Any lock tumbler knowledgeable guys here? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

donbryce · #1 01-22-2008, 11:14 AM

I've searched in vain to find information on this. My problem is the trunk lock on my 560SL is missing the stainless 'door' that covers the key slot innerds. See picture 1. I need to back the tumbler assembly out of the chrome button about 1/4" to install a new 'cap' with the little door and spring that covers the slot. Does anyone have an idea how to do this?
From another poster, I think the lock tumbler/button might be a unit assembly, but I'm not sure. I have no dealer here. Has anyone ever ordered a new trunk lock tumbler/key, and what did they send, a complete chrome button with tumbler installed, or just the tumbler/stainless cap/door installed?
My key/lock works fine, so I'd just as soon keep the lock. I have an older version of this trunk button, and was able to pound the tumbler out the distance needed, but the operation mangled the tumbler and the key doesn't work properly now. See picture 2. I don't want to wreck the one I have.
Any locksmiths out there?

donbryce · #2 02-04-2008, 09:21 PM

Sorry to bump this, but I now have 2 stainless end caps, complete with closing flap and springs, and they will fit right on the button end...if only I could figure out how to expose the end of the tumbler enough to secure the cap....Anyone...please ???

mpolli · #3 02-04-2008, 09:32 PM

I can't tell you much other than if it can come out the key has to be in it. Which is to say, I hope you had the key in it when you were trying to pull it out. It definitely can't come out without the key in it.

Zeus · #4 02-05-2008, 11:33 AM

If it is similar to the locks in my old W124, you had to insert the key fully, rotate the cylinder about 30 degrees to the right and the entire assembly would pull out. Be careful to keep the key inside the cylinder while removing and while removed, so the tumblers don't fall out. Not sure about your model though...so this all may not apply.

donbryce · #5 02-05-2008, 04:19 PM

Whoopeee....I figured it out. THANKS GUYS! You were both right on the $. Actually, Zeus, I was out in the shop at the time you posted, and discovered the trick, exactly as you described. To make it easier for others to search, I'm going to start a new thread on the fix-it procedure.

300holst · #6 02-06-2008, 03:50 PM

I have had two of those stainless steel lock "doors" come off this winter. The driver's door and the trunk locks have done this. I noticed, in passing, a newer MBZ had the same problem with their passenger door. I have never had this happen before on the many, many makes of cars I have owned.

The only information I have found on this was that the lock tumbler assembly had to be changed as a unit. The "doors" were not available as new parts. The repair information also stated that the fastening of the "doors" was changed from peened-on to swaged-on starting with the '87 model.

I just bought a complete set of locks with keys from an '88 300E on Ebay and will put them in when I can find time.

donbryce · #7 02-06-2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300holst

The only information I have found on this was that the lock tumbler assembly had to be changed as a unit. The "doors" were not available as new parts. The repair information also stated that the fastening of the "doors" was changed from peened-on to swaged-on starting with the '87 model.

I just bought a complete set of locks with keys from an '88 300E on Ebay and will put them in when I can find time.

Could you post the information that you found? I couldn't find anything on this, looked for months off and on.

BTW, if you are interested (too late I'd expect, unless your EBay stuff doesn't pan out), here's the promised thread on fixing/replacing those 'doors' http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=212865

300holst · #8 03-08-2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donbryce

Could you post the information that you found? I couldn't find anything on this, looked for months off and on.

BTW, if you are interested (too late I'd expect, unless your EBay stuff doesn't pan out), here's the promised thread on fixing/replacing those 'doors' http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=212865

Sorry I haven't replied sooner. I believe the information about the door repair came from AllData. The next time I'm at the city library, I'll try to remember to check that out. Our library has AllData but you must go there to use it.

300holst · #9 03-14-2008, 07:15 PM

I tried to post the entire Alldata page which discusses various repairs and changes to the door locks with no success. I couldn't get the image on the page to copy into this message. However, here is a copy of the statements from Alldata regarding repairs when the cylinder caps are missing:

A. Lock Cylinder Cover Plate Loose or Missing
If the lock cylinder cap (arrow) is loose or missing, the entire lock cylinder mechanism must be replaced (Figure 1).
Note: The lock cylinder mechanism number must be included when ordering parts.
As of February 1987 (production phase-in) the lock cylinder caps of the front doors and the trunk lid are swaged (previously peened over)

Have you found a source for just the caps?

donbryce · #10 03-14-2008, 09:29 PM

I can't even get a page out of Adobe Reader to save on my harddrive so I can upload it. Thanks for trying, great forum spirit..

stevebfl · #11 03-15-2008, 03:35 PM

A bit off the lock subject, but a handy tool to transfer info: www.cutepdf.com

There is a freeware version that creats a default printer on your system. The document that you set to print is captured to a pdf and is then storable for transmission or future reference. It is great for picking 2-3 pages or more out of a 300 page pdf document. It also works well for programs not designed to be saved electronically such as Alldata. By printing to a pdf you get electronically what your printer would have documented.

This does not eliminate one's ability to print, it just causes a print box to pop up and one can choose among printer options already set-up including the cutepdf one. For the geeks this is probably too simple, but it was the best thing for me. I have it on all my terminals now.

300holst · #12 03-17-2008, 01:08 PM

Steve,

I downloaded and installed the CutePDF program and it does work nicely as you said. However, the files from AllData converted to a PDF document which was too large to attach to the forum reply. The PDF document was about 2X too large and consisted of 6 pages. I am not at all familiar with generating PDF documents. Is there a way to convert just a part of the original document or to attach only one page of the 6 pages?

I did try copying the pertinent page from the AllData information to a MSWord document and then attached that to this reply. Well see if that works.

P.S. I just figured out how to convert just one page to PDF. Duhhhh

Really simple, just print only the page you desire with the CuteDF program, really simple, but today my brain is even simpler!

stevebfl · #13 03-17-2008, 01:47 PM

I was going to say that if the smallest print out Alldata would generate was 6 pages, then all one needs to do is open it and print again just the page/pages necessary. Your attachment is a doc file and as such is most likely much less viewable as an image than would be a pdf.