How to Do a Broken Car Key Repair

You're on your way to work in a hurry, and jam your keys in the ignition. You try to turn it around, and it breaks inside the lock!

There are some things you can do to fix the problem before contacting an expert locksmith. Here are a few quick solutions. Super Glue.

1. Call a Locksmith

A damaged key in the lock is one of the worst things a car owner can experience. This can be even more painful if it occurs when the driver is hurrying to get somewhere or to drop off a child. In such a situation it is essential to act quickly and try to free the stuck key.

It is best to call an experienced locksmith for this task for this job, as they will have the appropriate tools to remove the broken key without harm the lock. Many people look around in their vehicle to find something light and sturdy like a paperclip, or toothpick, but these isn't likely to work as it is too thick to enter the lock.

A much better solution is to find a pair of tweezers, as these are quite thin and can easily reach the key hole in the lock. They should be able to grab the broken part of a key and pull it out. If you don't have tweezers, it might be worth trying to locate keys extractors, which are usually sold in auto parts stores. They are thin, flat and Keys repair have small hooks. They can be put in the keyhole and grasp the broken piece of the key.

Another possible solution is to locate an magnetic key hook that is able to stick to the metal inside the lock and then pull it out. This is not always the best option since it could be caught under the lock and cause damage. In this case it is recommended to contact an experienced locksmith.

Some people attempt to join the two pieces of a damaged car key with superglue in order to get it out of the lock. However, this could be extremely risky since the pieces of metal could snag on to each other and then fall apart later. It is important to not turn the key, as this could cause further damage to your lock or the ignition cylinder. It is better to call a professional locksmith who will be able to take out the damaged key and then make an immediate replacement.

2. Drill a hole

Sometimes a key is broken inside the lock, and even with a spare, you might not be in a position to gain access to your vehicle. In these cases, drilling out the lock is the most effective option.

First, you must ensure that the keyhole is set up to accept a basic tumbler key. If it's not then you won't be able to remove the pins and damage the lock's door or mechanism.

It is important to keep in mind that you'll be drilling through an outer plastic layer as well as an inner layer of metal. You can drill through these layers with the smallest drill bit but you should not go any deeper. If you drill too deeply it could harm the wiring harness inside or cause the drill bit to get stuck inside the hole.

It is also recommended to wear a mask and Keys Repair protective equipment when working using a drill. This will stop dust and dirt from entering your respiratory system.

It is also a good idea if the broken key piece is still sticking out of the lock, to keep a pair pliers and tweezers in your bag. If there is enough of the key protruding to be able to grasp with tweezers or pliers, this could suffice to pull it out of the lock. If not, you'll have to use a tool such as this to wedge it in the lock, and then turn it toward the key to grab it and remove it.

3. Drill a Nail

You may be left in limbo in the event that you break your key in half. There are fortunately some solutions to fix it without paying for a locksmith. The first step is use a screw or nail. They can be found in your home or at a local hardware store. However, it is best to try to find the nail that is as thin and as long as you can. This means you can put it into the hole, and then use epoxy glue to join the two pieces. It is also good to make sure the nail's back is flat. This will allow it to fit into the slot cut in the key. This will prevent it from moving and possibly breaking again in the future.

4. Super Glue

Many auto owners opt for DIY hacks, like using super glue to repair a damaged key. This is a risky practice. You could end up damaging the lock and have to spend more money on replacing it from the dealer or a locksmith.

The first step is to examine the keys repair that are broken and make sure that they are identical in terms of size. This is vital to ensure that the pieces will be aligned properly and the key will fit into the lock after they are bonded together. After that, you can use a piece of sandpaper with fine-grit or a metal file to smooth the edges on the broken pieces of the key. This will improve the bond of glue and decrease the chance of a loose key.

After polishing the edges, apply the smallest amount (about the size of a pea) of super glue to the other side. Be cautious not to apply too much, because this could cause the key to become too thick and will have difficulty fitting into the lock. After lining up the two pieces of the broken key and pressing them together, you can press them. After a few seconds, the glue will start to set and bond the key fragments together.

Another common household item that can be used to help remove a damaged car key is a bobby pin that can be made into a pick-like tool and placed inside the lock. This method is particularly useful when the damage is close to or inside the keyway or ignition lock hole.

Another thing to remember is that if the damaged car key has electronic car key repair near me components that require an entirely new key by the dealership or a professional locksmith. This is because the key needs to be programmed with a new code and the chip needs to be replaced. If the shell or metal part of the key is damaged, you will need to have a new cut. You won't need to reprogramme or replace electronics.