Removing Automotive Locks From Junked Cars?

[Shark500]

You can skip all this:

I've been picking locks and reading LP101 for quite some time now and I want to experiment with automotive locks. For whatever reason, I don't have access to the advanced section of the forum so I'll just ask here.

The actual question:

Is there an easy way to remove a lock (door lock or trunk lock) from an old junked car? Last time I tried (on an old 70's impala half sunk into the ground) it was like trying to pry it from an iron fortress. I wound up FUBARing the lock so it was useless.

What I want to know:

Is there an easy way to remove locks from junked cars (assuming that they're already open)?

What tools would I possibly need?

If anyone has any experience with this I’ll gladly hear it.

[keysman]

I don't know how far we can go here so .. the trunk will be the easiest lock to remove.. a standard tool box will have all the necessary tools

[Jryanruch]

Please look this up in the advanced forum or in the repair manual for the type of car you are working on.

[Shark500]

I don't have access to the advanced section of the forum

thus is my problem

[Shark500]

Also, I'm not opposed to destructive acts. I have no intention to try to weasel secret car picking tricks out of you.

You are in a junk yard and see a car.
The car is trashed. You want the locks.
What is the most efficent way of removing them.

Blow torch, chainsaw, hacksaw, wrench, hole saw?

[Tygart]

This is for the Advanced forums only.

[freakparade3]

Ask the people at the junkyard to help you. We can't help on the open forums, sorry.

[Jaakko]

With blow torch you set something on fire, so don't use that one I'd choose hole saw for metal and good old little bolt cutters, if there is linkage rods too thick and stuck. If the junk yard owner doesn't mind, you could try to use angle grinder or something like that, although that induces a fire risk again.

Best way to do it: Dismantle the lock like it is supposed to. Usually that means that you have to get into the car, open the door and start to unscrew everything from it, until you get the door panel off. Then you usually have some hard way access to the lock

Have fun, because I did

[Shark500]

Thanks for an actual responce Jaakko.

If it's a junker that you've been given full access to then getting inside is no problem (except for the possible living/dead animals that may be inside along with water logged seats). =)

To everyone else:

This is assuming that you've been given full permission to do what you will with a car. The idea of using this information to steal a car or for any ill will is quite insane. Why not just break the window.

My only care is that I don't want to hurt the lock.

[Tygart]

Shark500 we are not going to tell you how. Rules are Rules, SORRY!!

[Kaotik]

Many salvage yards now days will help you out with any part you need, either taking it off a shelf or out of a vehicle.

They have the tools and the know how to take care of any customers needs. So, if you can't figure out how to remove a retaining clip or unfasten a screw, ask someone their to help you.

I don't mean to be rude, but you will get more help from the salvage yard than you might get here.

[Jaakko]

Rules are Rules, SORRY!!

19. Discussion of topics deemed "advanced" are reserved for the advanced forums. These topics include bypass of high security locks, safe lock manipulation, advanced pick tools, and automotive bypass & picking discussion.

He is not bypassing it nor picking it, he is trying to take it off the door. Use your imagination: How f-ing stupid thief has to be in order to try to steal a car by blow torching, angle grinding or whatever else, when you could smash the window? Thiefs don't pick, thiefs break&enter mainly, because it is faster.

So, my opinion about the matter is what I've already told. If he has legitimate access to the locks in question, then use whatever necessary means are possible and approved by the junk yard owner.

I'd prefer the time taking operation of dismantling the whole door, so that you don't break any useful parts from the car. On the junk yard where I was gathering locks and stuff, the only rule was not to break anything unless necessary and if there were parts left after dismantling something, the parts had to be carried to the little warehouse to shelter.

[Jryanruch]

I do a lot of automotive work and the knowledge to remove a lock cylinder from a vehicle is sufficient knowledge to bypass/manipulate many vehicles open. A repair manual is your best bet for teaching yourself, or asking a friendly junkyard mechanic.

Not everything can be spoon fed to you electronically. Respect for easy rules like "Don't ask about automotive locks unless you're involved in the advance forum" shows that you respect greater rules like, "Don't bypass open vehicles that don't belong to you."

[Jryanruch]

I'm not accusing the OP of being a car-jacker.. I apologize if my post implied that.

[UWSDWF]

pull off the inside panel look at where the lock should be... pull of the retaining clip... the lock should just push out now