Broken Key Extraction in Palmdale · 24/7 mobile
Broken Key Extraction in Palmdale, California
Crenshaw Lock Company provides mobile broken key extraction in Palmdale, California, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If a key has snapped in a door lock, deadbolt, padlock, or ignition, call (323) 997-8867 and we will come to you, remove the piece, and cut a replacement.
- Mobile to your Palmdale location
- Available 24/7
- Price quoted before we start

A key that snaps off in the lock is one of the most frustrating small disasters there is, and in Palmdale it tends to happen at bad moments: a cold desert morning before a commute down CA-14, a late return from a shift near Plant 42, or the last minute before leaving a rental property. The key is cheap. Being locked out, or stuck with a dead ignition, is the real problem.
Crenshaw Lock Company has served Greater Los Angeles and Ventura County since 1987, and David Shar leads the work. We are fully mobile. There is no storefront to drive to, and nothing to tow. We bring the extraction tools and key-cutting equipment to your door, your driveway, or your parking lot, at any hour.
This page explains how extraction works, what changes the price, and what to do in the first few minutes after a key breaks so you do not make it harder to fix. Many broken keys can be pulled cleanly, and in most cases the lock itself can be kept rather than replaced.
How it works in Palmdale
- 1
Stop and don't force it
Do not try to turn the lock with the broken piece, and avoid jamming the other half in to push it. Pliers and glue are the usual ways a simple extraction becomes a damaged lock. Call us at (323) 997-8867 and tell us what kind of lock it is: front door, deadbolt, garage entry, padlock, vehicle door, or ignition.
- 2
Assess the break
On arrival we look at how much of the key is still showing, how deep the broken piece sits, and what type of lock holds it. A key snapped flush behaves differently from one sticking out a few millimeters, and a worn pin tumbler lock differs from a restricted or high-security cylinder.
- 3
Extract the fragment
We use purpose-made extractors and fine tools to catch the cuts of the broken key and draw it out without scoring the pins or the plug. In stubborn cases we may need to partly disassemble the cylinder. The aim is to keep your hardware working.
- 4
Check the lock and cylinder
Once the piece is out, we test the lock for smooth operation. Builder-grade hardware common in 1980s to 2000s tract homes can be worn, and a key that snapped may be a sign the lock was already binding. We tell you honestly whether it is fine or due for service.
- 5
Cut a replacement key
We cut a new key from the broken pieces or by code or impression where appropriate, and test it in the lock. For vehicles, ignition keys and transponder needs are discussed first so you know what the job involves before we proceed.
- 6
Rekey or repair if you want it
If the old key is gone or the lock is worn, we can rekey the cylinder so earlier keys no longer work. Nothing extra is done without your say-so.
Need broken key extraction in Palmdale?
24/7 Mobile Locksmith across Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County. We answer 24/7.
What affects the price
- Type of lock: a standard residential deadbolt is a different job from a high-security or restricted cylinder, a padlock, or a vehicle ignition.
- How the key broke: a fragment sticking out can often be gripped quickly, while one broken deep inside or jammed against the pins takes more time and care.
- Whether the lock was already damaged by attempts to remove the piece, which can add steps or call for repair or cylinder replacement.
- Replacement key requirements: a basic brass key is simple, while transponder, laser-cut, or restricted-keyway keys need more equipment and sometimes authorization.
- Time of day and location: after-hours calls and rural addresses out toward Lake Los Angeles can affect the service call portion of the quote.
- Add-on work such as rekeying, multiple locks on one property, or batched units for a landlord.
Why Palmdale chooses us
- Fully mobile and 24/7: we come to the lock, so a stuck ignition in a parking lot or a snapped key at a front door gets handled on site.
- In business since 1987, with David Shar as owner and lead technician, so the experience behind the work is real and local to Southern California.
- We try to save the lock first. Extraction and a fresh key are often enough, so you are not pushed into replacing hardware that still works.
- Clear conversation before work begins: we explain what we found and what the options are, with no pressure to add services.
- We handle homes, apartments, vehicles, and commercial doors, including master-key and restricted-key systems common in industrial corridors.
- No storefront and no pretense: we are a mobile service, and we say so plainly.
