DIY: your glovebox wont open??

lowkey_e46 · 11-09-2009, 08:15 PM

ok im not sure how many people have this problem, or it might just be my car but here it is.

this is for: if your glove box wont open when you pull on the latch.

what you need:
jb cold weld - $7
philips screw driver
small flat head
file / sandpaper

see how the left side is worn out? thats why it wont open when you pull on the latch.

1

go under the glove box and take out those screws. (theres 2 sides. so 4 screws in total.)

2 this step you kinda just have to play with it. for the glovebox to drop. keep trying the latch and shake the glove box around and try to get it off the metal bar on the bottom. (or you can try to push in the metal tabs that clicks the glovebox in. use 2 flat heads and push each side.)

3

unscrew those screws

4

those 2 small clips hold in the lock cylinder. pry them gently and push out the cylinder.

5

thats what the worn out edge that pushes the metal latch looks like. (left side)

mix some jb weld and apply it on the worn out side and a little bit on the surroundings. (this takes a while because itll fall out of shape when its still wet, wait till it hardens a little bit more when its almost like hard gum and shape it with your fingers.) i let it cure for 1 day.

6

use a file or sand paper to make it into the original shape. and pop it back into the latch (i made it a little bit bigger than it use to just to be safe so i dont sand down too much)

7
screw the latch and backing back on glove box and see if it works and adjust as needed. then reassemble everything and there you go.

Solidjake · 11-09-2009, 08:27 PM

Sweet dude, good job

///M3Turk · 11-09-2009, 08:50 PM

sweeeeeeeeeet i have the same problem.
Thanks habibi

lowkey_e46 · 11-10-2009, 04:52 AM

thanks guys. wasnt sure if anyone else had this problem.

tdd · 11-13-2009, 10:37 AM

Many thanks!! I've been having this same problem intermittantly for several months. Now, the glove box won't open at all. It did have its upside though: About a month ago, I was stopped for speeding (doing 30 in a 20 zone!). When the cop asked me for my registration and proof of insurance, I couldn't open the glove box to get them. Then he tried but couldn't open it either. So, rather than give me the speeding ticket, he gave me one for not having my registration (a $10 fine that I avoided by mailing in a copy of the registration).

Again, thanks!

11-09-2009, 08:15 PM	#1
lowkey_e46 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: LA / OC / SD Posts: 25 My Ride: 328i View My Garage	DIY: your glovebox wont open?? ok im not sure how many people have this problem, or it might just be my car but here it is. this is for: if your glove box wont open when you pull on the latch. what you need: jb cold weld - $7 philips screw driver small flat head file / sandpaper see how the left side is worn out? thats why it wont open when you pull on the latch. 1 go under the glove box and take out those screws. (theres 2 sides. so 4 screws in total.) 2 this step you kinda just have to play with it. for the glovebox to drop. keep trying the latch and shake the glove box around and try to get it off the metal bar on the bottom. (or you can try to push in the metal tabs that clicks the glovebox in. use 2 flat heads and push each side.) 3 unscrew those screws 4 those 2 small clips hold in the lock cylinder. pry them gently and push out the cylinder. 5 thats what the worn out edge that pushes the metal latch looks like. (left side) mix some jb weld and apply it on the worn out side and a little bit on the surroundings. (this takes a while because itll fall out of shape when its still wet, wait till it hardens a little bit more when its almost like hard gum and shape it with your fingers.) i let it cure for 1 day. 6 use a file or sand paper to make it into the original shape. and pop it back into the latch (i made it a little bit bigger than it use to just to be safe so i dont sand down too much) 7 screw the latch and backing back on glove box and see if it works and adjust as needed. then reassemble everything and there you go. Last edited by lowkey_e46; 11-09-2009 at 08:54 PM.

11-09-2009, 08:27 PM	#2
Solidjake Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Queens, NYC Posts: 3,983 My Ride: 02 330i/03 Cayenne T View My Garage	Sweet dude, good job __________________ Jake - 2002 330i

11-09-2009, 08:50 PM	#3
///M3Turk Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: wayne,Jerzee Posts: 9,304 My Ride: 03.5 ///M3 View My Garage	sweeeeeeeeeet i have the same problem. Thanks habibi __________________ Firat WTT; My black interior + cash for your RED/CINNAMON m3 vert interior. Pm me

11-13-2009, 10:37 AM	#5
tdd Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Boca Raton, Florida Posts: 23 My Ride: '02 330CIC View My Garage	Many thanks!! I've been having this same problem intermittantly for several months. Now, the glove box won't open at all. It did have its upside though: About a month ago, I was stopped for speeding (doing 30 in a 20 zone!). When the cop asked me for my registration and proof of insurance, I couldn't open the glove box to get them. Then he tried but couldn't open it either. So, rather than give me the speeding ticket, he gave me one for not having my registration (a $10 fine that I avoided by mailing in a copy of the registration). Again, thanks! __________________ '02 330CiC, Electric Red, Sand Leather, SP, PP, Steptronic, Bi-Xenon

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11-10-2009, 04:52 AM	#4
lowkey_e46 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: LA / OC / SD Posts: 25 My Ride: 328i View My Garage	thanks guys. wasnt sure if anyone else had this problem.