E39 Steering lock keeps jamming.

[Grahamr123]

I've just bought a 525TDS '96. its great except for a problem with the steering lock. It keeps jamming when you try and turn the key in the ignition. You can turn the key half way into the first position but it springs back if you let go. You can turn the steering wheel left and right and it eventually unlocks.

I've had a look around the forum and it seems to be a common problem but I'm not sure if its the actual barrel or the whole locking mechanism.

The car is lovely except for this one rather annoying problem, So I hope its not too expensive to fix.

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

It might be worth getting a can of WD40 or GT85 or something, poking the straw into the ignition barrel and spraying away. Depending on the design of the unit, some of the lubricant should find it's way past the switching unit and down onto the steering lock mechanism?