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Crenshaw Lock

Broken Key Extraction in Westmont · 24/7 mobile

Broken Key Extraction in Westmont, California

Crenshaw Lock Company provides 24/7 mobile broken key extraction in Westmont, California. If a key has snapped in a door lock, deadbolt, padlock, or ignition, we come to you, remove the broken piece, and cut a working replacement. Call (323) 997-8867 any time, day or night.

  • Mobile to your Westmont 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 the lock almost always happens at the worst moment: first thing in the morning on the way to work, late at night after a shift, or while you are juggling groceries at the front door. In Westmont, where so many homes were built between the 1920s and 1950s, the locks on those doors have often been turning for decades. Worn brass, tired pins, and keys that have been copied from copies are a common recipe for a key that finally gives up.

Crenshaw Lock Company has served Greater Los Angeles and Ventura County since 1987, and owner and lead technician David Shar has seen just about every way a key can break. We are fully mobile, which means there is no storefront to drive to. We bring the extraction tools and key-cutting equipment to your door, your storefront, or your parked car, and we are available around the clock.

The goal is simple: get the broken piece out without damaging the lock whenever that is possible, then get you a key that works. Sometimes that means the lock is fine and just needs a fresh key. Other times the lock is so worn that it is the real cause of the problem, and we will tell you plainly so you can decide whether to keep it, rekey it, or replace it.

How it works in Westmont

  1. 1

    You call and describe what happened

    Call (323) 997-8867 and tell us where the key broke: a front door, a deadbolt, a padlock, a mailbox, a roll-down gate, or a car ignition. Let us know whether part of the key is still sticking out. That helps us bring the right tools.

  2. 2

    We come to you

    Because we are mobile, a technician drives to your home, duplex, storefront, or vehicle in Westmont. There is nothing to bring in and nowhere to tow a door to. We are available 24/7.

  3. 3

    Assess the break and the lock

    We look at how the key snapped, how much of it is left in the cylinder, and what condition the lock is in. A key broken flush inside a corroded, decades-old cylinder is a different job than a stub still sticking out of a newer deadbolt.

  4. 4

    Extract the broken piece

    Using purpose-made extraction tools, we remove the fragment carefully to avoid scratching the pins or damaging the cylinder. If the lock is too worn or jammed to release the piece safely, we explain the options, which may include removing the cylinder.

  5. 5

    Cut a replacement key

    Once the lock is clear, we cut a new key on site. We use the broken pieces, the lock itself, or the lock's key code where applicable, and we test the new key several times to make sure it turns smoothly.

  6. 6

    Check the lock and recommend next steps

    If the lock is sticky, loose, or badly worn, we say so honestly. You can choose to leave it as it is, have it rekeyed, or replace the hardware. Nothing is done without your approval.

Need broken key extraction in Westmont?

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 house cylinder, a deadbolt, a padlock, a gate lock, and a vehicle ignition each call for different tools and different amounts of work.
  • How deep the fragment is: a piece still sticking out is generally simpler to remove than one broken flush or pushed deep into the keyway.
  • The condition of the lock: corrosion, wear, or earlier attempts to dig the key out can make extraction slower or mean the cylinder needs to be removed.
  • The kind of replacement key needed: a basic brass house key is different from a high-security key, a transponder key, or a key that requires code cutting.
  • Whether the lock needs repair, rekeying, or replacement after extraction, since some worn locks are better swapped than saved.
  • The time and location of the call, since we serve emergencies at all hours and travel to you; we are glad to talk through what applies to your situation when you call.

Why Westmont chooses us

  • Fully mobile and 24/7: we come to your door, storefront, or car, so a snapped key does not require you to go anywhere.
  • Serving the Los Angeles area since 1987, with owner and lead tech David Shar bringing long hands-on experience with old, worn hardware like what is found in mid-century homes.
  • Extraction first, replacement second: we try to save your existing lock and cut a new key rather than pushing you toward a full replacement you may not need.
  • Honest assessments: if a lock is wearing out and is likely to break another key, we will tell you, and you decide.
  • One visit covers it: extraction, key cutting, and testing happen on site, and we can handle rekeying or hardware upgrades in the same trip if you want them.
  • Experience with residential and commercial hardware, from 1940s bungalow deadbolts to security gate locks on small commercial units.

Broken Key Extraction across Westmont

Westmont sits in unincorporated Los Angeles County, and much of its housing is the older stock that makes broken keys so common: small stucco homes and California bungalows from the 1920s to the 1950s, plus duplexes and small apartment buildings. Locks on these properties have often been in service for decades, and when a key is copied repeatedly or forced in a sticky cylinder, it can shear off. We regularly see this on front doors and deadbolts in the residential blocks off Western Avenue and Vermont Avenue, and in neighboring areas like Vermont Knolls and West Athens.

Rental properties bring their own pattern. When a duplex or small apartment turns over tenants, old keys that have been passed around and re-cut sometimes break in the lock. After extracting the piece, it often makes sense to rekey the unit so that any keys still floating around no longer work. We can do both in the same visit, whether you are a landlord in 90047 or a tenant locked out of a unit in 90044.

Along Western Avenue, Vermont Avenue, Imperial Highway, and Manchester Avenue, many mini-malls, markets, and auto shops rely on roll-down security gates and heavy padlocks. A key that snaps in a gate lock can keep a business from opening, so we come out to storefronts as well. Whether you are near Jesse Owens Community Regional Park, close to Washington Preparatory High School, or around the Vermont and Manchester corridor, call (323) 997-8867 and we will come to you, since we are mobile and do not operate a storefront.

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 Westmont locksmith services

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

Broken Key Extraction in Westmont — FAQs

What should I do if my key breaks in the lock?
Stop turning or forcing it, since that can push the piece deeper or damage the pins. Do not try to dig it out with a knife or screwdriver. Call (323) 997-8867 and we will come to your Westmont location, remove the piece, and cut a new key.
Can you remove a broken key without damaging my lock?
In most cases, yes. Extraction tools are designed to pull the fragment out without harming the cylinder. If the lock is badly corroded or worn, we will explain that before proceeding and discuss options.
Do you come out at night and on weekends in Westmont?
Yes. Crenshaw Lock Company is available 24/7 and fully mobile. Call (323) 997-8867 at any hour and we will come to you.
Can you fix a key snapped in my car ignition?
Yes. We handle broken keys in vehicle ignitions as well as in doors. Tell us the make and model when you call so we can prepare for the right key type, and we will extract the piece and cut a replacement at your location.
Will you cut a new key on the spot?
Yes. After the broken piece is removed, we cut a replacement key at your location and test it in the lock. Some high-security or transponder keys may need extra steps, which we will explain.
My house is an older bungalow and the locks are decades old. Is that why my key broke?
It can be a major factor. Older locks wear down inside, and keys copied from worn keys fit poorly and are under more stress. We will check the lock after extraction and suggest rekeying or replacement if it is likely to cause trouble again.
I manage a rental duplex. Can you extract the key and rekey the lock in one visit?
Yes. Many landlords combine the two, especially around tenant turnover. We can remove the broken key, then rekey the lock so older keys no longer work. Call (323) 997-8867 to talk through your property.
Do you have a shop I can come to?
No. We are a mobile-only service with no storefront. A technician travels to your home, business, or vehicle anywhere we serve, including Westmont and nearby areas.
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