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Crenshaw Lock

Broken Key Extraction in Manhattan Beach · 24/7 mobile

Broken Key Extraction in Manhattan Beach, CA

Crenshaw Lock Company provides broken key extraction in Manhattan Beach, California, 24/7. Our fully mobile locksmiths come to your door, car, gate, or garage, remove the snapped piece, and cut a working replacement. Call (323) 997-8867 any hour, and we will talk through your situation.

  • Mobile to your Manhattan Beach location
  • Available 24/7
  • Price quoted before we start
Call (323) 997-8867or tap to call — we answer 24/7
Broken key stuck in a lock cylinder next to an extractor tool
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A key that snaps off in a lock is one of those small disasters that always seems to happen at the worst moment: standing at the front door after an evening on The Strand, loading the car for a trip down Sepulveda Blvd, or trying to get into a garage on a rushed morning. The good news is that a broken key is usually very fixable, and in most cases the lock itself can be saved.

Crenshaw Lock Company has served Greater Los Angeles and Ventura County since 1987, led by owner and lead technician David Shar. We are fully mobile, so there is no storefront to visit. We come to you, whether that is a walk-street cottage in the Sand Section, a custom estate in the Hill Section, or a condo in East Manhattan Beach.

Broken key work is a matter of patience and the right tools. Pulling too hard, using pliers, or squirting glue-like products into the keyway can turn a simple extraction into a lock replacement. If a key has snapped, the best first step is to stop, leave the lock alone, and call us at (323) 997-8867.

How it works in Manhattan Beach

  1. 1

    You call, we talk it through

    Call (323) 997-8867 and tell us what broke and where: a front door, a gate, a garage entry, a car door, or an ignition. We ask whether part of the key is still sticking out, what type of lock it is, and whether the lock was stiff beforehand. That helps us bring the right tools.

  2. 2

    We come to your location

    We are 24/7 and fully mobile, so we travel to your home, vehicle, or property in Manhattan Beach. You do not need to bring the lock anywhere. If you are locked out as well as holding a broken key, we handle both problems in the same visit.

  3. 3

    Inspect the lock and the broken piece

    Before touching anything, we look at how the key broke. A piece sitting flush in the keyway needs a different approach than one protruding a few millimeters. We also check whether the lock is worn, corroded, or damaged, which is common on coastal hardware exposed to salt air.

  4. 4

    Extract the fragment carefully

    Using specialized extractors and fine tools, we remove the broken piece without forcing the cylinder. The goal is to keep the lock undamaged so it keeps working. On a vehicle ignition, we take extra care because the mechanism is delicate.

  5. 5

    Cut a replacement key

    Once the piece is out, we cut a new working key. If we have the broken halves, we can often use them as a reference. If not, we can key from the lock itself. We then test the new key several times to confirm it turns smoothly.

  6. 6

    Check the lock and advise honestly

    If the lock is worn or corroded, we tell you plainly and explain whether servicing or replacing it makes sense. If it is fine, we leave it be. We can also cut spares so one worn key does not leave you stuck again.

Need broken key extraction in Manhattan Beach?

24/7 Mobile Locksmith across Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County. We answer 24/7.

Call (323) 997-8867

What affects the price

  • The type of lock involved: a standard residential deadbolt is a different job from a high-security cylinder, a multipoint European-style door system, or a vehicle ignition.
  • How the key broke: a fragment sticking out of the keyway is simpler to remove than one that is deep inside the cylinder.
  • Condition of the lock, including salt, sand, and corrosion buildup on coastal hardware, which can make extraction slower and sometimes calls for replacing the cylinder.
  • Whether you need a replacement key cut, how many copies you want, and whether the key is a basic type or a more complex, restricted, or transponder key.
  • Time of day and the complexity of access to the property, since we work around the clock and some locations are harder to reach than others.
  • Whether the visit also involves other work, such as a lockout, rekeying, or replacing a damaged lock.

