Glovebox won't open

[JavaBrewer]

I did a 'glovebox - glove box' search but nothing related came up so hopefully someone here can suggest how I should approach this problem.

Got into my car yesterday after work and went to retrieve my shades from the glovebox. The locking knob turns but is no longer disengaging the lock. To clarify - the door was not actually 'locked' - just closed. Worked fine in the morning when I stowed the shades and stereo face plate. I tried pushing and pulling in different directions, using the lock key, and even resorted to a few punches but could not get the latch to disengage. I pulled on it pretty good but no luck having it pop open (magnet suggestion from another thread)

So what's the best course of action now? I want to avoid damaging the door if at all possible. Can I remove the locking knob without getting the door open? I'm going to check my copy of 101 Projects tonight but thought I would post here too.

Thanks folks.

[Eric Coffey]

Sounds like the locking nut on the back of the knob has come loose, allowing the whole unit to spin (without engaging the latch). Not sure there is any quick way to get the door open at that point. You might just have to remove the knee pad, and unscrew the glove box hinges. Or if you can get the metal glove box strap off (and remove the glove "box"), you can get at the door from behind. Good luck!

[buttjoint]

I think I read a earlier post that said that all you have to is pull on it real hard and it will open!

[david914]

You might try going into the trunk with a long screwdriver and depressing the lock "cam" from there. Once you have the door open, you should be able to ascertain the problem.

[JavaBrewer]

I'm looking for some pictures of a 80's Carrera (if that makes a dif) glovebox door that's open - particularly the locking mechanism and the mounting hinges. I'd like to address the door without resorting to destruction. If anyone has time this week I'd appreciate a picture or two. Thanks!

[JavaBrewer]

I followed advise to remove the passenger side knee pad to access the glove box door hinge bolts. Well, my 86 must be different, or the original buyer checked off the "Brinks glovebox" on the option list, because the hinge/door/box mounting screws on mine were impossible to access.

After 45 minutes carefully removing the knee pad (8MM X 2) (also need to disconnect and remove the passenger air vent) I found the screws mounting the door hinge were up high and tight to the glove box storage. You can get a socket on the nuts but they will turn the whole assembly unless you have a special tool to access the screw head (hex) at an angle not available to a standard hex wrench. The access opening is less than 1/2 inch and at a 90 angle from below. Also, there are two additional capped screws that are nearly impossible to access with standard tools - at least mine - that are also wedged into the bottom of the box storage. I struggled with this for 2 hours and finally gave up. Hell I'm no mechanic but changing the brake pads on this car was a walk in the park next to getting the glove box open.

Note: I did see the barrel lock nut turning loose in the gap between the door and dash (once the pad was off) but could not get my long screw driver up there in a position to hold or tighten it.

[techguy]

Ran into identical problem on my 72, took 5 mins to break into it. I used a thin strip of sheet metal about 4" long and 1" wide to get behind the plastic latch inside the door lock mechanism and release it. Now that the unit is open and out how do I repair it? It appears that a small piece of metal attached to the turning mechanism has broken so the plastic latch no longer retracts.

HELP!

[techguy]

Here is the piece that breaks, I guess you have to order the whole part...from where????

[TerryH]

I've been planning on velcroing my glove box door this weekend. To buy the locking mechanism here is ~$130 delivered.

I don't plan to put anything in there that costs that much.