How to Do a Broken Car Key Repair
You're heading to work, in rush, and put your car keys into the ignition. You try to turn the key but it is unable to get into the lock.
There are a few things you could do to fix the problem before contacting a professional locksmith. Here are some quick solutions: 1. Super Glue.
1. Call a Locksmith
One of the worst things that could happen to the owner of a car is a broken key in the lock. This is especially frustrating if the driver is in a rush to get somewhere, or pick up a kid. In this scenario, you should act quickly to attempt to free the stuck key.
Calling an experienced locksmith is the best option as they'll have the right tools and know how to get rid of the broken keys without damaging the lock. A lot of people look around their car for something thin and rigid like a paperclip, or toothpick, but these typically won't work since it is too thick to enter the lock.
The best solution is to search for a pair of tweezers as these are quite thin and can easily reach the key hole inside the lock. They should be able to grasp the broken piece of a key and pull it out. If you don't have tweezers, then you might consider looking for keys extractors which are typically found in auto parts stores. They are thin and flat with hooks that are small enough to be inserted into the key hole and then grip onto the broken bit of the key.
A magnetic key hook can be used to adhere to the metal inside the lock, and then pull it out. Related Homepag is not always the best choice as it could be caught under a lock and cause more damage. In this case it is recommended to contact an experienced locksmith.
Some people try to glue together the two pieces of a broken car key using superglue order to get it out of the lock. This is a risk since the metal pieces may tangle and break later. It is also essential not to turn the key, since this could cause further damage to the lock or the ignition cylinder. Get a locksmith professional to replace the broken key on the spot.
2. Drill a hole
Sometimes, a key gets damaged inside the lock, and even with an extra key, you may not be able to gain access to your vehicle. In these cases, drilling out the lock is the best choice.
First, you need to ensure that the key hole is set up to take a basic tumbler car key. If it's not then you won't have the ability to remove the pins and cause damage to the lock's door or mechanism.
It is crucial to remember that you will drill through an outer layer of plastic as well as an inner layer of metal. You can drill through these layers using a tiny drill bits, however, you should not go deeper. Drilling too deep can damage the internal wiring harness, or cause the drill to stick.
Wearing a mask or protective equipment is recommended when working with drilling. This will stop dust and dirt from getting into your lungs.
It's also a good idea in the event that the key fragment is broken and is sticking out of the lock, to have two pairs of pliers and tweezers handy. If there is enough of the key protruding to be able to grasp with tweezers or pliers, this should be sufficient to get it out of the lock. If there isn't, however, you will require a tool such as this one to wedge the tool in the lock, and then turn it toward the key in order to grip it and pull it out of the hole.
3. Drill a nail
You could be left without a home in the event that you break your key in half. Luckily, there are several solutions to fix it, without having to pay for a locksmith. The first thing you can do is use the screw or nail. They can be found in your home or at a hardware store. It is recommended to pick nails that are as thin and as long as you can. This way, you can place it into the hole and then use epoxy to connect the two pieces. Make sure that the back of the nails is flat. This will allow it to fit in the cut slot of the key. This will keep it from moving and potentially breaking again in future.
4. Super Glue
A lot of car owners tend to use DIY hacks such as using super glue to try and fix a broken car key, however this is a risky option to make. You could end up ruining the lock and needing to shell out more money for replacing it from the dealer or locksmith.
The first step is to take a look at the broken keys and make sure that they are in terms of size. This step is essential to ensure that all pieces of the glue are aligned properly and that the key fits into the lock after they have been put in place. Then, use a piece of fine-grit sandpaper or a metal file to smooth out the edges on the broken pieces of the key. This will strengthen the bond of glue and decrease the chance of a key that is loose.
After polishing the edges After polishing the edges, apply only a small amount (about an amount of pea-sized) of super glue to one end. Be careful not to use too much glue, as this could cause the key to become too heavy and may be difficult to fit into the lock. After that, carefully place the two broken pieces of the key and press them together. After a short time the glue will begin to set and join the key fragments.
Another common household item that can be used to remove a damaged 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 useful when the damage is located in or near the keyway or ignition hole.
Another important point to keep in mind is that if the damaged car key has electronic components, it will require the cutting of a new key from the dealership or an experienced locksmith. The key will have to be reprogrammed using a different code and the chip inside the key will need to be changed. However, if the metal or shell of the key breaks it typically requires a new key cut and doesn't require replacement or reprogramming of the electronic components.