Among the setbacks of everyday life, there is an unfortunate setback that we would do well: finding yourself stuck outside with the car key stuck in the lock cylinder. It’s a very destabilizing situation, especially when you can no longer open the door and you have an important appointment. How to react ? Already, no need to panic, this type of problem can be solved easily. Thanks to our little tricks, you will be able to recover your key in a few minutes. Follow the leader !
Why does the key break in the lock?
Car key inserted – Source: spm
This type of incident is not uncommon. It can indeed happen that the key breaks inside if it has not been handled correctly, if it is rusty or too worn. Here are the two main reasons why your keys can break in the locks:
- Be aware that keys that have several deep cuts have weak points: these parts are fragile and can accidentally break in the cylinder-shaped barrel.
- You should also know that the material of the key generally determines its longevity. It all depends on whether it is light or strong. For example, aluminum sidewalls will not last long enough. If you use your keys frequently, it is better to invest in a durable material.
The problem is that it often happens out of the blue. But tell yourself that this unfortunate situation is more common than it seems. Yes, overnight you can end up with the key broken in the cylinder of the car or in the door. If you’re in a hurry, a simple sudden movement could trap it inside. Not to mention the many falls it suffers: if it falls often, you may not notice it, but it has probably suffered a few shocks that have damaged it. But, rest assured, faced with this possible inconvenience, there are effective techniques to try to extract your key from the lock. And this, with the help of a few tools that it would be good to always have at hand.
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Take out a broken key using a pair of pliers
Removing a fragment of a broken key stuck in the lock in the middle position can be a daunting task! However, one solution is to use needle-nose pliers, as these can allow the cylinder to be easily turned into the locked or unlocked position. Also, if the end of the broken key can be grabbed with pliers and aligned, it can be pulled out of the lock without causing damage.
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Remove the key from the barrel by applying oil
WD-40 oil – Source: spm
Don’t have pliers handy? So you probably have WD-40 around. Any good driver has it! The idea with this method is to remove the key from the door with an oily substance. By spraying this liquid inside the keyhole, you can lubricate the entire area and thus make your job easier. Note that professionals generally use a dry lubricant to avoid dirtying the lock. But, if you’re in a hurry, an oily lubricant will do just fine. After spraying the lubricant into the hole, be sure to wipe away any excess grease around the lock before you get to work.
Noticed : if you plan to use glue or any other sticky putty, then there will be no need to apply WD-40 lubricant to the lock.
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Remove the key from the lock with two pins
Our last trick is to use two safety pins. Open them and insert the two tips on both sides of the key. At this stage, you must try to lift it from the inside. The secret is to rest the tips of the two pins on the edges of the key grooves. Then, lift it gently to be able to extract it without difficulty. Normally, after a few minutes, the cylinder will be released.
If, despite all these efforts, you still cannot get this key out, your last resort is to seek help from a locksmith.
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