I've called all the locksmiths in the county I live in.. none will cut the steel sidewinder keys for my 89 760.

I talked to McKeveitt Volvo who recommend Rex Keys & Security in Berkeley. Bunch of moron scammers (and no they don't have the steel blanks).

I need a copy of a key made. I'm explicitly looking for a steel blank, and a locksmith who can do a good job with it (i.e. no rough edges to fuck up the lock cylinders). No brass, no aluminum, no plastic, no B.S.

Suggestions?

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alex

Lighten up.

Schenk Locksmith
60 N. Winchester
Santa Clara
408-241-0990

Dear Alex,

Good p.m. You should be able to get the key code from a dealer. With that code, e.g., 1C457, any locksmith in the US - who has the blanks - can cut the key. Locksmiths avoid steel blanks, because they're harder on the key cutting machines.

A steel key also accelerates wear on lock tumblers, as compared with a brass key (brass is simply softer than steel). Thus, while the brass key will wear out faster than will a steel key - and so need to be replaced sooner - a new key costs a lot less than replacing a worn-out ignition cylinder.

I had brass keys made, so as to be able to keep the steel key as a master, in case I ever needed a replacement (and misplaced the key code).

The Ilco key blank designator for a key that will work in a 940 (which may be quite different from a 740) is "X80 VL6".

Hope some of this is useful.

Yours faithfully,

spook

Good p.m. You should be able to get the key code from a dealer. With that code, e.g., 1C457, any locksmith in the US - who has the blanks - can cut the key. Locksmiths avoid steel blanks, because they're harder on the key cutting machines.

I realize that steel is harder both on the machines and the locks. However the Volvo high security locks are pretty sturdy (well those with the stamped tumblers). Given that Volvo switched from brass to steel keys, I suppose there must be a good reason (the brass keys wear real quick). If the steel keys provided a significant increase in problems with the locks, I can't imagine Volov would still be selling them.

Yes, the lock cylinders I have are the ones with the cast tumblers (i.e. the cheapie high security locks). However, this is a risk I would rather take. My car is 15 years old and the owners have managed to wear out four or five brass keys (all of which I have). I'm not too impressed.

The way I see it, using steel will provide resistance to stuff like snapping off in the lock.

If you're interested in downloading a 6mb PDF, I can point you at some interesting information from Reed's Security Reporter regarding the "high security" locks that Volvo used.

Unfortunately I did write down the VIN for the new locks, but I seem to have lost it. Ah if only there were a key decoder like there is for the VW high security keys.

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alex