I searched but found nothing on this. What has happened (560SL, but same set-up on my 380SE, and probably many others) is that someone has jimmied the stainless plate with the little spring loaded door covering the key slot, probably an attempt to open the trunk without a key. In short, the entire end cover is missing, so the lock button's die-cast metal internals, most likely the tumbler itself, are exposed Looks like s**t on a stick.
The key works though, in all positions. My problem is that this plate appears to be held in by the pressed-inward circumference of the chrome button housing. I have an older trunk lock/button assembly from an older 70's Mercedes, with a different size button and cover plate that won't fit, but I pulled it apart to see if this cover plate could be removed and reused (if I found one the right diameter). I could find no way to get the tumbler out of the chrome sleeve without destroying either the tumbler or the sleeve.
Do I need to order a custom keyed tumbler with the entire button from the dealer to replace this little end plate?

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus