Is your glove box hard to close? Fix it!

[goldwing2000]

This is a quick method for repairing the problems we're having with the stubborn glove box door.

The Problem: Glove box door is difficult to close.

The Cause: Right side latch sticks out too far and does not compress when pressure is applied.

The Fix: Shorten the right side latch.

The Procedure:

Tools needed
~fine-tooth flat file about 1 inch wide (or similar)
~cigarette lighter

Step 1
Take notice of where the latch hits the striker. There should be a mark.

File the striker down until the divot is gone and there is a nice flat spot where the latch hits it. You don't need to file very much.

Step 2
Using the lighter, warm the plastic just enough to remove the "fuzzies" from filing. DO NOT heat it up enough to bubble the plastic. You only want a smooth surface.

Step 3
After allowing the striker to cool completely, take notice of the length of the latch.

Being careful not to change the angle of the latch, GRADUALLY remove material from it. File off VERY SMALL amounts and check the closing force of the door. Alternate filing and trying the door until it closes easily without excess force.

I only removed this much material:

Using the lighter again, smooth out the latch.

That's it, you're done!

If you want to lubricate the latch to make it even smoother, be sure you use a SILICONE-BASED lubricant. Petroleum-based lubricants will eat through the plastic.

 

[harrison888]

nice info

 

[PeteyBoy3K]

love all the plastic filings in the "after" shot (lol)

remember, bring your vacuum cleaner and keep everything open to get the burning plastic smell out ASAP.

Could you also theoretically use some emory paper/fine sandpaper to smooth out the plastic in the end? I ask because I fear I won't get the lighter-time quite right and will warp something.

 

[blizz81]

Good stuff 'wing. We appreciate it

 

[goldwing2000]

love all the plastic filings in the "after" shot (lol)

remember, bring your vacuum cleaner and keep everything open to get the burning plastic smell out ASAP.

Could you also theoretically use some emory paper/fine sandpaper to smooth out the plastic in the end? I ask because I fear I won't get the lighter-time quite right and will warp something.

You could but it would be harder to keep it flat. Maybe if you wrapped it around a piece of wood or a butter knife or something.

Oh, and you're NOT burning the plastic, just warming it up to smooth it out. If you're burning it, it's TOO HOT! (flame2)

 

[frenzy2223]

Or you could just take it to the dealer and get it replaced under warranty! (blowup)

 

[goldwing2000]

Or you could just take it to the dealer and get it replaced under warranty! (blowup)

Sure. You could.
And then they would replace it with the exact same part and the problem would either still be there or would come back in a few months. (shrug)

Personally, I'd rather NOT have to be without my car for a whole day (or more) over a glove box door.

But that's just my opinion. My opinion and $1.25 will get you a cup of coffee but that's about it.

 

[EmZ3Chik]

This is a quick method for repairing the problems we're having with the stubborn glove box door.

The Problem: Glove box door is difficult to close.

The Cause: Right side latch sticks out too far and does not compress when pressure is applied.

The Fix: Shorten the right side latch.

The Procedure:
*edited for length*

Thanks for the tip, i was havin that problem, and i took your advice and it worked (yippy)

 

[goldwing2000]

No problem! Glad it worked for ya! (thumb)

 

[Bluesv]

yeah, I have the same problem, went to the dealer, supposed to have it installed along with my driver side door pannels cause mine are coming out, dont know why, but still everything under warranty, so what do i care, plus i think that they changed some parts on it, cause it took them LONG time to get mine glove box, if not I will be using your homemade tip (evil)

 

[tkhawaii]

Thanks for the information - Mine sticks on occasions - I will check to see if this is the cause and the fix for it.

 

[zenmaster]

Repaired under warranty

I was having glove box problems too. When I took my Mazda 3 into the dealership for it's regular maintenance, I mentioned it and they apparently tried to fix it using Goldwing's method without success.

A customer service rep called the next day to ask if everything had gone well and my wife told him that the glovebox was still sticking. A couple of days later the dealer called back to say they had a new glove box ready to be installed at my convenience!

I dropped the car off, went for lunch, came back and it was done, and the new glove box works great. It was quick, painless and free. Pretty good service, I'd say.

(yippy)

Now if only they'd wash the car, like the local Honda dealer does...

 

[GrayZoom]

I know this is old, but....

The guy that owned the car before me did this and it looks horrible and the glove box flies open now. I thnk he filed way too much and also forgot to smooth out the area. He didn't just file that spot, he filed the whole thing!

 

[goldwing2000]

Don't necessarily blame the previous owner. It's entirely possible that the dealer screwed it up.

 

[GrayZoom]

Don't necessarily blame the previous owner. It's entirely possible that the dealer screwed it up.

I found out who the previous owner was to give him back some paperwork he left in the glove box and asked him about it. His response was that the forum told him that was the only way to fix it and that he didn't do a very good job of filing it down. He never took it to the dealer to have it looked at. If he would have been more careful and only filed the area(s) that needed it, it wouldn't pop open like it does. He actually asked me if I was having any problems like that.

 

[goldwing2000]

(hand)

Any chance the car is still under warranty?

 

[GrayZoom]

(hand)

Any chance the car is still under warranty?

Yeah, it's still under warranty. Would the dealer actually fix it?

 

[goldwing2000]

Yeah, it's still under warranty. Would the dealer actually fix it?

They might. It wouldn't hurt to ask. The worst they can say is no. Since there's a TSB on it (I think), they just might do it.
If they flat-out refuse to fix it under warranty, see if they will give you a deal on the parts to fix it yourself.

 

[GrayZoom]

They might. It wouldn't hurt to ask. The worst they can say is no. Since there's a TSB on it (I think), they just might do it.
If they flat-out refuse to fix it under warranty, see if they will give you a deal on the parts to fix it yourself.

I'll give it a shot. Would it only be the glove box or is it part of the dash as well? He also cut out the back half of the glove box to fit a PS2 in it. I can see the white fuse board or connector box (whatever it is).

Edit...where did you get the Zoom-Zoom sticker? (2thumbs)

 

[goldwing2000]

Obviously, I don't know how much this asshat filed away from the pieces but it may be just door hardware or it may be more. Can't say without seeing it, really.

That's bad news that he whacked out the back of the box for a damn video game. I don't know how hard that's gonna be to fix.

I got the sticker from somebody on one of these forums (don't remember which one for sure). He was giving them away for free, so I asked for one. (thumb)