Steering lock problem - please help
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
W210 E280
Steering lock problem - please help
Hi Guys,
I've just managed to do something stupid - I had an ignition switch problem and I removed the switch to fix it, but when I came to put it back it wouldn't go into the steering lock properly. The I realised that the steering lock had triggered somehow.... Oh, heck! Is there a way to release it?
The car's stuck in my garage and certainly not easy to move (poor access for a tow-truck) so I need to release this in situ by some means.
Any (helpful!) comments appreciated.
Thanks, Bob.
I've just managed to do something stupid - I had an ignition switch problem and I removed the switch to fix it, but when I came to put it back it wouldn't go into the steering lock properly. The I realised that the steering lock had triggered somehow.... Oh, heck! Is there a way to release it?
The car's stuck in my garage and certainly not easy to move (poor access for a tow-truck) so I need to release this in situ by some means.
Any (helpful!) comments appreciated.
Thanks, Bob.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
W210 E280
Hi Guys,
I've just managed to do something stupid - I had an ignition switch problem and I removed the switch to fix it, but when I came to put it back it wouldn't go into the steering lock properly. The I realised that the steering lock had triggered somehow.... Oh, heck! Is there a way to release it?
The car's stuck in my garage and certainly not easy to move (poor access for a tow-truck) so I need to release this in situ by some means.
Any (helpful!) comments appreciated.
Thanks, Bob.
I've just managed to do something stupid - I had an ignition switch problem and I removed the switch to fix it, but when I came to put it back it wouldn't go into the steering lock properly. The I realised that the steering lock had triggered somehow.... Oh, heck! Is there a way to release it?
The car's stuck in my garage and certainly not easy to move (poor access for a tow-truck) so I need to release this in situ by some means.
Any (helpful!) comments appreciated.
Thanks, Bob.
Should anyone have the same problem and manage to trip the mechanical steering lock, I now have a quick and easy method to reset it (without destroying it!)
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
2002 Mercedes Benz E320
I don't mean to go off-topic or waste space with a new thread, but I have question. Am I supposed to hear a locking/clicking noise when I insert/remove the key from the ignition?
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
e320,honda ridgeline
Gentlemen, I tried to replace the ignition switch on my 96 e320 since i have on & off starting problem.I kept in position 0 when I removed the ignition switch and position 1 aux.but when I replaced the protective sleeve assembly into steering lock I encountered a problem,it does not go all the way.About 1/4 of an inch gap. What is wrong? I tripped the steering lock few times w/ your help was able to unlatched it.
Your help wll be appreciated.
Your help wll be appreciated.
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MB’s of all kinds.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
W210 E280
W210 (and similar models) Steering lock release (when accidentally triggered)
SEE MY EARLIER THREAD POSTING - Should anyone have the same problem and manage to trip the mechanical steering lock, I now have a quick and easy method to reset it (without destroying it!)
N.B. Private message me with your email address as I need to send you a PDF.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
e-class w210
hi could you send me the pdf file so i can find out how to release this i have a e-class 280 1997 e-mail address is john.w.mulligan@btopenworld.com many thanks
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 18
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W210 E280
1) I won't get the request because I've got something better to do with my time than hang around here all day and night, and
2) without an email address I can't send an attachment.
So, wake up RichardM98!
;-)
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 18
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W210 E280
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,564
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From: SoCal
98 Brilliant Silver E320 Wagon
Didn't take long for you to notice my post
You can use the private email feature to send a link to any member of the forum. You can also add a PDF to a posing.
To date, I haven't seen any evidence of your great solution. Not from you or anyone who sent you their email for over 2 years! If you have a solution post it.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 18
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W210 E280
ROFLMAO!
Didn't take long for you to notice my post
You can use the private email feature to send a link to any member of the forum. You can also add a PDF to a posing.
To date, I haven't seen any evidence of your great solution. Not from you or anyone who sent you their email for over 2 years! If you have a solution post it.
