Steering Lock Assembly wearing out? Starting car with screwdriver the last 3 months...

Steering Lock Assembly wearing out? Starting car with screwdriver the last 3 months...

Rmember my story about my faulty tumbler and lock and how I got it fixed for 100 bucks?? Well, I never did get a new tumbler so I have been starting my car with a screwdriver...The last two times it has given me trouble after being hassle free for 3 months...First, the steering wheel locked for the first time in 3 months...After a few minutes, I got it unlocked and started...The very next time, the key would turn but not to the ignition spot to turn over...I heard a clicking noise down near the radio sort of then...After jiggling the screwdriver and sweating bullets for 10 minutes, it turned over...I should note that I was camping in Arizona then, and live in Oregon...so I drove all the way home without shutting my car off...Even slept a few hours with it idling at the rest area like the truckers...Just more proof that these engines are amazing...So back to the steering lock assembly, what should I do? I called MB in Tucson and they wanted close to $200 for the part plus labor...which I cannot afford. Any help would be gratefully appreciated.