Glovebox stuck shut

[E30Schneider]

I’m going to tackle a stuck shut glovebox this weekend, the handle engaged the pins less and less and the last time I managed to get it open I slammed it shut and now it’s thrown a mardy, when pulling the handle it does not feel like anything is engaging and won’t open.

I have already removed the three bottom bolts and the two top screws (just reachable above the handle) to give a bit more movement in the box.

From what I have read it’s either get my arm in and squeeze the pins to open it or find the little lever above the handle itself.

Any advice welcome or maybe there is another thread on it?

I will try and post some pics as I tackle this one.

[E30Schneider]

Some images so far...

[Brianmoooore]

Very common problem. Happened to me once, a hundred and fifty miles from home, just filled with petrol, wallet in glovebox!.
You should have unscrewed the two nuts holding the hinge to the bulkhead, just behind the carpet edge, but what you've done will work if it lets the back of the box drop a little.
The catch has two sprung levers with hooks at the end that spring outwards into a rectangular hole in the catch plate. The mechanism that works one of these levers has broken, so one of the catches isn't retracting when the handle is lifted/
With the back of the box a little lower, the gap at the front should open up slightly as well, and you should be able to get a thin blade in the gap to push the offending catch lever back, while lifting the handle to operate the working one.

[E30Schneider]

Great thanks for that info, I will have a stab at it over the weekend.

[E30Schneider]

Had a good go at this today for a couple of hours with no joy. I managed to get the near side pin pushed in but not the off side.

It was not enough to open the box unfortunately.

I have a plan, but have had to order a tool that will arrive this week.

Will update once I have had another go at it.

[E30Schneider]

Still no joy, I can pop the near side catch but the drivers side seems stuck, going to keep trying but any advice appreciated!

[Brianmoooore]

Are you lifting the handle at the same time?

[E30Schneider]

Yes but the handle stopped “biting” so it is doing nothing, neither of the pins move when pulling the handle

[Grepot]

This was the first thing that went on my E30, think it had my antihistamines in it which wasn't ideal.

I think the assembly comes as the catch which closes the glovebox, the lever which opens it and then the lock barrel in the middle which is held in with a circlip.

With mine I managed to open it by just working the latch vigorously which ended up shattering it and I could then pick it apart piece by piece from the outside.

The replacement assembly which I got from a breakers yard had the beginnings of a crack which looked similar to how my original one broke. I'm assuming this is a common failure point so hopefully you should be able to just break yours apart if opening it non destructively isn't an option.

[Grepot]

This is how the catch piece looks without the latch present, if you do manage to remove the exterior latch you should be able to unclip it.

Screenshot_20210507-173336.png

Of course be careful with removing it, since I had my glovebox hanging open for a few days while I was waiting for the replacement part to get shipped.

I'd leave it closed or keep working at it from the inside until you have the replacement ready to be installed

[Grepot]

Just brainstorming, but another option might be to undo the circlip which holds the lock barrel in place from the inside, you should then be able to unscrew the latch from the front and take it apart that way.

I'll try and post some pics up of how it comes apart when I get home later if you need them.

[Brianmoooore]

The hinge is disconnected, so the only thing now holding the box in place is the catch. Can't you push the one latch in, then pull the box sideways to unhook the other without it moving? I can't think why one of the latches won't move.

[E30Schneider]

Thanks all, lots to try, I have unlatched the near side but there is no wiggle room at all, I am surprised it won’t open tbh. When I try to depress the off side latch it doesn’t seem to budge using quite some force.

I have had my head in the footwell (which is always nice) a good few times and my arm up in the gubbins but can’t get any way to release.

However I think I can get to Hex Nut 19 in the image which logically when released may enable the whole glovebox to slide forward and out,

0FB9A3A4-7CF2-4DF2-AC5B-15EA60AD1619.png

Anyone tried this amazing fete of contortionism?

[E30Schneider]

Just brainstorming, but another option might be to undo the circlip which holds the lock barrel in place from the inside, you should then be able to unscrew the latch from the front and take it apart that way.

I'll try and post some pics up of how it comes apart when I get home later if you need them.

Any pics will help cheers!

[Brianmoooore]

Just brainstorming, but another option might be to undo the circlip which holds the lock barrel in place from the inside, you should then be able to unscrew the latch from the front and take it apart that way.

I'll try and post some pics up of how it comes apart when I get home later if you need them.

Any pics will help cheers!

Can't see how you'd get access for this without doing damage.
Unscrew the two screws 17 in the diagram.

[E30Schneider]

Already removed screws 17, hence I think 19 might be the best bet.

[Brianmoooore]

You can't get at 19.

[E30Schneider]

I thought it was 19 but having my arm up an E30’s insides it could well have been part 274.

I think I will go back to the drawing board and try some the suggestions above.

Looks like breaking up the handle might be the option...

[Grepot]

Any pics will help cheers!

Apologies, misremembered how it goes together. The circlip is hidden between the two pieces rather than exposed on the inside.

The only thing that might work are these two screws in the inside, 13 in your diagram.

IMG_20210508_082437.jpg

Not sure how much access you have and how feasible this would be though. If you manage to undo these the front latch will fall off and let you work the lever with your hand

IMG_20210508_083211.jpg

[Grepot]

Just looking at the plate where the glovebox latches in, it seems to have a lip which extends up. Don't know if it would be possible to depress one of the arms and the rotate the glovebox in such a way that it is then held down by this lip, letting you work at the other one?

IMG_20210508_083557.jpg

Another method might be to move the latch normally and then try and shim the internal lever with something like a bank card? I didn't bring my wallet down with me to check but I managed to get the card on my keychain in, although it's a bit more flexible this could also be an avenue to explore.

IMG_20210508_084300.jpg

IMG_20210508_084613.jpg

[E30Schneider]

Thanks all, will have a go at all of these, I also think that as the catch is mostly plastic where the two latches are I could get a chisel in between the gap and take my aggression out on it, see if the whole thing falls apart.

Will update once I have had another stab at it.

[E30Schneider]

Any pics will help cheers!

Apologies, misremembered how it goes together. The circlip is hidden between the two pieces rather than exposed on the inside.

The only thing that might work are these two screws in the inside, 13 in your diagram.


IMG_20210508_082437.jpg


Not sure how much access you have and how feasible this would be though. If you manage to undo these the front latch will fall off and let you work the lever with your hand


IMG_20210508_083211.jpg

Thanks for the pics! Just looking again and can’t get to screws 13

[Brianmoooore]

In the above, you have excellent pics. of the catch, the lever that operates them, and the plate that they latch into.
I cannot understand what can be stopping the second latch from going in when pushed. The mechanism isn't exactly complicated.
It can be opened easily enough if you apply enough force, but the object of the eercise is to open it without damaging anything other than the part that is already broken.