Fixing a broken car key ring is possible, and you can decide to do it yourself or go the professional way. So, if you’re a DIYer, you need to create time, gather some appropriate materials and tools; don’t worry about the knowledge. This article provides you with essential skills to help you correctly repair your damaged car key ring.
The key ring is very significant in holding the keys together and the remoter or critical fob. Today we will go through a complete guide, tips, and tricks on how you can successfully do so.
Ultimate guide on fixing the broken car key ring
Sometimes the attachment on your remote may break, separating the small from the keys. Buying a new remote entry can be a bit expensive based on the quality. For this reason, it’s advisable to try some tricks and tips to fix the issue. Use the following guide to do it yourself:
Step 1: Open the key fob
Since the keyring is attached from inside, you should try and access its roots. If it’s for plastics, opening the fob is a must to figure where and how you can attach the new ring. To open the fob, use a blade screwdriver on the slot and open it from the sides.
Step 2: Finding a suitable material for the key ring
After figuring how the remote looks internally, the next thing will be to search for an appropriate replacement. Some of the reserves are found in your local hardware stores. Look for a suitable fit from the hardware, ensuring it can work for your situation.
Step 3: Test and Test the position
This step involves look and figure, then feel. You need to test various places until you get one of your desires. Additionally, you may decide to imagine how the ring will look when placed in a particular location. Doing so is necessary to ensure the ring not only fits but also suits the place.
Step 4: Mark where to attach the material (hog out place)
You will be required to use a Xacto knife to mark the clamps’ edges under this step. To connect your new car key ring involves chopping off some plastics to pave the way.
Step 5: Use a Dremel tool
It’s now time to start hogging out some materials with the aid of a Dremel tool if available. Ensure also you have a cutting attachment for plastic removal. Design the melted plastic part until you get the correct or desired shape.
If you don’t have a Dremel tool, use a hot piece of metal and place it on the part to be hogged out. After doing so, ensure the area is clean before fitting the clamp.
You should also apply some weather-proof seal on the X-joint of the clamp. Ensure the joint doesn’t hinder the critical fob from closing comfortably; use a Xato knife to cut it off.
Step 6: Trim the Clamp (Car keyring)
Again, use the Dremel tool, but with a bit of a robust cutting wheel to reduce the elongated clamp “legs.” What you need is to secure the material on the vice and trim the ‘legs.’
Step 7: Fitting the New Key ring
This step is simple because you have already trimmed the ‘legs,’ and their specific places are okay. You need to test fit the key attachment, ensuring it works properly. Again, you should ensure it doesn’t compromise the weather seal. The fob should be able to close completely to prevent water from getting and affecting the internal parts.
Step 8: Gluing
Glueing is necessary to ensure the clamp (key attachment) is firmly held into the place. Here the best option is to blend the epoxy for not less than five minutes. Use equal samples of the hardener and the epoxy resin.
More so, you can either choose to use a cereal box or Popsicle stick for mixing them. You should mix them thoroughly before coating the key legs attachment with the mixture. The next thing will be to place the necessary attachment on the fob and apply more epoxy.
It would help if you also were careful not to apply the epoxy into the weather seal path. Don’t hurry the process; give it sometimes to set completely. Giving it sometimes is helpful to allow the glue to dry. Early reassembling can make the critical fog permanently closed. You won’t open it again.
Separating the necessary attachment from the keyfob will be a massacre. It would help if you were patient; wait until the glueing process is successful before moving to the next one. The epoxy gets dry on its own and doesn’t need an accelerator. Just finish coating and fitting, then secure the workpiece.
Step 9: Reassembling
After you are through and comfortable with your new car key ring, nothing has left other than reassembling the parts to their specific positions. Again, if the epoxy is still sticky, give it some more time to dry. You can even be patient for about an hour before reassembling the components.
If you’re always busy, you can decide to do it in the evening and wait overnight. After a long wait or after the epoxy is cured, go on and resemble the parts, ensure everything is in its place. Close the key fob and feel the new look of your new car key ring.
Step 10: Time to enjoy
There’s nothing much than testing and getting familiar with your car key ring’s new look under this step. You also need to ensure that the buttons are functional (LOCK & UNLOCK). If they are not operating, try to check the internal remote battery and the terminal.
Or, the buttons might be stuck somewhere with glue if attached accidentally. This way is impressive compared to other cheap methods like using plastic or small pieces of wires. They can easily break again; this way looks relatively permanent.
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Frequently asked questions:
- Is it possible to fix the broken key fob?
Yes, you can either repair (temporal way) or replace (permanent solution). Alternatively, you can decide to have your remote professionally checked or examined.
Sometimes essential might be requesting for some adjustments or reprogramming. Even though you can fix a broken key fob, it’s advisable to replace it permanently.
- Can I glue my key back together?
Yes, but only do so when you are waiting for a replacement. Glue the key together and use It temporarily.
- Can I fix my snapped car key?
If your car key is broken and needs them to be repaired, it’s possible. Sometimes these keys may be stuck in the ignition/lock of your vehicle. Look for qualified experts to improve or make a replacement car key. There are great locksmiths out there that you need to consider their art. Forget about the so-called experts, yet their work shoddy.
Look for somebody that can make a suitable duplicate of our car key.
Final words
Modern car keys are associated with ring damages, but again this is based on the material used. If the ring is made from a strong material, it can serve you for more years and vice versa. This issue should not stress you anymore; do it yourself or have it done by a specialist.