So the little plastic part in the exterior locking mechanism that's designed to keep rubbish out of the lock decided to break today, so I can't insert the key. Can the mechanism be disassembled, and the plastic removed?

Also, my passenger side headlamp cover decided that it wanted to be a bird yesterday morning as I was doing 50mph, and I had to run out in the rain for 10 minutes to find it. So if anyone has any good recommendations for a replacement (I wouldn't mind to go CF), then let me know.

 

Get some masking tape and tape up the painted area around the lock. Get a pick set from Sear's or the local hardware store and a small set of needle-nose pliers. Carefully pick the broken plastic out to a position where you can grab it with the pliers.

 

Alright, thanks for the advice! Hopefully this will work out.