Stinkin PITA glove box latch

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  • graphikg
    Banned
    • Jan 2008
    • 1614

    #1

    Stinkin PITA glove box latch

    I have searched but I need to find the best way to handle this. My glove box is stuck shut and wont open, and the latch has broken. I guess this makes time for a dash overhaul huh? At this point, I am willing to just rip thru the glove box and get another dash and glove box. But how do you open this damn thing?
  • Jean
    Moderator
    • Aug 2006
    • 18228

    #2
    Try and PUSH UP on the glove box with your knees and open it, if it doesn't work you can try and get the 3 REAR nuts for it's flange. Last resort is to just brake the latch into pieces with a screwdriver/hammer from the front, you can do it w/o damaging the glovebox itself.
    Mtech1 v8 build thread - https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...d.php?t=413205



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    • PeaveyBassist
      No R3VLimiter
      • Sep 2004
      • 3511

      #3
      Its a pain...BUT... take the 3 nuts off the hinge in the back of it that attach to the firewall. Then youll need a flashlight and a phillips screwdriver. You will have to lay down in the floorboard and pull the glovebox down as far as possible so you can get your head up in there along with a flashlight and screwdriver. Then unscrew the 2 screws that hold the latch on the glovebox. Either that, or if you can, reach your arm up in there as far as possible without sticking your head back there and see if you can undo the latch that way. Hopefully that makes sense... If that doesnt work, Take a hammer and blow the glovebox apart. THEN undo the 2 phillips screws and buy a new glovebox/latch!
      RIP e30 (brilliantrot '91 325i) 11/17/06 Byebye: 8/21/07
      Welcome e30 (brilliantrot '90 325is) 12/23/06
      DaveCN = Old Man
      My signature picture was taken by ME! Not by anyone else!



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      • thedeal
        Mod Crazy
        • Mar 2009
        • 643

        #4
        Same thing happened to me. It took some finagling but i was eventually able to pry it open with a special lever and working the key in the handle just right. I was able to safely pry it open w/o damaging the glove box or the dash. Patience will persevere.



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        • graphikg
          Banned
          • Jan 2008
          • 1614

          #5
          Hopefully this happens only once every 21 years.

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          • mitch500
            E30 Enthusiast
            • Jan 2006
            • 1092

            #6
            1.unscrew 3 screws in the back by the fire wall
            2.pull down quite hard
            3. start pulling down on the front of the box by the latch.
            4. you will see 2 other screws hiding in the crack.
            5. keep pulling and bending the mettle tab the latch clips into..
            6. once you see a little of the latch teeth that lock your box closed pinch them in.!
            7. finished, done it about 4 times now
            1988 e30 alpine white vert 5speed
            1987 e30 325 eta
            1983 e28 533
            2001 x5 4.4l
            1997 e36 M3 Alpine white 5speed
            1991 Jeep XJ I6 4.0

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            • learningcurve86
              Mod Crazy
              • May 2008
              • 715

              #7
              I had to do this over the summer.. not fun to go in through the back, but once you get in it, its not too bad. better than some e30 jobs...
              Greg

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              • Drewdown
                Wrencher
                • May 2010
                • 225

                #8
                Sorry to bump an old thread, but I just had this happen.

                So if the latch is stuck then that means its garbage? No chance of a rebuild?

                Comment

                • delatlanta1281
                  Dart Master
                  • Mar 2006
                  • 10317

                  #9
                  Not really, you can split the latch in half once you get it off. The backs are usually the ones to go. Just get a good back and put the mechanism back together on the glove box.
                  Yours truly,
                  Rich
                  sigpic
                  Originally posted by Rigmaster
                  you kids get off my lawn.....

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                  • Drewdown
                    Wrencher
                    • May 2010
                    • 225

                    #10
                    Originally posted by delatlanta1281
                    Not really, you can split the latch in half once you get it off. The backs are usually the ones to go. Just get a good back and put the mechanism back together on the glove box.
                    damn, and I just replaced the latch last year when I got the car. When I got it there was no glovebox latch... probably for this exact reason.

                    How often do these things break

                    Comment

                    • MoparJ
                      Wrencher
                      • May 2007
                      • 258

                      #11
                      Mine used to get stuck all the time. I just opened the passenger door and slapped the shit out of the side of the glove box while pulling on the latch, and it opened every time.

                      Annoying, but it worked until I finally found another latch.
                      Jason

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                      • noE30
                        R3VLimited
                        • Jun 2008
                        • 2260

                        #12
                        Ive broken 3 latches, I hate those fuckers. It's actually currently broke now that I think about it.

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                        "All he needed was a wheel in his hand and four on the road"

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                        • CR325IS
                          E30 Addict
                          • Mar 2010
                          • 514

                          #13
                          I need to do this bc I just bought a new car (88ix) and for all I know there could be gold inside the glovebox. It is broken and I haven't tried breaking into it yet but need to tomorrow. Thanks I'll let you know ifs need any other assistance.
                          sigpic

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                          • CR325IS
                            E30 Addict
                            • Mar 2010
                            • 514

                            #14
                            Originally posted by graphikg
                            Hopefully this happens only once every 21 years.
                            love this lmao

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