Calling a handyman to dismantle a broken key can cost you deep pockets. If a key breaks in a car or house door lock, try removing it yourself before calling a professional. Usually, you can remove a broken key in just a few minutes. You'll be surprised how easy it is to do this.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Hooking the Key with a Pry Tool
Step 1. Spray the keyhole with lubricant
Attach the spray straw to the mouth of the bottle. Insert the end of the straw into the keyhole.
- Choose a silicone spray. Silicone grease will help the lock slide out easily. Because it is waterproof, it will also help protect the keyhole from rust.
- You can also try using graphite powder. Graphite powder can help smooth without sticking the keyhole.
Step 2. Align the cylinder
The cylinder must be in the locked or unlocked position for the key piece to be removed from the door. If the key is pulled when the cylinder is not aligned, the result will be a jam.
Use tweezers to reach inside the cylinder. Turn the cylinder until the door locks or opens
Step 3. Plug in the remaining pieces of the broken key as a guide
Insert the key piece until it joins the fracture in the hole. See where the largest indentation is in the key. This is the best place to slip the prying tool.
Step 4. Select a prying tool
Key prying tools are generally sold in sets with various types of hooks and spiral scribes. You can buy it online or at a hardware store. Key hooks are shaped like miniature spears with long, thin rods that have various hook shapes at the ends. The spiral scribe is a thin metal rod that can be bent with a long small hook. While both of these tools can be used for different types of locks, you'll likely need to try one at a time to find the one that fits the key best and can hook the pieces together.
Start with a small hook. The small hook on the prying tool can usually pull most types and shapes of locks
Step 5. Slide the pry tool into the door opening
The latch should be facing up so that it can attach the cleats easily. Insert the tool so that it slips along the gap next to the lock.
Step 6. Turn the pry tool and drag
Once the scribe is stuck in the cleats, turn it slightly toward the lock. After that, pull the tool while the end of the handle is pressed away from the lock. This will press the latch into the lock and help pull it out of the door opening. Keep trying until the latch catches into one of the serrations and you can pull out the broken lock.
- The same method applies to the use of a spiral pry tool. However, instead of turning it slightly, twist the handle a few times before pulling the tool straight to remove the key piece.
- You could try using an additional scribe on the other side of the lock at the same time. Pull the lock in the same way and pull out both tools with slight pressure towards the center to help clamp the lock between them.
- If the key piece comes out partly, use pliers to pinch the exposed part and pull it all out. Be careful not to accidentally push it back into the hole.
Method 2 of 2: Making a Pry with the Saw Blade
Step 1. Break off the edge of the plywood saw blade
Triplex saws are made of metal that is thin and brittle, and will break easily when bent. Breaking one end will make it easier for the saw to fit into the keyhole.
- Check the cleat angle. Break off the edge of the blade with the slanted serration.
- If you don't have a plywood saw, try something else you have at home. Look for anything that is long, thin, strong, and cylindrical. For example, you can try using metal barbecue skewers or even bicycle spokes, if you have one. Usually, these tools have very little chance of success, especially if the key is buried deep in the hole.
Step 2. Secure the other end of the blade with duct tape
Wrap a few inches of the unbroken end with several layers of duct tape. If the saw's teeth are still sticking out of the duct tape, just add another coat or two.
Step 3. Lubricate the keyhole with lubricating spray
Use a spray bottle and straw, then coat the cylinder with a layer of silicone grease spray. Wipe off any residual grease that drips out of the cylinder bore.
Step 4. Insert the saw blade into the cylinder, right next to the wrench
Slide the broken saw end into the cylinder with the serrations facing up. Shake the end of the handle until the blade comes in next to the lock.
If you are removing a car key with the serrations on either side of the key, the saw can be inserted either facing up or down. If you can't fix the saw on one side of the lock, turn the saw over and try the other side of the lock
Step 5. Turn the duct tape-covered saw handle, then pull
Turn the saw about a quarter turn toward the lock, then pull it slightly sideways from the lock. Repeat this process several times until the saw is caught in the cleats.
If the key comes out partly, just pinch the ends with a pair of pliers and pull it all off
Tips
- Do not use graphite for dirty old keys. Graphite should only be used on new metal parts.
- Don't use super glue to try to get the key out by gluing the broken part in the hole. If glue gets on the pegs, the entire lock system will be damaged.
