A few weeks back I had my sticky ignition key repaired by my Indy. It has completely frozen, so he had to drill out the locking pin to get the assembly out. Once out, he opened the little trap door cover and removed the spring and the pin which extends out to the steering column.


All is well and the assembly has been working like butter ever since. Only thing is that when you turn off the ignition and remove the key, the steering wheel still locks! My understanding is that with that pin and spring removed it should no longer be possible to lock the steering wheel. Is that correct or am I misunderstanding something very basic about this assembly? Not that I'm complaining, but the curiosity is burning a hole in my brain!

 

the steering wheel should still lock after doing the sticky key fix.

 

I could be wrong, but I think it still locks. I have not done mine yet..any day now.

 

Of course it still locks, what you removed (so I have been told) is a redundant latch that keeps the plunger extended unless you turn the key.

With the parts gone, there is no "LOCKING" of the plunger, but that does not matter, since there is no way to get in there and push the plunger back anyway. And THAT is apparently why MB left those two parts out in 07 and 08 models.

 

OK, well I guess thats over-engineering at it's most exquisite. So, what extends the plunger in that locks the wheel anyway??????

 

Pizza is the man!! He is totally correct as usual!

 

When you turn the key that moves a slide in the ignition housing that has the steering lock tab on the end