Key broke off in boot lock! How to remove?

p5x

I got a duplicate key made for our car around 8-10 months ago from a local key cutting shop. I noticed it was a bit thinner than the original but it worked fine so I carried on using it.

The other day, my brother went to open the boot of the car and somehow he managed to break the key in the lock so half of it is still in the boot

I can still open the boot from inside the car but I was wondering has anyone else had this problem before and what's the best way of removing the key from the lock?

I went back to the shop that made the key just to ask them if it was possible that the key was cut too thin or something...but he was obviously having none of it and said "i'm not making you another one 'cos i'll be liable for the lock" then I just walked off after a abusive/stupid "yeah but no but yeah but no" conversation from little britain...bloody idiot

Porker

locksmiths do this all the time, and have the right kit for it - given that you can still drive the car (at least you didnt break a key off in the ignition!) i'd suggest you drove it to a locksmith and I'd bet you a pint they had the broken part out in under a minute.

rrwfotr

Try puting gluetack (the blue stuff) into a ball and try mouding it into the lock and try and get it out that way. Tried this on my car a few years ago and worked. Make sure the glue tack is not very old and is quite sticky!!!

glosman555

Only tried this with a house door lock and it worked; I put a small amout of super glue on the broken edge of the key I had then carefully stuck it on the broken part of the key in the lock that I could see.

Porker

I would be worried about sticking stuff to the key, just in case i damaged the lock permenently, but it is another way of doing it. and i'm a cack handed gluer.

alanrowell

Asuming there is a rough edge to the key I'd bend a fairly thick needle so it's got a small hook at the end & use that to pry the key out.

solly_2

Broken key extractor £3.50.

p5x

interesting, anyone have any experience of using one of these?
£7 including postage though

wazza

cant you remove the lock from the boot and tap it on a table top. if you are confident you can open it up.

had the same problem on a ford sierra saphire. removed the boot lock barrell and you were able to strip the lock and remove any bits left in it.

skiddy2k

try and use really thin tweezers that you can get from local pharmacy or boots. get thinest ones you can and try and put them through the hole and pinch the broken key and take it out. a bit of WD40 would be good aswell, if you spray it into the keyhole before you prise the key out.

Skiddy

frizz_head

I had this happen to me a few years ago, and I ended up calling out a locksmith. He removed it in 2 secs and didn't charge me a thing as he said he was in between jobs! Really lovely bloke.

Then I had the trouble of trying to sort out a spare with Ford, as it was my only key.