It could have been worse, the key broke off in the lock cylinder as I was about to leave my primary job. It has been years since I've removed a lock cylinder, any suggestions? I have a spare column in my garage that I'm going to look at. I have ordered a new lock cylinder at my part-time job.
Thanks for any help!

_________________
"Ja, Ich fahre ein altes auto."
'78 Volare 225
'67 Charger 318

Wes any chance you could use a scribe or pick to get the broken key out??

Richard

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Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

I once got a broken key out of an ignition cylinder using a skinny flathead screwdriver and a powerful magnet. Touch the screwdriver to the key and then the magnet to the screwdriver. Keeping the magnet in contact with the screwdriver, pull the key out. Worth a shot.

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

But if like my key it is brass magnet will not work.

Richard

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Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

Reed:
Was the ignition switch located between the front seats, or in a VW? Those are about the only cars I recall using factory steel key blanks…


There are tools made to extract broken keys from locks. Problem with Chrysler ignition locks is there is a sliding flat metal thing that runs up & down as if it were one of the tumblers located before the first tumbler as the key enters the lock. That flat thing works to trap broken off and wrong key blanks stuck into the lock’s keyway. One has to lift that flat up with a lock pick, and at the same time capture the broken chunk of key with perhaps a straighten fish hook, work each tumbler as it slides to daylight, and yard the thing out.

Depending on where the key broke off near its tip with a #1 cut, this being the most difficult extraction, or at the shoulder closest to where one holds key with no #1 & #5 cuts adjacent, being the easiest case, will determine how things go. The job can be done in a few seconds to half an hour or more if one has the right tools at hand, and the stars & moon are aligned properly...

One option, providing the correct key is broken in the lock, is to leave it be, remove its severed mate from key ring, gently stick broken head in keyway, and see if it will turn. If it turns, start car up and head for a locksmith. He will be able to fish the stub out rather quickly saving you the hassle of disassembly, locating parts to change to a nonmatching cylinder, and make a nice new properly cut duplicate key.

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

Thanks for the replies fellas.
I tried to see if I could fish it out, but no dice. The part that broke off is a little over a 1/4 inch long. I tried inserting the rest of the key in to see if it would start, but to no avail. So, I'm about to go pick up the new lock cylinder that I ordered last night.
Oh yeah, a magnet won't stick to this key either.
At least the sun is shining.
I'll let ya'll know how it goes.
Thanks again for the replies!

_________________
"Ja, Ich fahre ein altes auto."
'78 Volare 225
'67 Charger 318

It was a 93 Ford Econoline van I was working on for a friend of mine. :shrug:

_________________
Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

Okay, steering wheel, etc., off. It looks to be a snap ring hlding on the collar, but I still don't see the hole to get the lock cylinder out.
???

_________________
"Ja, Ich fahre ein altes auto."
'78 Volare 225
'67 Charger 318

There is a U shaped puller for removing that snap ring, check at your near by parts store.

Richard

_________________
Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

Okay, I disassembled the spare column I have and now that I have removed the plate covering it, I see it. Now I'm off to get some snap ring pliers.
Onward!

_________________
"Ja, Ich fahre ein altes auto."
'78 Volare 225
'67 Charger 318

Okay, the snap ring was a hurdle, but I got it off. The old cylinder is out, and the new one is in. Thanks to all of you for your advice and support! Now to put it all back together.

Okay, I have a confession to make: Never put off what you know you should not. A few days ago, I noticed a small crack in the key. I was thinking "I'll just be careful, I have a spare set somewhere". Never did find the spare set, was going to get a copy made, and then, uh-oh...

Sometimes I feel like I have to learn everything the hard way. You wouldn't think so at my age.

_________________
"Ja, Ich fahre ein altes auto."
'78 Volare 225
'67 Charger 318

Think nothing of it Wes, when I had my lock shop that was considered good for business, along with keys lost, locked in a car, and stuff like that. LOL

I once rekeyed the same car three times in the same day a divorcing couple was fighting over…

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

Three times in the same day?!? Wow...

Okay, I worked my Saturdau shift at my part-time gig, went back to the Volare, put it back together, and I'm back on the road again. Woohoo!


Now I can go to work tomorrow, yay...

_________________
"Ja, Ich fahre ein altes auto."
'78 Volare 225
'67 Charger 318

Wes, if you'd spent much time a ways to your east, in the Big Thicket, you'd have heard someone say that there are three methods of learning.

1. Some folks learn by readin' and studyin'.

2. other folks learn by watchin'.

3. And some of us just have to pee on the 'lectric fence for ourselves.

This gettin' old ain't for sissies!

ATB

BC

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'64 Dart GT convertible, 64 Dart 170 2-door post sedan in faded blue and rust (the Az Dart) & a sixty THREE Dart 170 2-door post sedan in faded blue and rust. (future project)
Early Dart Disorder (EDD) is real, and I've got it!

"Gettin old ain't for sissies", I've heard my Dad say that.
I aspire to learn, and sometimes I succeed, by methods 1 and 2.
Number 3, figuratively not literally, still teaches me sometimes.

Take it easy!
Wes

_________________
"Ja, Ich fahre ein altes auto."
'78 Volare 225
'67 Charger 318