What Are the Reasons Why the Key Is Difficult to Pull Out?
2 Answers
The reasons and solutions for a key being difficult to pull out are as follows: 1. Lock cylinder displacement: This issue is more common in wooden door lever locks, PVC door locks, and copper-plated security door lock cylinders. Due to insufficient hardness of the lock cylinder material, lack of lubrication, or excessive dust inside the lock cylinder, accelerated wear can occur, eventually causing the spring at the lock cylinder's tongue to fall off, leading directly to lock cylinder displacement. Solution: Carefully remove the key and promptly replace the worn lock cylinder with a high-quality security lock cylinder to successfully complete the repair of the lock cylinder displacement issue. 2. Lock cylinder wear: As newer locks have increasingly higher security requirements, once the security plates inside the lock cylinder wear out or dust accumulates, it can make the key difficult to pull out from the security door lock. Solution: Add specialized lubricant to the lock cylinder or apply a small amount of pencil shavings to the key, then quickly insert and remove the key from the lock several times. 3. Lack of lubrication in the lock cylinder. Solution: If adding lubricant or pencil shavings does not resolve the issue, cleaning the lock cylinder can also help achieve smooth insertion and removal of the door lock key.
It's quite common for the key to get stuck and not come out. Over the years as a mechanic, I've encountered many car owners complaining about this issue. There are several main reasons for this: First, the key may be worn or deformed after prolonged use—when the grooves are worn flat, it can get stuck in the lock cylinder. Second, dust or rust may have entered the lock cylinder, especially after washing the car without drying it properly or during humid rainy days. Additionally, the steering wheel's automatic lock can sometimes jam the key, requiring you to turn the steering wheel slightly while pulling the key. Another possibility is the aging of the ignition switch itself, where internal springs or small ball bearings may get stuck. If you encounter this situation, never force the key out, as it can easily break. First, try spraying some WD-40 lubricant into the keyhole and gently wiggle the key left and right. If that doesn't work, you'll need to seek a professional mechanic to disassemble and inspect it.