Glove box latch

[natsoundup]

I think my glove box latch broke..... when I pull up on it... the glove box won't open....

Any thoughts on this? It's not critical in my every day driving...but I do have a lot of service records in there...

90Q 148k miles

[DAEDALUS]

Very common problem. The stupid little plastic lever breaks off everytime. Very difficult to fix without destroying the 2 lower hinges, as the latch on top is almost bulletproof. My advice is to find a replacement glove box first from a wrecking yard, and then go in and remove the hinge pins below, with your head on the floor, and your feet on the passenger headrest. Once you get it out you will need to swap the lock mechanism and reinstall the box. 4 screws and the little retaining strings. What color glove box do you need?

[natsoundup]

I have a grey glove box.

Not the answer I wanted to hear.... oh well

[paintwgn]

Same thing happened to me 3 months ago. Went to a dealer for ideas and they said to force it open. No way. Here is the way I fixed it. Take a hacksaw blade, slip it thru the crack at the top of the glove compartment and carefully cut the metal U-shaped catch. I used crazy glue to repair the plastic part but you can easily buy the part. The cost of the U-shaped metal catch is just a few dollars at the dealer. Squirt a little WD-40 on the old release mechanism.

[natsoundup]

paintwagn..... awesome idea.....

I couldn't bring myself to force it open...... a lesson learned from my dad...

never force anything......

[paintwgn]

Forgot to mention that after you get it open, you should remove the entire glove box assembly before you remove the plastic lock mechanism. The reason they fail is because the lubrication dries up and too much force is then required move the sliding part. If you buy a new part, make sure its well lubricated. If you repair the old part (crazy glue worked great)-lubricate to make sure the metal latch moves easily.

[Q451990]

I assume you tried wiggling the key in the lock to see if that helps something? I've heard of hinges, but not the latch! The big problem is stressing the already weak hinges - at least if it's the 1990 glove box. If it was replaced the hinges are probably white rather than that crumbly black material they used (same stuff for the seat finisher panels).

Heath

[natsoundup]

heath...its definely the latch.... I have probably opened the glove box less than 100 times in the 9 plus years I have owned the car...

Still planning to come to Columbia sometime after football season.....