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Crenshaw Lock

Broken Key Extraction in Sherman Oaks · 24/7 mobile

Broken Key Extraction in Sherman Oaks, CA

Need broken key extraction in Sherman Oaks? Crenshaw Lock Company is a fully mobile locksmith available 24/7. We come to your home, business or car, remove the snapped piece without damaging the lock whenever possible, and cut a replacement key. Call (323) 997-8867.

  • Mobile to your Sherman Oaks location
  • Available 24/7
  • Price quoted before we start
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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 problems that feels small until you are standing outside your own door, or stuck in a parking space off Ventura Boulevard with half a key in your hand. The good news is that most broken keys can be removed cleanly, and in many cases the lock itself keeps working afterward. The key is to stop, avoid forcing anything, and let someone with the right tools handle it.

Crenshaw Lock Company has served Greater Los Angeles and Ventura County since 1987, and David Shar and our team are fully mobile. There is no shop to drive to. We bring extraction tools, key-cutting equipment and replacement hardware to you, day or night, whether that is a front door, a gate lock, a storefront cylinder or a car ignition.

Sherman Oaks has a wide mix of locks, from older deadbolts on 1930s to 1950s homes on the flats to high-security cylinders on hillside estates and commercial hardware along the Boulevard. Each one breaks keys differently, and each calls for a slightly different approach. Below is how we handle it, what affects cost, and what to do in the meantime.

How it works in Sherman Oaks

  1. 1

    Stop and leave the lock alone

    When you call (323) 997-8867, we will first ask you not to jam the broken half back in, wiggle it hard, or squirt in glue or heavy oil. Those moves push the fragment deeper or gum up the pins, and they make extraction harder and riskier for the lock.

  2. 2

    Look at the lock and the break

    On arrival we check what kind of lock it is, how much of the key is sticking out, and how deep the fragment sits. A key snapped flush in a standard deadbolt is a different job from a piece lodged in a high-security cylinder or a car ignition.

  3. 3

    Extract the fragment

    We use fine extractor tools made for this purpose to hook or grip the piece and draw it straight out along the keyway. If part of the key is still protruding, it can sometimes be gripped directly. The aim is to keep the pins and wafers undamaged.

  4. 4

    Check that the lock still works

    Once the piece is out, we test the cylinder for smooth operation, look for burrs or bent components, and clean the keyway if needed. If the lock is worn or damaged, we explain whether it can be repaired, rekeyed or should be replaced.

  5. 5

    Cut a working replacement key

    Using the fragment, the other half, or the lock itself as a reference, we cut a new key on the spot. For car ignitions or transponder keys, we discuss what the vehicle requires so you leave with a key that actually works.

  6. 6

    Talk through prevention

    Keys usually break because they were already worn, bent or cut from a poor copy. We point out any weak keys you are still carrying and suggest fresh duplicates before another one fails at a bad time.

Need broken key extraction in Sherman Oaks?

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: a standard residential deadbolt, a high-security cylinder, a storefront lock or a car ignition each take different tools and time.
  • How deep the fragment is lodged, and whether part of the key is still visible and easy to grip.
  • Whether the lock was damaged by earlier attempts to pull the key out, which can add repair or replacement work.
  • The kind of replacement key needed, such as a basic cut key, a restricted-keyway key or a transponder car key requiring programming.
  • Time of day and location, since after-hours calls and hillside or gated properties may involve different logistics.
  • Whether you also want extra copies, a rekey or hardware replacement done during the same visit.

Why Sherman Oaks chooses us

  • Fully mobile service: we come to your door, gate or vehicle rather than asking you to bring a lock to a shop, because there is no storefront.
  • Serving Greater Los Angeles and Ventura County since 1987, so we have seen broken keys in everything from old valley-floor deadbolts to modern high-security cylinders.
  • Extraction first, replacement second: we try to save the existing lock and only recommend replacing it when it is actually damaged.
  • Experience with the lock types common in Sherman Oaks, including Medeco and Mul-T-Lock cylinders, electronic deadbolts and aluminum-storefront hardware.
  • Available 24/7, so a snapped key at night or on a weekend does not have to wait until business hours.
  • Plain explanations of what we find and what your options are before any work goes beyond the extraction.

