What is the best lubricant for 124 lock cylinders / tumblers?

[Trae]

What lubricant is best for our ignition, trunk, and door tumblers?

 

[gsxr]

Re: OEM Key set for 94 E500

What lubricant is best for our ignition, trunk, and door tumblers?

Best stuff? The MB lock lube. which of course is NLA.

EDIT: See post #30-#31 below, the lube p/n 002-989-06-51-09 is still available as of June 2020 (and October 2025). Click here for Naperville pricing.


See post #19 at this thread, the VW / Porche spray would be fine (likely identical to MB), but that is NLA as well.

Next up is trying to source the Liqui-Moly spray from overseas via a group buy from helpful members across the pond.

Dunno what other stuff would be recommended; the MB lube was a clear liquid in aerosol form, not dry graphite.

Found this old post from Doc Booth recommending to avoid graphite or conductive lubes:

Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 08:59:27 -0400​

From: Marshall Booth​

Subject: Re: MB Locks​

​

Whatever the MB stuff is (they're not saying) it isn't conductive so it​

won't cause problems with the alarm switches (like graphite based​

lubricants do). Works quite differently (at least lasted MUCH longer)​

than the silicone sprays I've tried.​

​

Marshall​

- --​

Marshall Booth (who doesn't respond to unsigned questions)​

"der Dieseling Doktor" mbooth@pitt.edu​

'87 300TD 181Kmi,'87 190D 2.5 199Kmi, '84 190D 2.2 227Kmi, '85 190D 2.0​

159Kmi, '87 190D 2.5 turbo 234kmi​

Diesel Technical Advisor MBCA, member GWSection​

http://www.dhc.net/~pmhack/mercedes/mbooth1.htm​

 

[BenzMercD]

Re: OEM Key set for 94 E500

Best stuff? The MB lock lube, which of course is NLA.

are you sure? it could have just been updated or superseded.
if i remember, ill ask tomorow.

 

[gerryvz]

Re: OEM Key set for 94 E500

are you sure? it could have just been updated or superseded.
if i remember, ill ask tomorow.

It's been discussed on this forum, and checked and double-checked. The stuff is NLA from MB.

https://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11620&p=148346&viewfull=1#post148346

 

[gerryvz]

Re: OEM Key set for 94 E500

It's been discussed on this forum, and checked and double-checked. The stuff is NLA from MB.

https://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11620&p=148346&viewfull=1#post148346

Though a few of us have a supply in our parts stashes....

May want to try this "new" (updated) part number for availability, though: 002 989 06 51 09

 

[JC220]

Re: OEM Key set for 94 E500

When I tried to order 002 989 06 51 recently Gerry my dealer allowed me to place the order..... that was around 6 months ago now and still a no show. He told me to forget about it that it's likely to never come now.

I am trying a local VW dealer to order their lock lube spray can today (if they are still available) From the pictures it looks like it could be the identical product as MB.

 

[JC220]

Re: OEM Key set for 94 E500

I was able to place an order for one VW lock cylinder grease spray G052778A2. They said it might come back with a min order qty and they will let me know if that happens.

 

[BenzMercD]

Re: OEM Key set for 94 E500

Dang it! I literally just got ahold of it and took pictures. We ordered another from Germany. We'll see when it gets here.

 

[gsxr]

Re: OEM Key set for 94 E500

Dang it! I literally just got ahold of it and took pictures. We ordered another from Germany. We'll see when it gets here.

Are those photos of a recent can you just purchased? Or old stock?

 

[ace10]

Re: OEM Key set for 94 E500

BMD, you better keep that stuff locked up. There's not telling what these vultures around here will do.

 

[nocfn]

Re: OEM Key set for 94 E500

is this a PTFE type product made by DuPont?

 

[RicardoD]

It seems like we are over-thinking this, but this is the 500E board so of course we are. Isn't something like this just fine from Masterlock. Doesn't Masterlock know a bit about locks?

https://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-Lubricant-Biodegradable-2300D/dp/B004FV4TNE

 

[alabbasi]

Someone on the Rolls Royce forums suggested this for my jammed lock cylinder. I've not used it yet.

https://www.amazon.com/CRC-03084-Lu...pID=41VmBuTwluL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

 

[Trae]

I guess over- engineering and over-thinking go hand in hand, and with the internet, we don't want anything but the BEST, hence this conversation about lock lubricant.
Heck, this may be the beginning of yet another type of "oil thread"!

 

[maw1124]

I’ll take the bait... is WD40 no good? I’ve only used it on the Audi, as it spends the most time outside. Should I not use that method on cars I care more about?

maw

 

[Stevester 500E]

has anyone been able to bring back to life a locked up door cylinder?

 

[kwontumspeed]

I've used this over a period of decades on all cars that I've owned, places I've rented, homes I've purchased. Although not design for locks or tumblers, never had an issue over all that time.
Yes, I'm a cyclist so had it in my tool box.

http://www.finishlineusa.com/products/chain-lubricants/wet-lube

 

[gerryvz]

I’ll take the bait... is WD40 no good? I’ve only used it on the Audi, as it spends the most time outside. Should I not use that method on cars I care more about?

maw

In the Dark Ages before I was able to obtain the MB lock juice, I used Tri-Flow for many years with great success. It's good stuff.

I'm actually quite surprised that GSXR hasn't chimed in with a handy solution from his Uncle Kent.

https://mercedessource.com/store/screw-cap-style-ignition-tumbler-service-and-replacement-tool-kit

https://mercedessource.com/steering-lock-problems

 

[500limper]

if this is NLA, - is there a New Mercedes Product out there? what do they use at the Mercedes workshop today ? some cheap juice ?

