Glove compartment won't open, any ideas?

[$ilv3rado]

Hello everyone,

I recently had to fix my glove compartment so that it would actually 'hook and latch' shut. I done this by simply adjusting the bar the the latching mechanism hooks to up further so that it could make enough contact to lock. This worked fine for a little while and now I just tried to open it with the handle and heard a piece of plastic snap and fall into the glove compartment. Obviously this isn't good. After a few more attempts to try to wiggle it open the actual handle to the glove box broke off. There are kind of important documents as you might expect in there and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to go about opening it without breaking anything else. When I do get it open then hopefully I can find a good latching mechanism and handle and at salvage yard or somewhere. Thanks.

[RC1488]

haha i dont think ive seen that question ever.

And unfortunately i dont have an answer for you as im not sure what exactly broke. May be worth just getting an entirely new box from a junkyard and prying your original open

[$ilv3rado]

Originally Posted by RC1488

haha i dont think ive seen that question ever.

And unfortunately i dont have an answer for you as im not sure what exactly broke. May be worth just getting an entirely new box from a junkyard and prying your original open

Yeah, I searched the form before I started this thread and I wasn't surprised by the lack of results. lol

I've got a picture here of the glove box handle where you'll notice the missing broken piece. It's like the handle wasn't even trying to lift the latch enough to unhook it from the bar inside the box. Like I said though, it was opening and shutting just fine for a while...guess the little plastic piece that you can see missing here finally gave out. If I could just get the door open the I should be able to replace the handle and latching mechanism without a problem...once I find one. It's getting the door open without breaking anything else that's the problem...

[$ilv3rado]

Never mind. Got it open with a ten dollar bill...

[colt72108]

a ten dollar bill?? howd u pul l that off?
i was going to say break it off with a sledgehammer or a M150...lol

[$ilv3rado]

Originally Posted by colt72108

a ten dollar bill?? howd u pul l that off?
i was going to say break it off with a sledgehammer or a M150...lol

Well since I wasn't sure how the latching mechanism worked and where I would need to go with a paper clip to pull up on little plastic lift to release it, I shamefully took it to an auto body shop and they got it open within 2 minutes. lol I was a little shocked that they charged me as much as they did since it didn't take long at all to open...guess that was the easiest 10 bucks they've ever made. =/ At least now I know how to open it with a paper clip if that ever happens again. lol

Anyway, I was able to find the broken pieces and super glue them back together. So far so good (knock on wood)...just gonna have to remember to be gentle with it from now on.

[colt72108]

haha, wow. they actuallycharged u to open it? that kinda sux. i wouldnt charge for something that small