Broken Key Extraction across Sherman Oaks

Sherman Oaks stretches from the valley-floor flats up into the Santa Monica Mountains, and the broken-key calls reflect that. In Chandler Estates and across the flats in ZIP code 91403, many homes are 1930s to 1950s Spanish, traditional and ranch houses whose original deadbolts have seen decades of use. Worn brass keys are the usual culprit, and a key that has been copied from a copy can snap in the cylinder. We extract the piece, cut a clean new key, and often suggest a fresh set so the problem does not repeat.

South of the Boulevard, where the hillsides rise toward Fryman Canyon, properties lean toward gated estates, custom contemporary homes and canyon houses on winding roads. Here the locks are more often high-security cylinders such as Medeco or Mul-T-Lock, along with driveway gate keypads and access control. A broken key in one of these cylinders needs a careful hand, because the tighter tolerances and restricted keyways are not forgiving. Since we are mobile, we bring what is needed to the property rather than asking you to leave a house unsecured.

Along the Ventura Boulevard corridor and around the Sherman Oaks Galleria at Ventura and Sepulveda, the work shifts to restaurants, boutiques and offices with aluminum-storefront doors and Adams Rite style locks. A key snapping in a storefront lock at closing time is a real headache, and a manager or employee turnover can make it a good moment to rekey as well. Whether you are near Westfield Fashion Square in ZIP code 91423, off Van Nuys Boulevard, or just off the I-405 or US-101, call (323) 997-8867 and we will come to you.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

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

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Other Sherman Oaks locksmith services

See all of our Sherman Oaks services, or our citywide broken key extraction page.

Broken Key Extraction in Sherman Oaks — FAQs

Can you get a broken key out of my lock without replacing the lock?
In most cases, yes. We use fine extractor tools to draw the fragment out along the keyway so the pins stay intact. If the lock was damaged by earlier attempts to remove the key, we will tell you honestly whether it needs repair or replacement. Call (323) 997-8867 to describe what happened.
What should I do right after my key breaks in the lock?
Stop turning or forcing it. Do not push the piece deeper, and avoid glue, heavy oil or sprays. If part of the key is sticking out, leave it be. Keep both pieces if you can, because they help us cut an accurate replacement, then call us.
Do you work on high-security locks like Medeco or Mul-T-Lock in Sherman Oaks?
Yes. Many hillside and high-value homes in Sherman Oaks use high-security cylinders. These have tighter tolerances, so extraction takes care, and we also discuss replacement keys for restricted keyways. Call (323) 997-8867 to talk through your specific lock.
Can you extract a key broken in a car ignition?
Often we can. We remove the fragment from the ignition or door lock and cut a replacement. Some vehicles use transponder keys that need programming, so tell us the make, model and year when you call (323) 997-8867.
My key snapped in my store's front door on Ventura Boulevard. Can you help after hours?
Yes. We are available 24/7 and fully mobile, so we can come to your storefront, extract the key from the aluminum-door lock and cut a new one. If staff has changed recently, we can also rekey the lock during the same visit.
Will you cut a new key on the spot?
Generally yes. We cut replacement keys at your location using the broken pieces or the lock as a reference. For specialty or restricted keys, we will explain what is possible and what may require extra steps.
How is the price determined?
We do not quote numbers without seeing the situation. Cost depends on the lock type, how deep the fragment is, any damage to the lock and the kind of replacement key needed. Call (323) 997-8867 and we will explain how it applies to you.
Do I need to come to a shop?
No. Crenshaw Lock Company is mobile only and has no storefront. We come to your home, gate, business or vehicle anywhere we serve in Sherman Oaks.
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