peyc2

Hello,

The spare tire lock key from my 1971 coupe has been lost, prior to my buying it.

Whats the reccommed procedure, use a sawzall to cut the bolt, replace the bolt, lock, etc?

Thank you,

revitup

There's plenty of threads on here regarding picking the lock. It's easy. Or just unbolt the bracket.

gbvette62

Unbolt the lock bolt u-backet, from the rear crossmember, and then take the whole lock bolt and lock to a locksmith. A locksmith will be able to make up a new key for the lock too.

ralphspears

Use a 9/16 socket and a long extension and unbolt the lock assembly

Peterbuilt

See post #9 here:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ck-remove.html

Iceaxe

The key to my spare tire was long gone when I bought my 1970. I read on-line how to pick the lock with a curved dental tool. The tool was a couple bucks on eBay. It took me about 10 minutes of screwing around with the tool to pop the lock. It's really easy and now I know what I'm doing I can pop the lock in under a minute.

If you can't find the instructions on-line message me with your email and I'll send you instructions with pictures. You simply reach around the hanger bolt with the dental tool and push in the plunger. Easy-pesy...

LenWoodruff

The tire lock key is not the same as the door key? Mine is a 78.

speedreed8

Red86Z51

As LenWoodruff pointed out, the oval GM key that locks/unlocks your glove box will unlock your spare tire lock...provided the following 2 things apply:

1) Your spare tire lock is original to the car

2) You actually HAVE the original round key

Have you tried using that key to unlock it? You don't say in your original post.

Dave

peyc2

The "oval" key is missing,

there is no glove box in a C-3, just the compartment behind the driver, which is hardly a glove box,

peyc2

and the door lock key is the ignition key on my 1971

Red86Z51

Thank you for the correction and I apologize for my phrasing, but I actually did mean the locking storage compartment behind the passenger seat....and you are right, the compartment behind the driver seat is "hardly a glove box", it is the battery compartment box...which is hardly a glove box.

In addition, there ARE glove boxes in C3's...all 1978-82's had locking glove boxes, in the dash, on the passenger side...and 1978-82's ARE C3's.

Since you don't have the oval key, then you are left to picking, drilling out, cutting, etc...the old lock off. Good advice given above.