Reinstalling glove box, strap won’t fit properly

[dictoresno]

I’m sure there must be an easy way to fix this. My car (86 911) had the back of the glove box cut out years ago to accommodate a CD changer and other radio wiring that was mounted in the glove box. The metal strap is still spot welded to the top underneath the dash and has the original screw. I went online and purchased the proper used glove box insert and mounted it properly and then stretched the metal strap over the box to try to connect it to the bottom of the glove box frame, but it’s coming up about 2 inches short. I imagine it has to do with the way the metal strap is shaped or bent, losing some length.

Is this common when reinstalling the glove box inserts on these cars where you need to reshape the metal strap in order to get it to stretch to the glove box frame so I could screw in the set screw under the lid? Any tricks to this? I temporarily drilled a small hole in the bottom of the glove box to hook the strap in with a small bolt just to hold it in place for now, but I would like to have it properly strapped in tight the way it was designed.






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[EC900]

Yes, needs to be reshaped so it reaches center threaded tightening cam/lug.

If I recall correctly….
I had to bend the strap as close as possible to the contour of the liner so it would reach all around, then if necessary - you may need to pull a little slack out of the end of the strap that’s folded over within the threaded cam (or buckle of sorts) that draws the band taut, provided you’re using the original center screw which is about 1” or so.
I think the strap is quite flexible but be careful anyway not to bend it so often while reshaping so not to weaken it and snapping it.

In your photo, with the temp fix, I don’t see the center screw, so obviously the threaded cam/buckle needs to be closer and that’s done by undoing the cam to lengthen the strap.

If this doesn’t make sense, post a photo of the underside of your glove box liner and I’ll mark up and try to explain further.

[dictoresno]

It totally made sense. And yea, I hung the new (used) glove box temporarily without securing it with the screw. I’ll take the insert back out and reshape it better. It’s been pushed out of the way for years and lost its original curve. Without the box in there, it reaches just fine. I’ll reshape and report back. Just wanted to make sure that’s a common occurrence and I wasn’t missing something else.


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[dictoresno]

This is how short it came up and the little bolt I had to secure it with until I can get back under there to shape it better.




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[EC900]

Im not seeing any slack left on the end of your strap. Was that old box not as deep as the replacement? Maybe when they cut out the back of the box, they cut the end off the strap too…???
If the old box is the same depth as the replacement, there shouldn’t be any reason why the strap shouldn’t fit around the box, so long as the box is snug against the upper dash frame. Just try to pre-shape the band strap making sure it’s centered in position.

Only way is a much longer screw or DYI a piece of scrap 3/4” steel banding to lengthen it using the original lug. Note the pic and see how the slack end is folded around and thru the lug.

A new OEM strap is $84 at Pelican.

[dictoresno]

The original strap has a fold at the end where the screw is and it looks unmolested. I don’t think it was modified in anyway. I’ll try again to pre shape it and I’m sure I can get some more length from it.


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[fallingat120mph]

I did two of these a few months ago. What I remember is it was short initially and I had to man handle the glove compartment a bit.

Also, if I remember correctly, make sure the channels where the "glove box" fit into there are no washers or screws hindering it.

All I know is I got a bit frustrated and gracefully used a little force and the glove box seemed to lock in better and then the threads magically lined up.

I also had the interior out and leverage made things a lot easier.

Might not help much but letting you know you are not alone.


Erik

[fallingat120mph]

Originally Posted by EC900

Yes, needs to be reshaped so it reaches center threaded tightening cam/lug.

If I recall correctly….
I had to bend the strap as close as possible to the contour of the liner so it would reach all around, then if necessary - you may need to pull a little slack out of the end of the strap that’s folded over within the threaded cam (or buckle of sorts) that draws the band taut, provided you’re using the original center screw which is about 1” or so.
I think the strap is quite flexible but be careful anyway not to bend it so often while reshaping so not to weaken it and snapping it.

In your photo, with the temp fix, I don’t see the center screw, so obviously the threaded cam/buckle needs to be closer and that’s done by undoing the cam to lengthen the strap.

If this doesn’t make sense, post a photo of the underside of your glove box liner and I’ll mark up and try to explain further.

Pretty sure a bit of "reshaping" a couple different ways also helped....



Keep us posted!


Erik

[dictoresno]

So I stand corrected. The strap was indeed cut to accommodate the hacked up glove box that was installed years ago.

It’s a few inches short now. So I’m gonna go to the store and see if I can find a longer screw to make up for the length of strap that was cut off, so long as I can match the thread pitch.


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[fallingat120mph]

Originally Posted by dictoresno

So I stand corrected. The strap was indeed cut to accommodate the hacked up glove box that was installed years ago.

It’s a few inches short now. So I’m gonna go to the store and see if I can find a longer screw to make up for the length of strap that was cut off, so long as I can match the thread pitch.


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Well, that is a bummer. Hopefully you find a solution.

Erik

[dictoresno]

So I got it fixed today. I went to Lowe’s and grabbed some M5 x 50, 0.8mm pitch screws. They are considerably longer than the stock screw. I was literally like only a few millimeters short. So I was able to unbend the end of the coupler and get another half an inch. Then folded the strap back over to lock it in place and screwed the screw in. Worked perfectly.





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[EC900]

@dictoresno,
If you can’t get longer screw or not feasible…
three options:
• maybe source some pallet banding with dumpster dive at Home Depot etc.
• I have a 2 ft length of stainless 3/4” banding (same width size as oem) I scrounged from the city sign division, it’s the band they use to attach signage to light poles. Maybe a trip down to your local agency can accommodate.
• buy new $85 band

Lastly if you can’t find any send me a PM.

[dictoresno]

Originally Posted by EC900

@dictoresno,
If you can’t get longer screw or not feasible…
three options:
• maybe source some pallet banding with dumpster dive at Home Depot etc.
• I have a 2 ft length of stainless 3/4” banding (same width size as oem) I scrounged from the city sign division, it’s the band they use to attach signage to light poles. Maybe a trip down to your local agency can accommodate.
• buy new $85 band

Lastly if you can’t find any send me a PM.

Thanks, but I was able to fix it with a longer screw I found at Lowe’s. Posted above with pics.


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[fallingat120mph]

Originally Posted by dictoresno

So I got it fixed today. I went to Lowe’s and grabbed some M5 x 50, 0.8mm pitch screws. They are considerably longer than the stock screw. I was literally like only a few millimeters short. So I was able to unbend the end of the coupler and get another half an inch. Then folded the strap back over to lock it in place and screwed the screw in. Worked perfectly.





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Originally Posted by EC900

@dictoresno,
If you can’t get longer screw or not feasible…
three options:
• maybe source some pallet banding with dumpster dive at Home Depot etc.
• I have a 2 ft length of stainless 3/4” banding (same width size as oem) I scrounged from the city sign division, it’s the band they use to attach signage to light poles. Maybe a trip down to your local agency can accommodate.
• buy new $85 band

Lastly if you can’t find any send me a PM.

Both good posts...and a nice way to end a thread. For those of us who have stripped out interiors from more than a few 911's this is good info.



Erik