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Broken key

Posted: December 8th, 2005, 11:40 pm
by eman
Hope I am in the right forum.
Is it possible to remove an imbedded (broken- off) key in door lock,
without having to call a locksmith or mechanic?
A pair of tweezers perhaps? I am asking before I attempt this,
in case some has had prior experience with this. I'd hate to scratch up the paint.

Posted: December 8th, 2005, 11:45 pm
by mitmaks
best bet to use spare one or get one from dealer and open other door. then you take door panel off and see if you can push it out

Posted: December 9th, 2005, 1:15 am
by Focal
you could try to drill into the lock with a small bit and try to dril into the bith of key left over. That might work and pull it out.

Posted: December 9th, 2005, 9:32 am
by PATDIESEL
No offence Focal, but do NOT drill into the lock. There is a whole in the back side of the lock. Like Mitmaks said, get in the other door and open the door with the key in the lock. Then take the door panel off and you'll see a hole in the sheet metal directly behind the lock. There is a hole in the back side of the lock that you can put a strong paper clip into and push the old key out.

I have a crappy key design (thanks to Mazda) that has a very thin spot in the teeth right next to the key's round handle. Over time my keys start to bend and eventually break. I've had to pop a broken key out about 4 times.

If you cannot get the key out you can remove a bet metal wire that holds the lock in and the lock bars and take the lock out. Then you'll easily see the broken key and a way to push it out. Caeful when putting the lock back in. The bent metal wire that holds it in can be a bear to get to clip back in properly. If it doesn't sit just right the lock will fall into the door the next time you try and use a key on it. Take a look at hte online shop manual to get a look at the bent wire I'm talking about.

Posted: December 9th, 2005, 12:55 pm
by eman
Thanks you all for info
will remove door panel and push lock out. I just have to get a good repair manual.. unless someone here knows how to remove door panel?

Posted: December 9th, 2005, 4:26 pm
by schuttie2002
before you do that, get yourself a good head lamp, and two small pieces of metal similar to a paper clip. Shine the light in there so u can see what ur working with, then pry away. I was able to pull out a broken key twice with the method.

Posted: December 17th, 2005, 7:23 pm
by kimlin85
i broke my key in the trunk. is there a method of removing it u guys? or should i get a locksmith. i've never taken anything back there so i dont know if i can push it out. thought i'd ask first.

Posted: January 21st, 2006, 8:50 pm
by Juans_93_MX3
Focal wrote:you could try to drill into the lock with a small bit and try to dril into the bith of key left over. That might work and pull it out.
LMAO! :lol: