FIX: Glove Box Latch Lever Return Spring with a ,68-79 VW part

[DRACO A5OG]

So my 32 year old glove box lock finally gave up.

It no longer will spring back to latch to the hole to keep it closed unless I manually turn the latch.

A year ago, I tried to fix the broken lock lever return spring by placing a new catch point. Worked well but the tensile strength weakened over time and finally broke leaving no room to relocate the catch point.

Looking for a replacement LEVER RETURN SPRING was almost impossible due to the fact no lists the size (12.0MM OD) Hardware stores and even old school lock smiths just do not have the proper thickness or OD.

I started to contemplate just buying a new lock and swapping out the cylinder to keep the same key. $145??? Holy Fuch Batman

Then I happen to see the '68-79 VW lock, made by HELLA. It was identical to our 911 lock.

$13.50 for a knock off was cheap enough for me to take a chance.

BRAND NEW VW BUG BUS GHIA SUPER BEETLE PUSH BUTTON GLOVE BOX LATCH NON LOCKING | eBay

Received:





Happy to say the inner mechanism was the same. I chose the keyless one as I did not need the lockable one, only the two spings.

Voila, Fixed

[cabmandone]

Timely! I have been complaining about my glove box latch not working for a while now. Now I'm gonna have to dig into it.

[DRACO A5OG]

Cool.

Just visualize the Lever Return Spring, you want it to compress as you turn right and spring back quickly. If you position it to unwind, the tension will not be enough.

Play with the position before knocking in the locking pin. I used a small needle nose to grab the pin. Be prepared the top latch spring will shoot out, go slow and in a clear place to search for parts if it springs apart on you :-)

Break a leg Brother!

[HarryD]

Why not just install the VW lock assembly for everyday use and keep the original Porsche lock for the Concours Judges?

[DRACO A5OG]

Knob end is too short.