sure that it is possible to do without being able to unlock it.
If anyone has had experience with this i certainly would appreciate any help i could get as it is the car has my garage door blocked,of course it is in park so cant be moved,is on grass so i cannot roll it on a floor jack.
TIA Don

junqueyardjim · #2 03-02-2016, 07:54 PM

Oldiesel, you do have a problem. Hope you have another vehicle that you can fall back on until the problem is resolved. Did you try the vibration technique? Holding a vibrating tool, shaver or tooth brush as close to the lock or even the key to transfer these vibs into the lock while trying to move the key. If you have AAA, call for a wrecker and move it away from the garage. Even without AAA, call a wrecker and move it out of the way. Wish you the best, we have seen plenty of those problems on the W123/W124. Usually, persistence will win?

dieselbenz1 · #3 03-02-2016, 08:05 PM

Have you seen this thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/291409-complete-diy-1996-97-e300d-w210-om606-ignition-switch-removal-install.html

Having just gone through this with a friends car if it refuses to go into position 1 saw it out as close to the column as possible. You'll need a complete replacement assembly. Good luck we fiddled with his for 8 hours befor cutting. It out.

Clemson88 · #4 03-02-2016, 08:37 PM

Try plywood for a surface to roll the car using a floor jack. My second move would be to buy a new set of tumblers with keys from the dealership. Perhaps the new key will turn the tumblers. If not you'll need them and the new tumblers when you grind the old ones out.

Only the face of the lock is hardened. That's where the key is inserted. The bits are about 30 bucks each. I always look to nuts and bolts stores to locate them. It might take a couple different shapes to get it going. This is a process so don't expect to get off easy on time or money.

oldiesel · #5 03-02-2016, 09:50 PM

THANK YOU`ALL i dont know what i was doing wrong on my search but i searched for 3 evenings and found nothing usefull and you guys gave me links to tons of info on both Peach Parts and Benz world.
Looks like a terrible job but at least i have alot of info to help me
THANKS Don

VW1300 · #6 03-03-2016, 10:19 AM

I would suggest that you order a replacement tumbler from the dealer awhile. In case you do happen to be able to turn the key again, you will have it on hand to swap in immediately. You're going to need the new tumbler anyway no matter what. FYI, call ahead to the dealer and ask what they need to order you one - one dealer in Houston refused to order me a tumbler without seeing the car in person, which was not an option. Other dealer accepted a title and drivers ID, though the parts counter guy appreciated an iphone picture of the sill plate with the actual VIN just to be sure.

Mxfrank · #7 03-03-2016, 10:35 AM

The reason the lock gets stuck is that one or more pins are worn, which keeps them from disengaging the channel. The lock is still pickable, although it takes a lot of skill to pick a 12 pin lock. But what you can do is jiggle the key up and down in the slot while turning. The idea is to never relieve the twisting pressure, as that's what holds the pins in place. It's boring, and it may never work, but if you can catch it just right it only has to turn once to allow you to remove the cylinder. I've saved a few with this technique. This is obviously preferable to the major surgery required to get the lock apart. If you look at my 190 Lock faq, you'll see how it's constructed inside, and why this might work.

Mercedes Locksmithing

barry12345 · #8 03-03-2016, 11:41 AM

Do not attempt to force things too much. One thing perhaps not mentioned. Make sure the steering load is off the locking pin before starting.

Even if it means jacking the front wheels off the ground. I figure you already know this but just in case. I think you mentioned you were on grass.

babymog · #9 03-03-2016, 01:06 PM

If you use the vibrate or wiggle method, use light to medium pressure holding rotary pressure on the key, if you are torqueing it too hard it makes it more difficult for the tumblers to slide around. Picking a lock always requires light pressure. Also, when picking a lock, I always lubricate it thoroughly first with a light spray lube, ... in fact this is the only time I ever use WD-40, it tends to clean pretty well as it lubricates lightly.

oldiesel · #10 03-03-2016, 01:14 PM

GOOD News ! After reading thru pages and pages of helpful info i came across where someone had used a Sawzall to vibrate the lock and it worked although i have no idea how one would manage that i decided to try the hard vibration,i had already tried an oscillating
which didnt help. I got out my snap on air hammer ( it had been inoperative for a couple of years and i recently ran in to the Snap on guy and got the parts to fix it) First tried tapping on the black collar and stop and tried the key,no go.Next tried turning the key while tapping and YIPPEE it turned smooth as if there were nothing wrong!
I used a rivet busting chisel in the air hammer as it gave me a good angle to tap on the black collar.
So far no luck turning the black collar,on this car the collar is sort of recessed in the dash so no way to get a good grip on it with big pliers, i have been trying with some big needle nose vice grip but that collar is so hard i cant get a good grip on it so i am going to order the tool today. Man i am happy that thing turned. THANK Yall Don

mannys9130 · #11 03-03-2016, 01:19 PM

Great to see you got it to turn.

For future info, I have always had luck with a brand new key turning the old lock. If I was ever in a position where I wasn't able to turn the old lock with the old key and vibration/wiggling/etc didn't help, I'd just order the new lock and key and wait. My dealer will order the lock and key with a photo ID and registration or title in your name.

VW1300 · #12 03-04-2016, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldiesel

So far no luck turning the black collar,on this car the collar is sort of recessed in the dash so no way to get a good grip on it with big pliers, i have been trying with some big needle nose vice grip but that collar is so hard i cant get a good grip on it so i am going to order the tool today. Man i am happy that thing turned. THANK Yall Don

I ordered the tool and it helped, though I ended up using a combination of a channel-lock pliers and the tool. It seemed like I had to turn the key a little past the 1 position as well, but after working at it for a while it all came apart.

oldiesel · #13 03-08-2016, 09:18 PM

My tool came today,spent a couple hours trying to get hat collar to turn but so far no luck.Seems no matter where i position the key anywhere between pos1 to pos2 the collar will not turn more than about 10 degrees.
Twice while trying to get to position 1 i had it slip back to pos 0 both times i was lucky and rattled it a bit and it turned back to pos1.However i have not been able to turn that collar,can anyone that has had success with this tool give me some suggestions,finding just the right spot with the key ,push in? Pull out? wiggle? Does it require alot of force to rotate the collar with the tool? Since to tool only grips with a thin rubber sleeve it does not seem that it would be used for alot of force. Any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA Don

funola · #14 03-08-2016, 11:05 PM

What tool did you get? On w123 the only tool you need is a paper clip. Push in the paper clip to retract the pawl and turn the collar. Sometimes the pawl gets hung up on the collar slot and you have to jiggle the collar back and forth to get it started to unscrew it.

dieselbenz1 · #15 03-09-2016, 09:32 AM

I believe the tool you purchased is to remove the trim ring? To remove the black collar which holds in the tumbler assembly if it is anything like the S series this does take effort. Try grabbing onto the collar with plyers jiggle up down side to side and the tamper proof ring on the inside of the black collar may let go it did in my case after an hour or so. Bear in mind I'm assuming it is similar to a 1993 300sd?