I have a friend with a 300SD and the key is stuck in the run position. I need advice as to how to get the black ring off to see if I can find the holes to use to release the tumbler. I am not too optimistic we are going to be able to get it to turn to the position to line up the latch. I did not realize they could get stuck in a position other than off. The steering is obviously not locked. He shut if off under the hood and disconnected the battery. Could the battery being disconnected cause this (alarm system)? Any advice/thoughts are appreciated.
tia

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Jim

The holes are on the edge of the silver disc on the face of the lock cylinder, kind of right on the inner edge of the black ring.
That may be a good position for it to get stuck in, as far as trying to remove the lock cylinder and saving that part. I believe that one has 2 holes, directly across from each other, let me know if I'm wrong and there's only 1. Usually the steering wheel lock assembly is what's seized, not the lock cylinder, although most techs want to replace both, just to be safe.

Gilly

PS NO, the battery has nothin to do with it.

Gilly - should I be able to remove the black ring separately or will it unscrew once I press the latches in those two holes (like all the other ones I have worked on)? I have done this on a E320 (and the W123's) but never one of these. I could not see the holes yesterday afternoon when I rode over there to take a look. I guess I did not look close enough. I have to pull a cylinder head from a '89 300SE this morning but may try to get back down there this afternoon to take another look at it. Tumbler issues are the ones I hate the most.

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Jim

Oh yea, one other thing. The black ring around this one is rubber or plastic material and spins freely. I am working under the assumption that it should come off. Need guidance on how to remove it.

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Jim

It's actually a plastic coated steel collar.
What I believe it has is 2 holes offset 90 degrees from each other.
A shop-made tool is used, I'm not sure if the instructions to make the tool is on the 126 disc or not. It's a U shaped piece of wire (if the instructions to make the tool can be found it would give the wire gauge, it's not as thick as coathangar wire, but thicker than mechanic wire). The wire is bent into a U so you can insert the wire into both holes at once, however you need to use a grinder on the wire on ONE side to taper it, on the INSIDE of the U (on the tips of the wire, the part going into the holes. The tapers go into guide holes and pull in 2 retainers which hold the cap over the steering lock (around the cylinder). I'm pretty sure this is the style used on the 126.

IF there is only 1 hole, it's a little easier, just need to find the right gauge wire, just a normal cut-off end (no tapering in other words) and it's inserted into the hole, and just push down hard and that releases the retainer.

With either type, the cylinder has to be in #2 position, but it sounds like you have the cylinder locked in that posion now anyways. It can be pretty finnicky though, so hopefully it's lined up good enough. If the wires won't go in very far, it's a safe bet it's not close enough.


Gilly

Oh Crap, it's a 92? It's a 140, just caught that. Unsure if these instructions I just gave are correct, never had much trouble with the lock cylinder on the 140s and 129s. If there are 2 holes, odds are this will work OK.

I checked the 126 disc, if it has 2 holes, the wire diameter is 2mm for the tool, I think it'll be the same for a 140, just not too sure though. The angles you would need to put on the tips is 70 degrees if you want to get technical about it.

Gilly

Thanks Gilly - yea it is a 140 (with the infamous 3.5 liter diesel - but he has not had any engine problems and the car runs/drives great). I'll swear it is a REAL nice car but man has it got a bunch of stuff. I'll call him and try to ride back over tomorrow afternoon and take my special tumbler release tool.

The enclosed pic shows how I spent my Saturday (looking at 5-6 hrs worth of work to get this far. I will NEVER pull another head the "old way" (without a lift).

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Jim

Geez, get the head away from the fender

Gilly

I had just moved it out of the car.
It is now safely sitting on the workbench.

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Jim

Good. NOW I can sleep tonight. :p

Gilly