Glove box is stuck closed...what to do?

[Eric Coffey]

Originally posted by bigchillcar
other problem is that i've got dealer-added a/c which i'd have to drop the ducting for to even get to the bottom of the cardboard box itself.

Remove the right side knee bar, then unscrew the glovebox door hinge underneath. Should only need a philips-head screwdriver for entire job.

[bigchillcar]

don't have the car handy at the moment (family garage across town)..are you sure this works for a '74, eric?

[jkarolyi]

Boy, this thread's an oldie!

The method I posted only works for the glove boxes with the center latch. After they moved the latch to the left side of the glove box door it won't work anymore obviously. I think the latch moved to the left for 1974-on.

And yes, it pays to fly Delta!

[Eric Coffey]

Originally posted by bigchillcar
don't have the car handy at the moment (family garage across town)..are you sure this works for a '74, eric?

AFAIK, the glovebox door design remained unchanged from `74 to `89.

[bigchillcar]

not sure what's meant by 'right side knee bar', but will definitely check! thanks again, eric.

[Evans, Marv]

I've got news for those of you who think you can get the neighborhood lock****h to rekey the glove box lock. I tried to get a key made for mine, since I didn't have one for it. Took the lock (removed it from the door) to one of the best locksmiths in the area. He couldn't get/make a key to fit. He had to send it to a guy he knew who finally got one made. I forget exactly what the problem was. But those guys worked a bunch of hours on it. I'm glad they didn't charge for all of their time.

[bigchillcar]

crap, marv...no confidence that a locksmith could just get mine open without destroying anything?? help!!!

[Eric Coffey]

Originally posted by bigchillcar
not sure what's meant by 'right side knee bar', but will definitely check! thanks again, eric.

It's the trim piece just below the glovebox and to the right of the ashtray (see #20 in below pic). There should be a few philips-head screws (underneath/behind) holding it on or the early versions may have integrated studs with cap nuts holding them on from behind. In either case, You may have to contort yourself a bit in the passenger footwell (with a light) to see up under there. After the kneebar trim is off, it will expose the glovebox door hinge, which should have a couple philips head screws holding it on.

[bigchillcar]

ahh, eric..that's what you meant. the problem is that i have dealer-installed a/c underneath that. i mean, i can remove all of this stuff..and i just may have to..i was just hoping to avoid an extended amount of time on my back.. thank you for posting the pet diagram!
ryan

[moneymanager]

Having inherited bigchillcar's 74, with glove box locked, here's what I did. Went under the dash and cut the metal band holding the glovebox in. Tired pair of scissors will do it. Then pull the glove box itself down and out. Now, reach up inside, and release the lock latch. Remove the lock and get it rekeyed, or replace it. Then patch your cut metal band with a short strip of easy to work with aluminum. Use rivets or small nuts and bolts to put it back together. About 1/2 hour, maybe $.50 to repair.

[bigchillcar]

lol...hey, jim..don't forget to mention the hours of removing all that a/c ducting first!! my baaaaaaaby! waaaaah! ahem..still waiting on pics (i think..gulp).
ryan

[moneymanager]

Makes it easier when you aren't trying to preserve the air conditioning...pulling all that fiberboard out is about a 5 minute job! But yest, forgot that part.

[bigchillcar]

lol...5 minutes, jim? didja use a sawzall..? be tender with my baby!

[moneymanager]

No sawzall for me...just a hammer and chisel.
Actually you just loosen four bolts and out it comes.

[bigchillcar]

jim, have you done that motor swap yet? anything new?