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Crenshaw Lock

Broken Key Extraction in Van Nuys · 24/7 mobile

Broken Key Extraction in Van Nuys, California

Crenshaw Lock Company provides broken key extraction in Van Nuys, California, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our mobile locksmiths come to your door, car, or business, remove the snapped key piece, and cut a working replacement. Call (323) 997-8867 for help.

  • Mobile to your Van Nuys 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 snapping off in a lock is one of those small disasters that always seems to happen at the worst moment: late at night in a driveway off Sherman Way, in a dealership lot on Van Nuys Boulevard, or at the back door of a shop with a delivery waiting. The good news is that a broken key is usually a very fixable problem when it is handled carefully, and the worst thing you can do is try to dig it out yourself with a paperclip or push it deeper with the other half of the key.

Crenshaw Lock Company has served Greater Los Angeles and Ventura County since 1987, and owner and lead technician David Shar built the business on exactly this kind of hands-on lock work. We are fully mobile, so there is no shop to drive to. We come to you, with extraction tools and key-cutting capability, and we work on the lock in place whenever possible.

Van Nuys has an unusually wide range of locks for a single community. Vintage mortise sets in 1920s bungalows, tired pin-tumbler deadbolts in 1950s tract homes, apartment hardware along Sepulveda and Victory, aluminum-storefront deadlatches on commercial strips, and a steady stream of vehicles with transponder keys. Each one breaks differently and needs a different approach, which is why we look at the lock before we decide how to proceed.

How it works in Van Nuys

  1. 1

    Call and describe what happened

    Phone us at (323) 997-8867 any time of day or night. Tell us what kind of lock it is (front door, deadbolt, padlock, storefront, car door, or ignition), whether the broken piece is sticking out or sitting flush, and whether you still have the other half of the key. That helps us bring the right tools.

  2. 2

    Assess the lock and the break

    On arrival we look at the lock, the position of the broken fragment, and the condition of the cylinder. A key snapped cleanly at the face of a newer deadbolt is a different job from a worn key broken deep inside an old cylinder or a car ignition.

  3. 3

    Extract the fragment carefully

    We use purpose-made extractor tools to grip and draw out the piece without damaging the pins or wafers. If part of the key is still visible, we may be able to pull it directly. If it is deeper, we work it out in stages so it does not get pushed further in.

  4. 4

    Check the lock and cut a replacement

    Once the piece is out, we test the cylinder. If it operates smoothly, we cut a new key, often using the broken pieces or the lock itself as a reference. If the lock is damaged or worn, we explain whether repair, rekeying, or replacement makes more sense.

  5. 5

    Test and hand over

    We test the new key repeatedly in the lock, and for vehicles we confirm it starts the car where applicable. Before we leave, we point out any signs of wear that caused the break so it is less likely to happen again.

Need broken key extraction in Van Nuys?

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

Call (323) 997-8867

What affects the price

  • Type of lock: a standard residential deadbolt, a vintage mortise cylinder, a commercial deadlatch, and a vehicle ignition all take different tools and time.
  • How deep the fragment sits: a key broken flush or deep in the keyway takes more care than one with the piece still protruding.
  • Whether a replacement key is needed and what kind: a basic cut key is simpler than a high-security, laser-cut, or transponder key that needs programming.
  • Condition of the lock: if the cylinder is worn, damaged, or corroded, repair or replacement may be recommended in addition to extraction.
  • Vehicle specifics: make, model, and year affect ignition extraction and transponder key work.
  • Time of day and location: after-hours and late-night calls and job site access can influence the overall cost, and we explain this before work starts.

Why Van Nuys chooses us

  • Fully mobile 24/7 service: we come to your home, vehicle, or business, so you never have to carry a damaged lock anywhere.
  • Serving the region since 1987, with owner David Shar leading the work and standing behind it.
  • Extraction first, replacement second: we try to save your existing lock when it is sound rather than pushing a new one by default.
  • Experience across residential, commercial, and automotive locks, from period mortise hardware to storefront deadlatches and transponder keys.
  • Clear conversation before work begins, including whether the lock should be repaired, rekeyed, or replaced.
  • We work to avoid damaging doors, especially older wood doors, and take care with vintage hardware.

Broken Key Extraction across Van Nuys

Van Nuys covers a lot of ground, and the lock problems change from block to block. Around the original townsite near Sylvan Park, many 1920s and 1940s Spanish and California bungalows still have their original mortise locksets or old cylinders. Decades of use make keys brittle, and a worn key snapping off in a 91401 front door is a common story. In those cases we try to preserve the period door and hardware rather than replace it outright.

Over in Kester Ridge and the 1950s tracts of 91405, 91406, and 91411, you will find more standard residential deadbolts and a lot of busy households where a key gets forced and breaks. Apartment buildings along Sepulveda, Van Nuys Boulevard, and Victory Boulevard add another layer, with shared hardware and master-keyed systems where a snapped key needs careful handling.

The commercial side matters too. Aluminum-storefront buildings along Van Nuys Boulevard and Sepulveda often use Adams Rite deadlatches, and businesses around the Van Nuys Civic Center, the courthouse area, auto row, and Van Nuys Airport rely on vehicles and fleet keys every day. Whether you are near the I-405 or US-101 corridors or tucked off a residential side street, we are mobile and available around the clock. Call (323) 997-8867.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

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Other Van Nuys locksmith services

See all of our Van Nuys services, or our citywide broken key extraction page.

Broken Key Extraction in Van Nuys — FAQs

What should I do right after a key breaks in the lock?
Stop turning the key and do not try to force it. Avoid pushing the broken piece deeper with tools or the other half of the key. Call us at (323) 997-8867 and we will walk you through what to expect.
Can you remove a broken key without damaging the lock?
In most cases, yes. We use extractor tools designed for this, and the lock usually keeps working afterward. If it was already worn or damaged, we will tell you honestly and explain your options.
Do you work on broken keys in car ignitions in Van Nuys?
Yes. We handle broken keys in ignitions and door locks for vehicles, and can cut or program a replacement. Call (323) 997-8867 with the make, model, and year to help us prepare.
Can you help with an old mortise lock in a 1920s bungalow?
Yes. Vintage mortise locks and old cylinders are common around the original Van Nuys townsite. We work to extract the key and, where possible, keep the original hardware and door intact.
Will I need a new lock after the key is extracted?
Not always. If the cylinder works smoothly after extraction, a new key may be all you need. If it is worn or damaged, we may recommend rekeying or replacement.
Do you handle broken keys at businesses and storefronts?
Yes. We work on commercial cylinders, aluminum-storefront deadlatches, and panic hardware. We can help with a broken key and rekey the lock afterward if needed, such as after a tenant change.
Are you available at night and on weekends?
Yes. We are available 24/7 and fully mobile, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Call (323) 997-8867 any time.
Do I have to come to a shop?
No. Crenshaw Lock Company is mobile only and has no storefront to visit. We come to your location in Van Nuys and do the work on site.
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