Why Manhattan Beach chooses us

  • Fully mobile and available 24/7, so a snapped key at night or on a weekend does not have to wait for business hours.
  • Operating since 1987 under owner and lead tech David Shar, which means decades of hands-on experience with stubborn, worn, and unusual locks.
  • We aim to save your existing lock whenever possible rather than defaulting to replacement.
  • We are comfortable with both traditional hardware and the newer systems common in luxury construction, including multipoint door hardware and smart-lock setups.
  • We explain what we find and what your options are, and we recommend replacement only when the lock actually needs it.
  • Extraction and key cutting happen in one visit, so you are not left with a lock cleared but no working key.

Broken Key Extraction across Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach is a small city with very different kinds of housing, and broken keys show up in all of them. In the Sand Section, walk-street cottages and newer three-story contemporary homes sit on tight lots, often a short stroll from the Manhattan Beach Pier and Roundhouse Aquarium. Salt air and blowing sand are hard on exterior locks, and a worn key in a gritty, stiff cylinder is a classic recipe for a snap. Walk-street gates and garage entries get a lot of use, which adds to the wear.

Up in the Hill Section, large custom estates often combine mechanical locks with keypads and smart-lock systems, while the Tree Section is in the middle of a transition from mid-century ranch homes to new builds, so we see older deadbolts that have seized alongside brand-new hardware. East Manhattan Beach, with its townhomes and condos near Manhattan Village and Aviation Blvd, tends to mean shared entries, garages, and mailbox or utility locks that also take a beating over time.

We work throughout ZIP code 90266, from the streets near Metlox Plaza and Polliwog Park to the areas along Marine Ave, Manhattan Beach Blvd, Rosecrans Ave, and Sepulveda Blvd. Because we are mobile only, there is no shop to visit: call (323) 997-8867 and we come to your door, driveway, or parking spot, any hour of the day or night.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

24/7 Mobile Locksmith across Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County. We answer 24/7.

Call (323) 997-8867

Other Manhattan Beach locksmith services

See all of our Manhattan Beach services, or our citywide broken key extraction page.

Broken Key Extraction in Manhattan Beach — FAQs

Can you really get a broken key out without damaging the lock?
In most cases, yes. With the right extractors and a careful approach, the fragment can be removed and the lock keeps working. If the lock is badly worn or corroded, we will tell you honestly. Call (323) 997-8867 to describe what happened.
Should I try to pull the broken key out myself?
We recommend against it. Pliers, tweezers, and household tricks can push the piece deeper or damage the pins. Superglue is especially risky. Leave it alone and call us instead.
Do you work on car ignitions as well as house locks?
Yes. We handle broken keys in doors, gates, garages, and vehicles. Ignitions are delicate, so we work slowly. Call (323) 997-8867 and tell us the make and model of the vehicle.
Will I get a new key after the broken one is removed?
Yes. Extraction and a replacement cut are part of the service. We test the new key in the lock before we finish, and we can cut spares if you would like them.
Why do keys seem to break so often on beachfront homes?
Salt air, moisture, and fine sand build up inside cylinders and make them stiff over time. A worn key forced into a stiff lock is more likely to snap. If your hardware is sticking, having it serviced can prevent a repeat.
Do you offer service at night and on weekends?
Yes. We are available 24/7 and fully mobile. Call (323) 997-8867 at any hour and we will arrange to come to your Manhattan Beach location.
Can you handle broken keys in high-end or multipoint door systems?
We work on a range of hardware, including multipoint European-style systems common on newer luxury homes. These are more involved than a standard deadbolt, so please tell us what type of door you have when you call.
Do I need to come to a shop?
No. Crenshaw Lock Company is mobile only and has no storefront. We come to your home, car, gate, or garage anywhere in Manhattan Beach.
DS

Reviewed by David Shar — Owner & Lead Technician

Crenshaw Lock Company has served Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-12.

Call (323) 997-8867 · Open 24/7