Didn't take long for you to notice my post
You can use the private email feature to send a link to any member of the forum. You can also add a PDF to a posing.
To date, I haven't seen any evidence of your great solution. Not from you or anyone who sent you their email for over 2 years! If you have a solution post it.
RichardM98, OK, I have no problem with you wanting to have a pop at me if you like, but I don't think we should clutter this thread with academic argument and spoil the board for other users, so I'll send you a PM and take this off board.
Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,564
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From: SoCal
98 Brilliant Silver E320 Wagon
The purpose of a public forum is to exchange ideas and information openly. From my experience those who would like to play games or manipulate use the back door.
I received the following message from the OP:
"RichardM98, OK, I have no problem with you wanting to have a pop at me if you like, but for the sake of other people who do genuinely have a locked steering and would benefit from help (which you cannot get from a merc dealer even - I know, I tried when I messed up my own), why don't you engage your brain before letting your postings get ahead of you.
If you have doubts, surely, rather than posting inane comment without any basis in fact, would it not have been a good idea to simply ask me?
The reason I have been on line to even see your post was because I was answering private message requests from other people. When I get requests for the info I check them out to see if I feel they are likely legit, because the info will tell them how to disable a theft security device.
Besides, it's very easy for you to contact the administrators and find out just when and how often I've been on the site over the past two years, which might save you from making errors of judgement leading to postings casting aspersions upon the goodwill of others who you do not know.
As I have explained earlier in the thread (you did read it, I assume?), I do not feel that it is in people's general interest that I post the consise instructions which could be used to assist in stealing a vehicle on an open forum for anyone to read. Anyway, I'd expect the moderator might pull it anyway, if he/she is doing their job.
The same applies to hosting it somewhere else and posting a link (I have no hosting facility set up at the moment anyway, as it happens).
Those people who have had the information have usually reverted back to me privately (email is two way - when I send the PDF, they get my contact) to say thanks. It's not my fault they don't post a review on the board, is it? Nor can I oblige them so do do, can I?
Quite often they are new members anyway, who arrive just seeking a solution to the dilemma of having 'tripped' the steering lock. Perhaps you don't realise quite how worrying for people this is because you have never been in that situation. Perhaps you don't understand just how secure this steering lock actually is? I was told to smash it with a big hammer (which will wreck the steeling columm housing), hacksaw it off (it's hardended steel and that still won't release it as it's held in by a stepped bolt) and even burn it off with a cutting torch (yes right next to all the stuff under the dash, again involving cutting the steering column housing). Quite a few people even said it's impossible without replacing the steeing column!
To find a better solution, I had to buy a new lock ($130, which I still have unused) and examine it. That enabled me to sort out something that could be done in minutes with simple tools.
As the merc dealers are not even aware of this solution (to the best of my knowledge) clearly no one else was likely to be either, so I spent an evening photographing and typing up to make a little service document - the PDF. A simple selfless act for the benefit of others.
So, hopefully this will now start to make some sense to you. Perhaps if it does, you may like to follow the example of simple selfless acts and let people visiting the thread know that you were a little hasty with your earlier comments.
If not, please feel free to continue 'ROFLMAO' and hopefully your '***' will detach itself soon. It will likely be a lot sooner that any poor individuals struggling to unlock the steering on their immobilised vehicles for the want of a simple solution!
Kind regards,
Jonssen."
I received the following message from the OP:
"RichardM98, OK, I have no problem with you wanting to have a pop at me if you like, but for the sake of other people who do genuinely have a locked steering and would benefit from help (which you cannot get from a merc dealer even - I know, I tried when I messed up my own), why don't you engage your brain before letting your postings get ahead of you.
If you have doubts, surely, rather than posting inane comment without any basis in fact, would it not have been a good idea to simply ask me?
The reason I have been on line to even see your post was because I was answering private message requests from other people. When I get requests for the info I check them out to see if I feel they are likely legit, because the info will tell them how to disable a theft security device.
