When I changed the tumbler on my 1980 W123, I used some J-B Weld on that evil square thing that used to stick out and keep me from getting the lock assembly out without a working key. (Get Uncle Sam out of my life. Why would I ever want to take the lock assembly out if the key worked? Duuhhh!)

Richard

I posted a few years ago about my 1984 300D. The tumbler was fine. The part jamming rotation was a broken "detent spring holder" that is internal to the lock stalk. You must pry off the flat steel cover to find it. Looking at the design, it is hard to imagine most won't fail eventually. The key positions no longer click into place, but hasn't been a problem without the detent. The key never rotates out of the "run" position, but then we don't hang lots of junk on the keychain like many Chevy owners did. I epoxied the cover back on because there wasn't enough meat left on the aluminum housing to crimp in back on assuredly.

I just wish I had left the steering locking bar out since that could cause a problem when driving and probably gives little theft deterrent. More people look upon my 300D's with disdain than covet them.

No one in their right mind would even take one as a gift. I offered mine for free on this forum several years ago when I was having trouble getting it legalized here in Mexico. All you had to do was come down and get it. I got no takers. It's a good one too. Only 180,000 miles.

http://i774.photobucket.com/albums/y...psrscrc4bb.jpg

I finally got it legalized so the offer no longer stands.

Richard