Car lock specialist anyone? Problems with ignition lock on B20

[timdaw]

Does anyone know of a locksmith in the UK that can rebuild an ignition lock with new little brass pins and springs? Needs to be someone familiar with classic car locks. My ignition key stuck in the lock and I had to disconnect coil and battery to stop engine. Finally got it apart and extracted key. Problem seems to be worn pins in the locking mechanism. I tried a few places who are supposed to be 'master locksmiths' but no interest in helping me. Thank you.

[cundyalex]

Good Evening Tim,

this got me thinking, as I had exactly the same problem last summer. after a long session working the key around hoping not to break it off in the lock I did get it out in the end. In my case though it wasn't wear (the worn pins and springs had been replaced and matched to the key when my dad restored the car) but it had been lubricated with something that had gummed up a bit so a clean and lube with a little dry white grease/PTFE fixed it.

No problems at all since then. Although I have read that locks should not be lubricated at all, it worked for me.

Sorry that doesn't help you much with your specific question! Anyway - after a bit of googling I did find this lot who offer to make a lock fit a key, rather than the other way round, and seem to be car friendly.

I think to do this they would need to be able to match the pins to the key profile, so maybe they are worth a call if you haven't already.

Good luck.

www.cooperkeys.co.uk/page6.html

[SanRemo78]

I've been told that locks should be "greased" with graphite grease which is a very fine graphite powder. We get regular reminders from Ultion to do this for our house's door locks and I take the opportunity to go round the cars too!

Guy

[Sliding Pillar]

I agree, graphite powder is the only thing to use in locks.

[timdaw]

I think to do this they would need to be able to match the pins to the key profile, so maybe they are worth a call if you haven't already.

Good luck.

www.cooperkeys.co.uk/page6.html

Thanks Alex. Those are the first people I tried! I've sent them a couple of emails with photo's and telephoned a couple of times. Apparently Cooper Snr., who is the man for this kind of work, has just retired but is still doing occasional work, but so far no response! I'll be sure to post here if I have success. I wasn't aware that locks shouldn't be lubricated with anything other than graphite! However the lock was not gummed up. At the moment I have replaced the ignition switch minus the key barrel and can turn on the ignition by turning the commutator with a suitable sized screwdriver! A bit primative, but at least the car isn't disabled.

[Jay]

Although not in the UK Simon Vietze does very high quality work https://www.rafanno.at

 

[Jai Sharma]

Just to say I used Cooper Keys many times in the past and Sr is a wizard. His father made a machine to cut those funny Beta keys.

[Hill Country B20]

Sorry I can't add anything to help you fix your ignition lock. But since others have chimed in with advice on lock lube, I thought I'd pass on the advice of Stuart at Keys4Classics in Australia. I've found him extremely knowledgeable and helpful for many years. His take on graphite: favorite of locksmiths for generation, but it is old technology. It's a solid and too much can clog a lock, and it's dirty to use. It DOES have pros: it's cheap and not sticky like oil or grease. His recommendation: PTFE spray lubricant, and it's ok to use lots. #2 is dry silicone. He also has advice for "breaking in" a new key.

[timdaw]

Just to say I used Cooper Keys many times in the past and Sr is a wizard. His father made a machine to cut those funny Beta keys.

Thanks for that! I'll persevere with them and report back.