 

[JC220]

I picked up my can of VW lock cylinder lubricant this morning. It does look identical to the product in the pictures of this thread except for VW - not MB branding. £9.79 GBP Inc tax

 

[gerryvz]

I picked up my can of VW lock cylinder lubricant this morning. It does look identical to the product in the pictures of this thread except for VW - not MB branding. £9.79 GBP Inc tax

Let’s hope that your MB locks don’t reject being lubricated by a VAG product and fail on you prematurely.

 

[gsxr]

I picked up my can of VW lock cylinder lubricant this morning. It does look identical to the product in the pictures of this thread except for VW - not MB branding. £9.79 GBP Inc tax

Joe, can you post a photo and part number for the VW can you picked up? This appeared to have been NLA in USA, I'm curious if it was temporary NLA, or if you scored some NOS leftovers.

 

[JC220]

Joe, can you post a photo and part number for the VW can you picked up? This appeared to have been NLA in USA, I'm curious if it was temporary NLA, or if you scored some NOS leftovers.

Yes no problem Dave I will do that when I get home in a few hours. They said it came in from Germany. It was AOK to order- I would say more are available indeed I might buy a couple more cans in case it does also go NLA with VW

 

[Trae]

Just ordered this:

https://www.idparts.com/lock-lubrication-spray-p-3345.html


Lock Lubrication Spray
OEM VW Part Number: G052778A2

 

[JC220]

I cant see a manufacture date on the can - but it seems "fresh" stock. It is a white greasy lubricant and seems to work very nicely. Done the door lock, ignition tumbler and trunk lock on the S280 and the door + trunk lock on my w211 so far. The little fitting on the can is a squirter which fits into the keyhole. A couple squirts, work the key in and out a dozen times with a few more squirts as needed to get it 100% smooth then wipe off the smoo and your done.

 

[JC220]

Also the text on the lid says "with De-Icing effect"

 

[gsxr]

I think the reason I suspected G052778A2 was NLA is that ECS shows NLA... but someone would need to pester a VW dealer in USA to confirm:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-porsche-parts/grease-no-longer-available/g052778a2~por/

Veedub's website shows a price, but as we know with MB, that doesn't necessarily confirm availability:
https://parts.vw.com/p/Volkswagen__/LUB-SPRAY/53596107/G052778A2.html

If this lube is still commonly available, it's definitely what I'd recommend for any vintage MB's with steel keys. You could try it on KeylessGO but it might just make the fob slippery.

 

[atg]

Houdini Lock Lube https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C5JFKKE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_2ySnBbREV8HGW

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[speedy300dturbo]

I've been using this stuff on my fleet of 124s. So far so good, and it's a clear graphite-free formula similar to the Mercedes product:

"Some lock lubricants, like graphite formulas, leave a dirty, hard-to-clean mess on locks, doors and equipment, but 3-in-One Lock Dry Lube’s clear formula dries quickly so that it doesn't attract dirt, which can clog up lock mechanisms. The quick-drying lubricant is safe for use on metal, wood and most plastic surfaces."

You can get it at the Home Deathspot for $4 a can: https://www.homedepot.com/p/3-IN-ONE-2-5-oz-Lock-Dry-Lubricant-Oil-120074/205864344

 

[BenzMercD]

Re: OEM Key set for 94 E500

They most definitely 100% can still get the tumbler lubricant. It came from Germany, three weeks after I ordered it.

 

[LWB250]

002-989-06-51-09 is still available, but not much in the US. As in "Yes, there are still a few around".

Dan

 

[gerryvz]

I put two bottles of 002 989 06 51 09 onto my most recent parts order. This is the lock lubricant.

The RevParts systems says that the weight is 70 lbs for each can, but the internal system says 0.2 lbs.

So, the RevParts system wanted to charge me over $300 for shipping (140 lbs), until I flagged it to MB of Annapolis, and they cleared it and confirmed that it is only 0.2 lbs.

So, if ordering this lube via RevParts, beware of some massively high shipping costs due to a mis-code in the weight for the item.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gerryvz]

I put two bottles of 002 989 06 51 09 onto my most recent parts order. This is the lock lubricant.

The RevParts systems says that the weight is 70 lbs for each can, but the internal system says 0.2 lbs.

So, the RevParts system wanted to charge me over $300 for shipping (140 lbs), until I flagged it to MB of Annapolis, and they cleared it and confirmed that it is only 0.2 lbs.

So, if ordering this lube via RevParts, beware of some massively high shipping costs due to a mis-code in the weight for the item.

Cheers,
Gerry

The Mercedes lock cylinder grease spray just came in on my latest parts order. I ordered two cans of it.



You hoarders should order up some for your chemical shelves.....

 

[JC220]

The Mercedes lock cylinder grease spray just came in on my latest parts order. I ordered two cans of it.

View attachment 142372

You hoarders should order up some for your chemical shelves.....

That is some great lock smoo right there Gerry What was the cost per can that side of the pond?

But can you really put a price on having another specific MB lubricant in your garage(?)

 

[LWB250]

That is some great lock smoo right there Gerry What was the cost per can that side of the pond?

But can you really put a price on having another specific MB lubricant in your garage(?)

It's about $USD 12 my cost at the dealer. Not bad, really, for what it is. Nice can and spray setup, too.

Dan

 

[nocfn]

I didnt look but the VW monikker lube is a sufficient (read same manufacturer) for the locks IIRC.

 

[gsxr]

I think the new gray-can stuff is coming out of the same factory, one labeled MB (post #33), the other VW (p/n G052778A2, post #25).