Replacing Ignition Tumbler, 92 400E, The real story

[Socalmat]

Been a long time, but I received so much bad info I thought it my duty to post this.
Order ignition tumbler. It comes with a key. I ordered an extra key at the same time. You will need the registration and a picture ID. My cost was $105.
Remove the headlight knob. It pulls straight out. Remove large nut underneath. Start on left side and pop off the plastic trim that covers from the light switch to the ignition switch. Careful, there are wires on the left side. Flip it over the steering wheel and let it hang on the left. I didn't try to disconnect them. Unscrew the lower bolster and push it down out of the way. There are two down by your feet and four of five across the dash. Also there are three around the brake release. One of those you must pull the handle out to get to. Then there is another holding the hood release up. Once the bolster is out of the way, then you have good access to the tumblers.
There is a metal collar around the ignition switch. It is black. It will come off, straight out, with everything else. Do not try and unscrew it. You will scratch it unnecessarily.
The best tool I could devise for the job was a coat hanger. Cut two pieces about five inches long. Grind an angle on one end of each of them. About a 70 degree angle, fairly sharp. Turn the key to the number two position. That is where the buzzer screams at you but the dash lights are still off. There are two slots in the ignition tumbler area. Turn the key back and forth slightly from this position until you can slid the coat hangers into the slots. I put my foot on the door light switch to keep the buzzer off. The top slot also releases the collar. They must be pushed in all the say to the end in order to release the collar. It took my about 40 minutes to wiggle it all off. My tumbler fell apart in my hand when it finally did come off. That is why it is important to accomplish this before the key gets too bad. I had to lubricate switch the ignition to get it to turn. If you wait too long I believe it then becomes a towing company and a dealers job.

[olsb19]

Hello Socalmat,

Could you explain in more details how did you take the black collar out?

Thanks.

[hamada128]

this thread is 3 years old, i dont think Socalmat still comes to this forum any more!

[olsb19]

Thanks Hamada,

I got my problem solved already.

[tuttebenne]

Originally Posted by olsb19

Hello Socalmat,

Could you explain in more details how did you take the black collar out?

Thanks.

Take the two wires (I use one piece of coat hanger, bent into a U shape) snip off the ends at an angle, so there is a point on the end of each end of the wire. Don't snip it as if you were creating a point like on a pencil.

Turn the ignition to the number 2 position and push the wires into the two holes. If you have done this right, just retract the wire while holding the key and it should come straight out with the collar on it.

[olsb19]

I got it done. Thanks tuttebenne for your help.