How To Remove Key That Is Broken In Door Lock?

[clovis]

I bought a Chevy S-10 several years ago, and the previous owner broke a key off in the outside door lock.

Years ago, I did the same thing on a Chevy Celebrity, but was able to remove it using needle nose pliers.

On the S-10, the key is broken off where I can't get a grip with needle nose pliers.

I am getting tired of having to use the passenger door, and crawling thru the cab to unlock the drivers door. It's not too bad when DD8 is with me, she is more agile than I am!!!

I don't have to lock the truck but about once a week, but it gets old very quickly!

Thanks in advance!!!!

Clove

[Manny]

Try a very small dab of "Super Glue" on the tip of a very slim probe and touch the broken end of the key and NOTHING else. Pull slowly and straight out.

[michiganfarmer]

I think that you could use the lock just as it is. the key is already in it. Just use something flat like a screw driver, or another key to turn the lock.

I have taken those apart before but it has been 10 years. I had to take the inside panel off the door, and take the lock out of the door. There is a flat forked clip that holds the lock in place.

[watcher]

I'd doubt the super glue trick will work on a key. For one thing you stand a VERY good chance of gluing the broken piece in the lock.

You might be able to get a coping or scroll saw blade and carefully slide it in, with the teeth facing back toward you. First just try pulling straight out. If that doesn't work twist or pry the blade so the teeth are forced into the key. Try this on each side then on top and bottom. If necessary you can grind the saw blade thinner (side to side) and/or narrower (top to bottom) to get it in.

If that doesn't work you MIGHT be able to get a pair of long nose forceps and grind/file (slowly so they don't get hot) the points until they are thin enough to slip into the key hole and grab the key. I'd doubt this would work because there just isn't much room in the hole but if it isn't broken off too deep. . .

[Wis Bang]

Try two small screw drivers -or- two 'pics' little sharp icepick type points, one on each side.

S-10 doors arn't that bad to take apart [replaced both exterior handles on mine] if you buy the KD tool to pop the nylon plugs that hold the inner pannel fast. The other end has the shape you need to get the window crank blind clip off...there are screws thru the armrest and the top of the inside needs to be pushed up out fo the window glass channel.

Be very careful w/ the tiny clip that holds the rod that operates the lock fast to the key lock, it is VERY easy to drop it [BTDT] into the interior of the door. The other end just inserts into the lock/latch mechanism and pulls up so leave it hooked onto the key latch assembly.

[blufford]

Clovis, the post made me think about the street kids in NYC who were orally sucking nickles out of the subway turnstiles coin slots. Don't know if you would consider putting your pucker to work or not. LOLS

[DaleK]

You might get lucky and get it with a strong magnet, or a good strong shop vac. If you had a long garden hose and a friend with a vaccuum pump in the milk house, you could hook the hose up and get lots of suction that way as long as you had a screen to catch the key.

If it's broken off in the right place, michiganfarmers right, you should be able to use it.

[clovis]

Thank you guys!!!!

Do you think I should spray some WD-40 in there to make it easier to remove, or just forget that idea. The key has been in there for years.

Blufford, I am probably not going to pucker up for this fix, LOL.

Any other ideas?

Clove

[||Downhome||]

no never use anything like that on a lock. (three in one oil or machinist oil maybe ,its been a while since I worked at the door company so maybe some one can verify) if it where me Id pull the lock cylinder and remove it that way.
just be sure to put the pins back in the right way (or as in my case I never had the door key so I just left them out and got a blank gm key) no one ever new any old key would work to open it.

[Curtis B]

Use graphite to lube, you can find the powdered type in most hardware stores. BTW keys are brass, magnets won't work.

[michiganfarmer]

Originally Posted by Curtis B

Use graphite to lube, you can find the powdered type in most hardware stores. BTW keys are brass, magnets won't work.

OH YEAH! lol. I thought the magnet idea was a good one too. LOL

[clovis]

I went out and inspected the lock again, and the key is in there deep!

It is like the bottom 1/3 or even the bottom 1/4 of the key is broken off and down in the lock as far as it will go.

Most of the keys that I have seen are broken off flush with the face of the cylinder.

Question: I hate to sound dumb, but if I remove the lock cylinder from the inside by removing the door panel, how do I get the key out then? This is assuming I had the lock cylinder on my workbench, and it still had the key in it?

Thank you!!!!!

[Beeman]

Spray the WD 40. Then take a hacksaw blade and grind it down. Make it come to a point with the teeth facing you and use it to try and grab and pull the key out. 2 of these might make it easier. Be sure the key is in the straight up and down position or it won't come out.
Pulling the panel and removing the lock cylinder shouldn't be too hard if it comes to that.
A magnet won't work, keys are brass.

I would also lube the other lock cyl with some Lockease graphite since it's the only one you have left.

[watcher]

Take the door off the truck, turn it upside down and shake it 'til the key falls out.

Sorry I'm short on sleep and in one of those moods this morning. I'll try to behave

[mistletoad]

A replacement cylinder should only run about $20.

[michiganfarmer]

Originally Posted by clovis

I went out and inspected the lock again, and the key is in there deep!

It is like the bottom 1/3 or even the bottom 1/4 of the key is broken off and down in the lock as far as it will go.

Most of the keys that I have seen are broken off flush with the face of the cylinder.

Question: I hate to sound dumb, but if I remove the lock cylinder from the inside by removing the door panel, how do I get the key out then? This is assuming I had the lock cylinder on my workbench, and it still had the key in it?

Thank you!!!!!

the one that I did had a hole in the back end. I just pushed the broken key out with a paper clip

[Wis Bang]

Stop by your local locksmith. Curbside work is usually cheaper than having them come out to your place. He should be able to get it out quickly...

If you pull the cylinder banging it on a counter might dislodge the chunk if it isn't twisted enough to resist.

[PoorLiLRichGirl]

If you're an AAA member you might get the locksmith to yank it out for free. They can use one of those little picks like bad guys use to fishhook it out of there like nobody's business. Takes about 34 seconds and 30 of those are him walking to your truck, LOL!

-PLRG

[ninny]

Take the lock out of the passenger door and switch it for the lock in the drivers door.

.

[seagullplayer]

I am all for do it yourself, but this time your cheapest out might be to visit a lock smith. He can do in seconds what will take you weeks. I would do this before I consider taking the door apart, but that is just me...