Help: jimmied car lock !

[Les]

Hi guys, my dads car got jimmied and was just wondering what my options are for fixing it, as it is completely wrecked - cant get key in or out.

(1) Take out old lock, get similar from wrecker, get barrel "re-cut" to original key, refit into door

(2) Pay someone to do it !! I am too lazy to DIY so any idea who does this sort of work and how much do they charge. Just any locksmith or mechanic? Is there someone that you guys recommend in the Hills area to get this done.

Appreciate the responses ! Thanks !!

Les

[river]

Hi,

Yes there's a mob in the Hills that does it. I forget their name... but they are in one of the factory complexes at 8 Victoria Avenue. You know if you go along Carrington Ave to the round-about of Victoria Avenue.... well it's in the complex just there... the one with the news agent and Pack & Send there. Go there, drive right up to the end and they're just on the right.

They can remove the lock and fix the barrel so it can use the original key.

Hope this helps you.

seeyuzz
river

[Squid]

As river said there is very little they can do to permantely destroy the lock.. a lock smith will normally be able to rebuild it. Was the break in successful? If so an upgraded lock may be the way to go?

Also in my experience, locksmiths will charge $100 to talk to you, let alone do any work

[Les]

Hi river, thanks !

No idea what the name is ? Give them a call to see how much they charge.

Otherwise I will just take a drive there and walk around. Will they fix the panel work as well ? I was unable to bend the door panel back in place where they jimmied it.

[river]

Hi,

Sorry, I can't remember the name. You can try "locksmiths" in the Yellow Pages web site and search for the postcode of 2154... maybe you'll get a hit for 8 Victoria Avenue.

They don't do panels.... just locks.

They weren't too expensive IIRC. It was under $100 and that was with them taking out the lock and doing it all.... and cheaper if you take the lock out yourself and give it to them.

seeyuzz
river

[Squid]

Wow that is pretty cheap!

Take the door trim off, remove the lock yourself, take it to said lock smith, while he is rebuilding the lock go to a panel beater and see if they can pull the dent?

might get away with it for $100?

[river]

Hi,

If it's a small dent and can be pulled back into shape without requiring painting etc... then try the "Dent Man" .... Unit-46 @ 2 Hoyle Ave... 8824-9621. Hoyle Ave is also in Castle Hill.. coming off the roundabout where Mistsubishi are (were?) in Victoria Avenue. So, it's all pretty close by.

These guys specialise in small paintless dent removals, hail damage and stuff like that. Their prices, per dent, weren't too bad. It was about $150 to fix three dents in my car.

seeyuzz
river

[Les]

0 and that was with them taking out the lock and doing it all.... and cheaper if you take the lock out yourself and give it to them.

seeyuzz
river

I can just easily go to the wreckers to get another lock, should I do that ? I don't know how fixable my lock on the car is right now .. looks pretty bad. The re-fitting may be the issue too, as it's a bit loose now, due to the fact that the door panel is bent ..

Farkin junkies all for a few dollars in ashtray !!!!!

EDIT

Ok, the dent is not really a 'dent' more a bend so that now, the lock can't sit flush on the panel. Still I think there is abit of work involved in getting the lock to sit flush.

Looks like about $100-$150 to fix all up. Thanks for the contact river !

[river]

Hi,

Yes, you can go to the wreckers and get another lock. Then take this lock to the locksmith - along with your car keys - and they can match the barrels so the lock will work with your key. Take a spare set of keys 'cos while the locksmith is doing his bit you can take the car to the Dent Man and get the panel fixed, thern come back and get the lock.

You can then fit the new lock yourself, or pay extra for the locksmith to fit it for you. There... all done!

seeyuzz
river

[Squid]

When you have the lock out you could try and gently massage the inside with a small hammer yourself, that might be good enough, I suppose it depends on the car and wether you want it fixed or if good enough will do?

[river]

Hi,

When you have the lock out you could try and gently massage the inside with a small hammer yourself, that might be good enough, I suppose it depends on the car and wether you want it fixed or if good enough will do?

Agreed. It could just need a gentle push/massage.

seeyuzz
rvier

[Les]

Hey guys,

I called the place in Carso mate. It costs $38.50 to re-ballel the lock (which I think I will go to the wrecker to pick up a decent looking one as opposed to risking fixing the broken one that's still on the car). DIY style. So remove re-barrel and re fit.

It costs $99 for me to pick one up from the wrecker and let them re-barrel and fit (including the tiny bit of panel work.

Sweet .. might bite the bullet and do away with $99.

[oldcorollas]

my friend who is a locksmith got me a pair of new new barrels (for corolla/celica) for about $20-25. but that is with new key, not re-pinned...

[Vios-GT_07]

why not get a Solex lock?? i got one set for 70 odd bucks which i was told was a bit too expensive and after i modified it to fit, u'd need to cut out the lock with a hack-saw or weld it out to break into the car... thing is, u could hack at the door / lock for yoinks and still not get in though...

[Sprinter-Saurus]

why not get a Solex lock?? i got one set for 70 odd bucks which i was told was a bit too expensive and after i modified it to fit, u'd need to cut out the lock with a hack-saw or weld it out to break into the car... thing is, u could hack at the door / lock for yoinks and still not get in though...

Or just throw a brick through the window. One of my cars has solexs, and they are fiddly, but I suppose they would work maybe with a lazy thief, but not with one who is desperate and will smash a window for a few coins.