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Lost Key during moving

chevyfan77

chevyfan77

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So we moved to a new home back in December. A buddy of mine kept a few of my vehicles while we moved. Now that it's warmer, I am retrieving my things!!! Only problem is, the keys I specifically put in one place are gone!!! Oh well. Any ideas on what to do? Would a locksmith even work on it? I have a spare cylinder at my home, so do I screw driver hit it and get the steering unlocked so I can load it? Any advice is great. Thanks.
 
You can disassemble the column, starting with the steering wheel and swap the lock cylinder without having the key. You need a couple of special tools to do it, but they are usually available on the loan-a-tool program. There is somebody selling whole new sets, but you can also check marketplace and eBay for used lock cylinders with keys. Somebody here might have one.

If you have the cylinder removed and can take it to a locksmith, your odds of them making a key go way up.

Someone else can chime in on whether the column will unlock if you have the column lock cylinder pulled and start it with a screwdriver.
 
chevyfan77 said:
So we moved to a new home back in December. A buddy of mine kept a few of my vehicles while we moved. Now that it's warmer, I am retrieving my things!!! Only problem is, the keys I specifically put in one place are gone!!! Oh well. Any ideas on what to do? Would a locksmith even work on it? I have a spare cylinder at my home, so do I screw driver hit it and get the steering unlocked so I can load it? Any advice is great. Thanks.
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what type of vehicle? when I was robbed they took keys to all my vehicles. the ones I wanted to keep were new enough that a single key would fit door and ignition. the locksmith that came out said he could cut a door key no problem; but if I needed an ignition key I would have to show proof of ownership. I sold a Bravada that took separate keys and I just took the column apart and took the cylinder out to be able to turn the ignition to put it in neutral to load on a trailer. the ones I took to the junk yard I just busted the columns.
 
nvrenuf said:
Any friends with a square body local to the truck(s)? I have had friends with keys that worked in my truck.
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Good point. What year is the vehicle in question? If you have a friend at a junkyard, they may have a complete set of keys. Back in the 70's, especially, there weren't very many different key cuts. Plus, as the lock cylinder gets old, it gets to where almost anything will turn it. Eventually you don't even need a key.

Or just do what they do on TV. There are always loose wires under the dash, pre-stripped for you that never short out during years of previous operation, but let you hotwire the car in 2 seconds. :waytogo:
 
Squarebody I assume? If you take the steering wheel off and get the lock plate off the lock cylinder comes out after removing a bolt. You can put everything back together with the lock cylinder out of the column. A screwdriver will not work at this point, you need some needle nose pliers. There is a round piece in there with 2 flats that sticks up and you will be able to grab it with pliers and turn it. If I remember correctly a 6 point socket will go on there also, 10mm possibly. I had an early 80's truck that was driven this way for a year or so. Its kind of hard to squeeze the pliers while turning, you could try needle nose vise grips or go with a socket. I had a little 3/8 drive breaker bar with a socket on it that worked great.
 
 
Thank you guys! The vehicle in question is my 77 K5 blazer. I've got some keys to my other squarebodies. I will try them and see what happens. Appreciate the free advice!!!
 
The local car parts place should be able to loan you the steering wheel puller and the lock plate tool, if you don't have already something suitable.
 
Yep, you'll likely do far more damage than just the lock cylinder by forcing the cylinder to turn, versus finding a key that works, or disassembling from the steering wheel down.
 
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