Help- Can't get the glove box open

[gregbr]

It's my 2 year old ground up restoration truck, the 70 GMC shortbed factory 402. During the resto, I put in a brand new glove box latch (non locking). Now pushing the latch button only hurts your thumb, button does not move. Is there a way to get it open?? Keep in mind the nice paint & the plastic glove box liner that came with the vintage air kit. Thanks

[Lee H]

Can you push in slightly on the door and try to push the botton, maybe take some pressure off the latch??

[sir_talk_alot]

Well, a bfh is a bit overkill, so use a can of pb blaster and a sfh.
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[LockDoc]

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See if you can turn the button clockwise with your fingers. Even though these are non locking latches, if the button is inserted into the housing incorrectly at the factory they will be in the locked position. Would the lock bolt retract when you pushed the button before you installed it?

LockDoc

[gregbr]

Thanks for the advice. Have tried pushing on the door & using spary lube, no help. Will try turning the button. Thanks again.

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by gregbr

Thanks for the advice. Have tried pushing on the door & using spary lube, no help. Will try turning the button. Thanks again.

If I remember correctly the button pushes on a slanted part of the spring loaded latch. I don't think you can turn the button though.

With the glove door open see if you can assist it by pushing the button at the same time you push on the latch piece. If the latch retracts but won't retract when using the button by itself you have a very rough or uneven slanted surface on the spring loaded latch or spring is too stiff. Try lubing it and working it up to see if it will loosen up.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

If I remember correctly the button pushes on a slanted part of the spring loaded latch. I don't think you can turn the button though.

With the glove door open see if you can assist it by pushing the button at the same time you push on the latch piece. If the latch retracts but won't retract when using the button by itself you have a very rough or uneven slanted surface on the spring loaded latch or spring is too stiff. Try lubing it and working it up to see if it will loosen up.

The button pushes a pivot piece or "cam". The cam then retracts the latch (lock bolt). There is a small spring loaded wafer located in the push button that normally keeps it from turning. There are two positions that the push button can be inserted into the housing, locked and unlocked. If it was put together wrong at the factory you would be able to push the lock bolt down and insert it into the glove box door and then shut the door but you would not be able to push the button to unlatch it.

The problem is, he can't get the glove box door open.

There is no easy way to get it open without some kind of damage to either the lock, door or liner...

LockDoc

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

The button pushes a pivot piece or "cam". The cam then retracts the latch (lock bolt). ...
The problem is, he can't get the glove box door open.

There is no easy way to get it open without some kind of damage to either the lock, door or liner... LockDoc

I remember it was a 50's car that my dad had. Memory is faded but I seem to recall a ramp of some sort. Pushing on it moved the slide back and the spring restored it. Maybe I dreamed it.

"can't get the glove box door open."

I think if that's the case, I would cut the liner out and with a small flash light and screwdriver remove the latch asm on the door or the dash. It's would be the least destructive and can be easily replaced.

[gregbr]

Will mess with it this weekend and see what happens. After I installed the new latch on the freshly painted door, it worked for about six months, then one day....nothing.

Thanks, Will update soon.

[CC69Rat]

Little stuff like that happens to me all the time... I prob would have already taken a crow bar to it.

[gregbr]

No luck with pushing, turning or sorta beating on the latch. Will dig into it more when it cools off outside.