Glove box Troubles

[a.p.barron]

Ok, this is kind of a stupid question: My glove box decided it didn't want to close anymore. I figured the latch broke, and all I would have to do to fix this is replace the latch. Unfortunately that wasn't the case. I was told that I would have to replace the whole glove box, which costs in the neighborhood of $300 brand new. So my question is, how do you know if you have to replace the whole glove box vs. just the latch?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[McShanks]

If the dealer says you need to replace the whole glove box, then you only need to replace the latch. Dealers want your money... If the hinge works fine and the door opens and closes ok, but just won't latch, it's the latch. Try to get a large nail or similar thin metal rod and push it into the latch and see if it closes around it. Also check and make sure the piece the latch is supposed to clasp is intact. I see no reason to replace the whole entire box... Put some WD40 in the moving latch parts. Good Luck!

[TTkickedin]

LOL the whole glove box? hahah just replace the latch ,you should be ok. Check to see if the mounting hinge got bent somehow. Even if it did, you still wouldn't need to replace the whole glove box, just bang/pull it back into shape.


The only case I'd see that you'd need to replace the entire glovebox is if a: someone s*** in it, or b: someone blew a hole in it. Maybe I'm wrong, idk. Highly unlikely though.

[a.p.barron]

Thanks for your input guys. As I said before, it was a stupid question.

Anyway, I took that puppy apart with the help of a quick tutorial. Here's the link for those that might need it in the future: http://www.northwestnissans.com/board/s ... hp?t=30126

The box itself is perfectly fine, and I was hoping the latch itself would be repairable, but this is what I found:





Anyone know of a good place to order a replacement latch?

Thanks,
-Alex-

[McShanks]

Ah, I am glad you didn't listen to the stealership! It was not a stupid question, man. You were told something by a "professional" and you were smart enough to follow up on it. And now you are saving yourself a few hundred bucks... I will look for the latch and post a link...

[McShanks]

Here is one for $52 from conceptZ:
http://www.conceptzperformance.com/Car ... 249.71.166

This is the lowest price I could find in about 10-15 minutes of searching. And conceptz is reliable. Ebay has more colors, many used, more than $52, and you never know whatcha gon' get with ebay. Nissanautoparts charges over $63, so the one in the link sounds like a good deal. The handle is black, but I have no clue what color your interior is. If you want to know what yielded best search results: "300zx glove box latch." Some call it a lock and latch, some call it the latch assembly. Good luck, hope this helps!

[a.p.barron]

Thanks for the suggestion. If what I did doesn't work, I'll end up getting that.

For now, I ended up just getting some cable ties and used them to secure the spring in place, kind of like the last post in this thread: glove-box-latch-t301508.html. The only difference is that I wasn't able to drill a small hole since I don't have a drill, nor know someone with a drill. Here's what I ended up doing, and it worked...at least for now. :P Cost me $3, which was for a 30 pack of cable ties. I must admit though, it's not exactly the same as it used to be. Although, it is better than paying $50 for a new latch, or $300 for a new glove box.

[Ace2cool]

U used epoxy and reattached the black plastic piece. $.02.

[a.p.barron]

Hmmm, that would probably be a good idea. Any suggestions for a specific epoxy? Generally, I have a hard time finding stuff that will bond plastic together.

[Ace2cool]

I used two part JB Weld brand with like a 5 minute set time and some ridiculous tensile strength that was made for plastics. Bought it at either Auto Zone or Pep Boys. That Zip Tie setup would be a perfect way to hold it in place while it dries.

[ChiazarTT]

thank god i saw this post. lol fixed it even tho it doesnt work as well since the zip tie makes it a lot harder to close, but that plastic piece is way too easy to break off -_- even though mine was still attach broke while trying to get the clip to stay in its place

[ZX-Smoov]

I had a glove box that would not latch as well. I used a rubber band and it catches perfect!