How to Do a Broken Car Key Repair
You're on your way to work, in a hurry, and jam your car keys into the ignition. Then you try turning it around, and it breaks inside the lock!
There are some things you can do to solve the issue before contacting a professional locksmith. Here are a few quick fixes. Super Glue.
1. Contact for a locksmith
A broken key in the lock is among the worst things a car owner can experience. This can be particularly frustrating when the driver is in a hurry to get somewhere, or to drop off a kid. In this scenario, you should act quickly to try to get the key out of the way.
It is best to call an experienced locksmith for this job, because he or she will be able to use the appropriate tools to remove the broken key without harm the lock. Many people will have a look around the vehicle to find something light and sturdy like a paperclip, or toothpick, however this typically won't work since it's too thick to fit into the lock.
The best option is to look for a pair of tweezers since they are very thin and easily reach the key hole within the lock. They should be able to grab the broken part of a key and then pull it out. If you don't have tweezers, it might be worth searching for keys extractors which are typically available in auto parts stores. These are flat, narrow and have small hooks. They can be inserted through the keyhole to take the broken portion of the key.
Another option is to find the magnetic key hook that will stick to the metal inside the lock and then pull it out. This isn't always a good idea, as it can sometimes get caught under the lock and cause further damage to the lock. In this case, it is best to call locksmith.
Read Significantly more try to join two pieces of a broken car key using superglue order to remove it from the lock. However, this can be very risky as the bits of metal could snag on to one another and break apart again later on. It is important to not turn the key because this could cause further damage to your lock or the ignition cylinder. It is best to contact a professional locksmith who will be on hand to take the broken key and make a replacement on the spot.
2. Drill into a hole
Even having a spare key you may not be able to access your vehicle if a key is broken inside the lock. The lock could be drilled out. be the best option in these situations.
The first step is to ensure that the key hole is set up to accept a standard tumbler car key. If it's not then you won't be able to drill the pins without damaging the door, and possibly damaging the lock mechanism.
The next step is to understand that you will be drilling through the outer layer of plastic and an inner metal layer. A small drill bit is sufficient to cut through these layers, but you must ensure that you don't go any deeper than this. Drilling too deep can cause damage to the wiring harness or cause the drill to become stuck.
Wearing a mask or protective equipment is also recommended when working with drills. This will prevent dust and dirt from entering your lungs.
It is also a good idea, if the broken key piece is sticking out of the lock, to have pliers and tweezers at hand. If there is enough of the key sticking out to be able to grasp with tweezers or pliers, this will suffice to pull it out of the lock. If there isn't, however, you will need to use a tool such as this one to wedge the tool in the lock and then turn it towards the key to grasp it and remove it from the hole.
3. Drill key car repair
If you smash your car key in half, it could leave you stranded. There are a variety of ways to solve the issue without having to hire an locksmith. The first option is to use a nail or screw. These are available at your home or at a hardware store. However, it is best to look for nails that are as thin and as long as you can. This way you can fit it in the hole and then use epoxy to link the two pieces. Make sure that the back of the nails is flat. This will allow it to fit into the slot cut in the key. This will prevent it from moving and potentially breaking again in the future.
4. Super Glue
Many motorists resort to DIY hacks, such as using super glue, to repair a damaged key. This is a risky practice. You could damage the lock, and then have to pay more money to replace it.
The first step is to examine the keys that are broken and make sure they match each other in terms of size. This is vital to ensure that the glued parts will be aligned properly and that the key fits into the lock after they are bonded together. Then, using a piece fine-grit paper or a metal filing, smooth the edges of the damaged pieces. This will make the glue bond stronger and reduce the chances of a key becoming loose in the future.
After you have polished the edges of the broken key and polished them, apply a small amount of super glue to one of the ends. Be careful not to use too much, as this could cause the key to become too thick and it will be difficult to fit into the lock. Then, carefully align the two pieces of the key and press them together. After a short time the glue will begin to set and join together the key fragments.
Another common household item that can be used to help extract a broken car key is a paperclip or bobby pin, which can be shaped into a pick-like device and put into the lock. This technique is particularly helpful when the damage is located in or near the keyway or the ignition hole.
Another important thing to note is that if the damaged car key is equipped with electronic components that require a new key cut by the dealership or a professional locksmith. The key will have to be reprogrammed with a different code and the chip in the key will need to be replaced. If, however, only the metal or shell of the key breaks, it usually just requires the cutting of a new key and doesn't require replacement or reprogramming of electronics.