300 locking cylinder blues

[300-JIM-CE]

The cylinder failed without any warning.The key goes all
the way but will not turn. The steering wheel moves a bit from side to side so I don't think its binding and causing the key not to turn.
Picked up a new cylinder(126-460-06-04) from m-b today. The clip that holds the cylinder in (and the thing the wire tool pushes down for removal) is on one side only.It's made of some type of spring material and does not look all that strong.
I've read most of the posts and it seems to be a big problem.
Has anyone had any luck using a slide hammer to yank the cylinder out? I know it's crude but drilling and
grinding will still require me to buy more parts.
The car is a 1989 300ce.
Thanks Jimmy