Hi New to forum - W123 300TD - Advice appreciated

[W123chris]

Hello fellow Merc people, I have a beautiful shiney red 1985 - W123 300 estate which means a lot to me - grew up in the car (aswel as a house ofcourse) she was my grandaddys and we have seen some miles - however the major problem at the moment is the Ignition Barrel needs replacing due to some pins that hold the key barrel giving way (apparently as I'm no mechanic, I know bits and bobs and things about engines but im no expert) So I'm told I need another Ignition barrel from a 300D - which I am really struggling to find and nobody seems to know how to help me I was wondering if anybody can tell me would an ignition barrel from a W124 work - or do Mercedes have a classic parts warehouse I could contact or anything ? Any help or advice would be ever so much appreciated it's been in the garage nearly 10 weeks I do miss her so haha thanks - Chris 27 - Manchester UK

 

[Dave Richardson]

Welcome to the family, I'm afraid that I'm unable to advise on the barrel though

 

[AMGeed]

Welcome to the forum Chris.

If you get stuck, give Shaun Zealey a call at MB-Poole where they specialise in parts for classic MB models including W123's

http://www.mercedes-benzofpoole.co....dOc9aD8nnQVu9EsZ3UDoJUuitIh_cM.attachment.pdf

http://www.mercedes-benzofpoole.co....rvice-repair/mercedes-benz-classic-parts.html

 

[W123chris]

Thanks I would have joined sooner had I known this is great, and thanks AMGeed I've had a nosey at links looks promising just what I needed il get on to that first thing tomorrow your a star bud thanks

 

[a111r]

The 'key' question here is: can you turn it to position 2 or is it jammed with steering lock on, which sounds likely as you mention pins?

If you can get to position 2, then it's easy to extract the barrel.You can order a new one from MB that matches your original key for c. £140. Or you can get an after-market barrel and 2 keys for 15 quid if you don't mind have more than one key. They are the same for all 123, whatever the fuel.

If you can't then the steering lock has to be cut off which is labour intensive.
I replaced my barrel as a preventative measure @ 162K miles as it felt slack and wobbly.

 

[W123chris]

Hi well the problem is the key and key barrel just spin around so unable to turn the car off had to unhook the battery so as yet the steering lock hasn't engaged so steering wheel is free, the barrel has already been removed. Do you know where I would go about getting an after market barrel and would it have the right vacuum thingy mabob for the 300 diesel ? Sorry I'm not very technical with the finer mechanical things but the chaps have told me the petrol barrels won't work and it has to be 300Diesel, otherwise do you know how to order from MB would it be with the chap in Poole in above link, all advice appreciated finally feel I'm getting somewhere now haha cheers

 

[grober]

Mercedes-Benz W123 Ignition Tumbler Removal | W123 (1977-1985) | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

Mercedes-Benz W123 Ignition Switch and Assembly Replacement | W123 (1977-1985) | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

 

[a111r]

Hi well the problem is the key and key barrel just spin around so unable to turn the car off had to unhook the battery so as yet the steering lock hasn't engaged so steering wheel is free, the barrel has already been removed. Do you know where I would go about getting an after market barrel and would it have the right vacuum thingy mabob for the 300 diesel ? Sorry I'm not very technical with the finer mechanical things but the chaps have told me the petrol barrels won't work and it has to be 300Diesel, otherwise do you know how to order from MB would it be with the chap in Poole in above link, all advice appreciated finally feel I'm getting somewhere now haha cheers

You've had duff advice.
The barrels are all the same, hence the vacuum issue for the diesels is immaterial.
A quick seach finds:
Ignition Barrel Cylinder W123 S123 W126 R107 C123 C126 1234620479 17760 | eBay

Mine was 'Topran' branded...and I was impressed with the quality.

 

[alabbasi]

You should be able to order a key from Mercedes Benz with a barrel that is matched to the car. I've done this on a W126 and R107 on a couple of occasions. I've also had to replace steering lock with jammed barrel and it's the job from hell. I learned it the hard way but hopefully my experience can make your life easier.

This is what you'll have to do.

Parts needed:
New key and lock from dealer (ordered to match your vin).
New ignition lock assembly
New casing (the round black thing that goes around the barrel)

Tools needed
Screwdrivers (Phillips and flat head)
Sawzall or angle grinder
13mm socket and ratchet
Die grinder / dremil tool
Hex socket (not sure what size but to remove wheel. Could also be a large nut)

Steps:

Remove and disconnect instrument cluster
Remove panel under the dash
you should see 2 13mm bolts holding the steering column remove these and drop the steering column
Grab the steering wheel and give a good tug down to lower steering column so that you can have more room to work
Remove Steering wheel
If you look under the column you will see a pin this is part of the lock assembly, when the lock engages, the pin drops and prevents the lock from being removed. You will need to use a die grinder to grind down this pin.
Then cut using a sawzall or angle grinder the of the lock assembly where it leaves the column (circular bit at the neck) .

You'll now have the ability to slide the old lock out of the column and unscrew the ignition barrel out of the switch to replace with a new assembly and lock

Then attach the switch to the lock assembly and slide it back into the column and put everything back together.
Lastly , insert the lock barrel , followed by the hardened casing.

Hope this helps.

 

[W123chris]

Thanks for all help chaps really appreciated, I hadn't explained properly it's not the key barrel that is the issue its the actual steering lock ignition switch with the vacuum Valves I need, the full unit the key barrel goes into, I've seen some for sale in America I may have to do some shipping research I don't understand customs n such, fingers crossed, thanks people and love the site

 

[grober]

technically you don't need the vacuum valve in the ignition switch if you were to rig up a manual engine stop vacuum switch.

and

How does the W123 shutoff system work - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

 

[Mercland]

I think the W123 barrels are still available from the dealer coded to the original key. If not they will certainly be able to order you a a key & barrell.

I know they stopped selling the door locks, but the barrels were available a few months back when I last ordered one.

 

[alabbasi]

I think that AutohausAZ ships globally. If you can't get it from there. PM me and ill get it to you.

Thanks.