Audi detachable towbar, no key

unhappys10

Hi,
Has anyone ever come across this problem?
Audi stamped detachable towbar on a 2004 a4, no key came with the car and the previous owner said he never saw one.

Towbar is manufactured by Alko.

To get replacement keys you need a code on the key, not very helpful.
Called a locksmith and he said impossible to get them off.

Anyone had luck getting a replacement key?

Worst case I can remove entire assembly but would be handy to have if I was able to attach if required.

zg3409

Can u post up a picture?

I suggest checking under spare wheel and all cubby holes in case key is there.

If you damage it open you will need to replace it with something. There is also a safety risk if lock dies not correctly in future.

If you pick it open you will need to pick it each time or replace lock part.

So the first thing is there a replacement part with new key available? A good locksmith should be able to pick it open and if they take it apart they might be able to make a key, but it won't be cheap.

Have you priced a replacement tow bar?
Can u get one from scrap yard?

unhappys10

zg3409 wrote: »

Can u post up a picture?

I suggest checking under spare wheel and all cubby holes in case key is there.

If you damage it open you will need to replace it with something. There is also a safety risk if lock dies not correctly in future.

If you pick it open you will need to pick it each time or replace lock part.

So the first thing is there a replacement part with new key available? A good locksmith should be able to pick it open and if they take it apart they might be able to make a key, but it won't be cheap.

Have you priced a replacement tow bar?
Can u get one from scrap yard?

Yeh I had a search and no sign.
Replacement parts are available but I wouldn't be that bothered. I don't think I've ever used a towbar, it's on the car and if it was possible to get a replacement key I'd keep it. But if its hassle I'll just remove altogether.

Was just seeing if anyone had a similar experience before.

kirving

Surely with that amount of detail on the sticker, and it being OEM, Alko could provide you with a new key.

unhappys10

Kevin Irving wrote: »

Surely with that amount of detail on the sticker, and it being OEM, Alko could provide you with a new key.

I've emailed them and waiting on a reply.
From searching online it says the code is on the key.
The sticker info is probably for the towbar assembly and no lock information but we'll see.

mickdw

unhappys10 wrote: »

I've emailed them and waiting on a reply.
From searching online it says the code is on the key.
The sticker info is probably for the towbar assembly and no lock information but we'll see.

Any lock must surely be capable of being replaced so surely the manufacturer will be able to sell a new lock assembly.

unhappys10

mickdw wrote: »

Any lock must surely be capable of being replaced so surely the manufacturer will be able to sell a new lock assembly.

I'm sure they can but it's getting the old one off is the problem.

Buffman

unhappys10 wrote: »

I don't think I've ever used a towbar, it's on the car and if it was possible to get a replacement key I'd keep it. But if its hassle I'll just remove altogether.

I don't see how a towbar could be a hassle? Save yourself time, money and actual hassle and just leave it.

TheW1zard

That could be picked

unhappys10

Buffman wrote: »

I don't see how a towbar could be a hassle? Save yourself time, money and actual hassle and just leave it.

As in hassle to get a key sorted. I don't like the look of it on the car so I'd rather it was gone. Seeing as it's detachable it would be nice to have it gone, but still available if ever needed.

unhappys10

TheW1zard wrote: »

That could be picked

Yeh it surely can. Locksmith I called today said "impossible" to get it off, was thinking he was only making an excuse as maybe he wasn't interested in doing the job.

mickdw

unhappys10 wrote: »

I'm sure they can but it's getting the old one off is the problem.

Can surely be drilled out or something. It should be obvious if you had the new part in your hand.

FDave

unhappys10 wrote: »

Yeh it surely can. Locksmith I called today said "impossible" to get it off, was thinking he was only making an excuse as maybe he wasn't interested in doing the job.

Looks like a wafer lock from the picture. Any decent locksmith should be able to pick it. Did he even look at the lock before declaring it impossible.

unhappys10

FDave wrote: »

Looks like a wafer lock from the picture. Any decent locksmith should be able to pick it. Did he even look at the lock before declaring it impossible.

No, this was a phonecall :pac:

ohnonotgmail

unhappys10 wrote: »

As in hassle to get a key sorted. I don't like the look of it on the car so I'd rather it was gone. Seeing as it's detachable it would be nice to have it gone, but still available if ever needed.

a tow bar can be very useful even if you never tow anything. somebody rear-ended me at speed twelve months ago and the tow bar absorbed most of the damage.

unhappys10

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

a tow bar can be very useful even if you never tow anything. somebody rear-ended me at speed twelve months ago and the tow bar absorbed most of the damage.

Yeh my dad said something similar.

9935452

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

a tow bar can be very useful even if you never tow anything. somebody rear-ended me at speed twelve months ago and the tow bar absorbed most of the damage.

It can go the other way too.
I got rearended a few years back. Same manner ,towbar took the brunt of it but the towbar is attached to the chassis which on close inspection was cracked on the mounting points for the drawbar.
For lighter tips it will protect the car bumper and handy when backing into parking spots

ohnonotgmail

9935452 wrote: »

It can go the other way too.
I got rearended a few years back. Same manner ,towbar took the brunt of it but the towbar is attached to the chassis which on close inspection was cracked on the mounting points for the drawbar.
For lighter tips it will protect the car bumper and handy when backing into parking spots

they do make an excellent rear parking sensor

unhappys10

I got sorted.
For anyone searching this in the future there is a code on the face of the lock, in my case a letter and 3 digits. It was obscured by dirt and barely visible but I was able to clean it and get the code.

Alko wanted €50 for a replacement but I was able to get 2 keys cut on ebay delivered for €15.

Once you get your code you Google the letter, so towbar key d code or r code etc and you will find what you need.