tap1369

Hi, here we go!
Four days ago my Ignition key start turning hard, and got stuck in position 1. After 2 hours vibrating (with electric shaver), lubricating (DW-40) and playng with it - finally bring it to position 0 (that was kind of stuped, as I found later) and my stering whell locked!
Under the dashboard looked too "Spase shattely", so I decded to try staing on the surface (not disasembling the whole thing). So I removed the plastic lock cover, the lock protective housing (took 2 h. to crack add brake it to pieces with big plyers - it is ~$20), used the so called wire tool to remove the thumbler (it came out even in position 0 - ~$98) and thats it. Now I can start the car, but it will go just in circle, witch is fun, but just for a day or two!
In order to unlock the stearig whell I lift the front wheels in the air to release any pressure from the lock, but... nothing!
Any ideas?!?
Thanks!
Ted

Silentlyamused

Hey, i'm experiencing the same problem with my 400Se so im guessing its gotta be a common problem, i was quoted $1500 AU to have it replaced by a merc dealer and the average locksmith's have been refusing to do it saying its to complex.

tap1369

Hi,
After 8 days reading and sweting around all kind of bad offers, I finally got it fixed. I cost me about $300 (Ebay ) for parts, about 10 hours around the car and at least 10 hours browsing internet for info, 2 minor wounds on my left hand, and red eyes (after cutting the old steering lock above my head).
In my case the key was in "0" position, no turning, steering lock - locked!
What I did (I will just skip all the mistakes down the road):
0. Disconect the batery!!!
1. Remove the lower dash board pannel
2. Unscrew the plastic cover around the thumbler on the dash-board
3. What you see under the thumbler plasic cover (removed) is the thumbler housing ($25). Destroy it with big plyers (cracking and twisting, cutting pieces until it's removed);
4. Using the so called wire tool try to disengage the brackets that are holding the thumbler on place (the two wires go at 1 and 7 o'cl) push, pull, twist - until it start moving out. Dont give up!
5. Try to fit your hand from below to rich the cluster pannel from behind. Push it out first on left, then on the right side. Or oposite it should go out. And remove it.
6. On the empty spot you will see 2 little screws (for the plastic steering box cover) - remove them and 2 big nuts, that hold the whole steering box on place - remove them too. Now the steering box dropped down and you have some space to cut the old steering lock. Watch for the cables, and dont damage the steering box (make damages just to the frickin lock). When you are done the filling is great!!! I used Dremmel with 3 different types of cutters, but the best performing one was just a drill bit (good one) - I did multiple holes and conected them. When you reach criticall mass of scraches , holes, the thing will brake!!!
7. Disconect the wire that goes directly to the neck of the lock.

Now is time to clean the mess, take the brocken lock, spend time with it to find out how it works and find replacement). Puting it back is EASY compared to the removal. Remember - When you are putting the thing together everything should be in position "1", or you MAY start the whole exercise all over again!!!
Good luck!
Ted

jonssen

You do not need to do this - you simply need to unlatch the steering lock.

A liitle Googling would have lead you to this thread:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w140...k-problem.html

Jon.