We* have managed to snap the key off inside the ignition in our 1980 1000 (steering column mounted, steering lock). Before I go and do something I can't undo, can the barrel be taken apart in a non-irreversible way? Seems to have broken too far down inside to get anything to grip onto the snapped off bit from the outside. Worst case scenario I can rob one off the project car, but if I rob much more off the project there won't be a project.



* We means she

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is the key magnetic?

you could make yourself an electro-magnet from a nail....

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Nope, that was plan A. Great minds...

Maybe I'll just start unscrewing stuff.....if I can't get the key out it's poked anyway.

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bugger....

a locksmith would have all sorts of clever tools for getting it out

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

You might be able to bend a tiny hook out of a paperclip and manipulate it out. The hook needs to be about 1 to 2mm.

With a steering lock I would just remove the whole lock from the column and then pop the barrel out of the lock and then poke the key out from the bottom end.

I have removed a broken off key out of the door of a safe using superglue but it takes a really delicate touch or you will glue the key in the lock. (A tiny dot of glue on the point of a toothpick)

careful now , talk like that and you might be living in that BIG brick house on the outskirts of town ,

Shhh, where do you think I have been hiding the past six months.

Just unbolt the barrel and pull it apart it's very easy u will c a run on the side of the casing it needs to come out then it will nearly fall apart

Got all excited when I read this, so started to have a poke about.

By "just unbolt the barrel", you mean drill out the security bolts holding it to the column? Sounds....fun....

Here's what I'm looking at:



The dowel on the right needs to be punched back I guess, to allow the end plate to drop out. But I can't punch that dowel back while the lock is still mounted to the column.

Crap.

I guess I may be able to drill ends of the bolts and get an ezi-out in there?

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Ok with the bolts put a slot in then and unscrew then with a screwdriver I did the on the side of the barrel there is a pin which needs to come out so the whole plate will fall out will take photos later today for

even with this plate removed you will still have the mechanism of the steering lock blocking your way.
i would take an old small hacksaw blade and grind a hook out of it and try to pull the part of the key out. works quite well if you take the time it takes

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Rover 214 atm ....

Right, got the bolts out (slot cut), and removed the whole mechanism. Got the end of the key out - I can see now because of it's shape and how far in it was that I would never have got it out with a hook.

So now just gotta put it all back together. Wish I'd seen where the detent ball bearing had come from

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There r two ball bearings with springs the bearings go under the springs then the switch plate ( thing with wires out of it) goes in

errm....nope. No balls under the switch plate. The only ball in the whole thing was the one you can see from the outside, just inside the key hole.

All sorted and back together. Bit of a learning experience. Thanks for the ideas on disassembly.

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Sorry lol wrong spot when u pull the key barrel out there is springs and balls my bad