01
Jun
2011
Hello and welcome to the US Locksmith Pros blog! In this first post we will discuss how and why lock cylinders on car and trucks need to be repaired or replaced. There are many different reasons that a lock cylinder on your car will need to have some maintenance performed. Some of the reasons for removing and/or replacing an automotive lock cylinder include:
- Excessive wear has damaged your lock
- Your key will not turn in the lock
- Your key begins to stick in the lock and has become hard to turn
These problems are common and are generally caused by normal wear and tear. Continual use has an effect on each and every lock and your cars’ door locks are no exception. The lock that most frequently requires work is the driver’s side door, due to it being used multiple times in one day, but all outdoor locks are constantly exposed to all types of weather, which can cause corrosion of the door locks.
Other common lock cylinder problems include broken car keys and other object (like sticks or dirt) being stuck inside the lock assembly. Attempted car theft can leave an automobile with a smashed or badly damaged lock cylinder. If this happens you should probably get your locks replaced, as they will be too hard for a locksmith to repair correctly.
To Repair or Replace… That is the Question.
In most cases if you car’s locks are damaged the common practice is to completely replace the lock assembly. This is due to the fact that cylinders are relatively inexpensive and it takes much less time to replace a lock than to mend it and reinstall it. Locks have expiration, and mending a door lock that has failed might result in a few months of working parts, but it will probably fail again sooner that you would have liked. In our professional opinion it is more sound of an idea to completely change your auto lock if it malfunctions to avoid future headaches.
In the next post we will go over how a certified locksmith will carry out an auto lock replacement.