Besides, it's very easy for you to contact the administrators and find out just when and how often I've been on the site over the past two years, which might save you from making errors of judgement leading to postings casting aspersions upon the goodwill of others who you do not know.
As I have explained earlier in the thread (you did read it, I assume?), I do not feel that it is in people's general interest that I post the consise instructions which could be used to assist in stealing a vehicle on an open forum for anyone to read. Anyway, I'd expect the moderator might pull it anyway, if he/she is doing their job.
The same applies to hosting it somewhere else and posting a link (I have no hosting facility set up at the moment anyway, as it happens).
Those people who have had the information have usually reverted back to me privately (email is two way - when I send the PDF, they get my contact) to say thanks. It's not my fault they don't post a review on the board, is it? Nor can I oblige them so do do, can I?
Quite often they are new members anyway, who arrive just seeking a solution to the dilemma of having 'tripped' the steering lock. Perhaps you don't realise quite how worrying for people this is because you have never been in that situation. Perhaps you don't understand just how secure this steering lock actually is? I was told to smash it with a big hammer (which will wreck the steeling columm housing), hacksaw it off (it's hardended steel and that still won't release it as it's held in by a stepped bolt) and even burn it off with a cutting torch (yes right next to all the stuff under the dash, again involving cutting the steering column housing). Quite a few people even said it's impossible without replacing the steeing column!
To find a better solution, I had to buy a new lock ($130, which I still have unused) and examine it. That enabled me to sort out something that could be done in minutes with simple tools.
As the merc dealers are not even aware of this solution (to the best of my knowledge) clearly no one else was likely to be either, so I spent an evening photographing and typing up to make a little service document - the PDF. A simple selfless act for the benefit of others.
So, hopefully this will now start to make some sense to you. Perhaps if it does, you may like to follow the example of simple selfless acts and let people visiting the thread know that you were a little hasty with your earlier comments.
If not, please feel free to continue 'ROFLMAO' and hopefully your '***' will detach itself soon. It will likely be a lot sooner that any poor individuals struggling to unlock the steering on their immobilised vehicles for the want of a simple solution!
Kind regards,
Jonssen."
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
W210 E280
The purpose of a public forum is to exchange ideas and information openly. From my experience those who would like to play games or manipulate use the back door.
I received the following message from the OP:
"RichardM98, OK, I have no problem with you wanting to have a pop at me if you like, but for the sake of other people...
I received the following message from the OP:
"RichardM98, OK, I have no problem with you wanting to have a pop at me if you like, but for the sake of other people...
Yes RichardM98, indeed I did, 9 days ago, and I have no objection to you posting a copy of it. The simple courtesy of an acknowledgement would have be nice though.
As your stated view is that this forum is for the 'exchange of ideas and information openly' I'd have thought you might have presented some reasoned response in preference to continuing malevolent inuendo.
Ah, well..., c'est la vie.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
1997 e320
steering lock problem
So im experiencing the same situation, i removed the sleeve in position 1 because i had no choice ( key broke in the tumbler) i have a replacement out of a used car, when i went to put it in it wont line up because the steering lock engaged when i removed the old ignition! I PM'd you JONSSEN.... please help, they are threatening to tow my car if i dont move it soon!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
W210 E280
So im experiencing the same situation, i removed the sleeve in position 1 because i had no choice ( key broke in the tumbler) i have a replacement out of a used car, when i went to put it in it wont line up because the steering lock engaged when i removed the old ignition! I PM'd you JONSSEN.... please help, they are threatening to tow my car if i dont move it soon!
You might be confusing things there - as I understand it, position 1 is the correct position in which to remove the key-lock barrel or the ignition switch and it's cover. As I understand it, Pos'n 0 = Off (remove key), Pos'n 1 = Aux., Pos'n 2 = ign. on, Pos'n 3 = crank.
Please would someone correct me if I'm wrong. Tks.