Broken Key Extraction across Palmdale
Palmdale spreads across a wide stretch of the Antelope Valley, and the calls look different from one part of town to the next. In Rancho Vista and Anaverde, many homes are stucco tract and master-planned houses with builder-grade deadbolts that have seen years of daily use by commuting families. A worn lock and a bent key are a common pair, and a key snapping in the deadbolt after a long day is a classic. In City Ranch on the west side and older blocks near Downtown Palmdale and Palmdale Blvd, older hardware can be stiffer, and we adjust our approach accordingly.
Out toward Lake Los Angeles and Quartz Hill, large-lot properties and gates mean padlocks and outbuilding locks break keys too, especially after dust and desert heat. We serve the ZIP codes 93550, 93551, 93552, and 93591, so whether you are near the Antelope Valley Mall, Marie Kerr Park, or off Sierra Highway, you are inside our area.
Property managers near Palmdale Blvd sometimes find a broken key during unit turnover; extraction, new keys, and a rekey can be done in one visit. Businesses along the Plant 42 corridor or near the mall may also have aluminum storefront locks, keypads affected by heat, or master-key systems, and we handle those as well. Call (323) 997-8867 any hour.
- Downtown Palmdale / Palmdale Blvd
- Rancho Vista
- Anaverde
- City Ranch (West Palmdale)
- Lake Los Angeles (east)
- Quartz Hill
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
24/7 Mobile Locksmith across Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County. We answer 24/7.
Other Palmdale locksmith services
Access ControlInstall keypad, card and fob access-control systems for business entrances.
Automotive LocksmithMobile auto locksmith for cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs and fleets.
Business LockoutLocked out of a store, office or commercial building? Rapid commercial entry.
Car Key ReplacementReplace lost or broken car keys — cut and programmed on site, even with no original.
Car LockoutKeys locked in the car or trunk? Fast, damage-free vehicle unlocking.
Commercial Door HardwareRepair and replace storefront, aluminum-frame and mortise door hardware.
Commercial LocksmithBusiness locksmith for offices, stores, warehouses and industrial sites.
Deadbolt InstallationAdd or replace single- and double-cylinder deadbolts for stronger doors.
Door Closer RepairRepair, adjust and replace hydraulic door closers on commercial doors.
Emergency Locksmith24/7 emergency dispatch for lockouts and urgent lock failures across Greater LA.
Gate Lock RepairRepair and install gate locks and latches, including keypad and smart gate locks.
High Security LocksInstall pick-, bump- and drill-resistant high-security locks and keys.
House LockoutLocked out of a house, apartment or condo? Damage-free entry on location.
Ignition RepairRepair or replace ignition cylinders and fix keys that won't turn.
Key DuplicationCut and copy house, office, mailbox and restricted keys on location.
Key Fob ReplacementReplace and program remote key fobs and smart/proximity keys.
Lock InstallationInstall new locks on new doors or where none existed before.
Lock RekeyingRekey existing locks so old keys stop working — ideal after a move or sale.
Lock RepairFix sticking, jammed, loose or misaligned locks, deadbolts and latches.
Lock ReplacementSwap worn, damaged or outdated locks for new hardware keyed to your needs.
Mailbox Lock ReplacementReplace and rekey residential, cluster and community mailbox locks.
Master Key SystemDesign and install master-key and restricted-key systems with key control.
Panic Bar InstallationInstall and repair panic bars, exit devices and emergency-exit hardware.
Residential LocksmithFull home locksmith service — rekeys, replacements, repairs and upgrades.
Safe LocksmithOpen, repair and service home and commercial safes; change combinations.
Smart Lock InstallationInstall, set up and troubleshoot smart, keyless and keypad locks.
Transponder Key ProgrammingProgram chip/transponder keys to your vehicle's immobilizer.
See all of our Palmdale services, or our citywide broken key extraction page.
Broken Key Extraction in Palmdale — FAQs
Can you really remove a key that snapped off inside the lock?
Do you serve Palmdale at night and on weekends?
Will I need a new lock after the key breaks?
Can you fix a key broken in my car ignition?
What should I do before you arrive?
How much does broken key extraction cost?
Can you handle several units for a landlord or property manager?
Do you work on commercial and master-key locks?
Reviewed by David Shar — Owner & Lead Technician
Crenshaw Lock Company has served Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County since 1987.
Last updated 2026-10-12.