Help! Glove box door stuck. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

KWinBigE · 03-23-2003, 01:39 PM

The glove box door won't open on my '71 Custom 10.
Worked flawlessly until I tried to open it today.
The button won't depress, almost like it's locked but no lock that I know of.

Any ideas short of cutting the cardboard and coming in from the bottom?

Thanks for all the great info guys,

KW

barn9 · 03-23-2003, 02:23 PM

You might try some graphite before tearing anything up. If you have some graphite in a tube, try puffig some into the mechanism while moving the button back and forth. Good luck!

71-longbed · 03-23-2003, 03:36 PM

this probaly wont help since its stuck shut .... i use a few squirts of lithuim grease .... makes it work like new

casey · 03-23-2003, 04:21 PM

This might sound like a dumb question, But could someone have closed it with something wedged in the hinge, Iv'e seen that it closes so tight you can't push the button, try pushing on the door while you push the button, just a guess

PanelDeland · 03-23-2003, 05:15 PM

"What casey said"

All of mine have had the must press to function type glove box door latch.

Blue Beard · 03-23-2003, 05:26 PM

Guys, before he goes too far.............

Any product with grease base is bad for all locks..............grease attracks all dirt and particles in the air.......

If that unit has a lock on there...use liquid graphite in there.....give it time to work...........if there is something in there it should soften it up enought to allow it to open.....

If you get it open, take it out and clean it out real good.

I use to be a locksmith and used this on a piece of plastic from a bottle rocket in a customers door and it worked very nicely................

KWinBigE · 03-23-2003, 05:56 PM

Thanks for the posts guys.
It doesn't have a lock or a key slot. Just a button and the button doesn't feel like it's rusty or sticky, since it will move very slightly just won't depress. It almost feels like there is something solid interfering with the mechanism.

KW

Blue Beard · 03-23-2003, 10:00 PM

Try using a drink straw like the one from the bar.........

Work it into the lid over top of the glove box latch and put liquid graphite into the straw, letting it seep down to the mechanism....maybe that will work....

MOTHERTRUCKERS · 03-23-2003, 10:49 PM

Smack the lock button with a rubber hammer while pushing then pulling on the door top edges.

woodrow59 · 03-23-2003, 11:00 PM

Mine gets stuck all the time. I dont remember exactly how the mechanism works but mine is worn out and needs replaced.

Anyway, try grasping the upper part of the glovebox door with your lefthand fingers while pushing the button with your left thumb. As you try to pull the top of the glovebox door open hit the door softly with your right fist. It may take awhile.

I know this sounds stupid but it gets mine open after a few tries.

After you get it open, do what I need to do,,,,,,replace the whole mechanism.

woodrow59 · 03-23-2003, 11:12 PM

Yeah mothertrucker,,,,,,, that's what I was trying to say !!!! LOL

*racedvl* · 03-23-2003, 11:25 PM

I dunno, if it's stuck, I would just give the button hell, and replace it when I get it open. But I like breaking things. . .

KWinBigE · 03-23-2003, 11:29 PM

Thanks for all the ideas. I tried most of them and even slid a slim-jim in from the side and tried to release the catch that way but couldn't catch it right.

Finally took a razor knife and cut a U shaped slot (3 slits) in the bottom of the cardboard insert then reached in and released it.

When I took the mechanism out I found that the spring loaded catch that latches the door was worn and traveled too far out of the cylinder. When it exends past normal the button gets jammed.
I took it apart and dinged the housing around the catch so that it wouldn't extend too far. Works ok for now but need to get another one.

Put black racing tape over the slits I cut in the cardboard on the bottom of the box. It's barely noticeable.

Thanks again for the advice.

KW

03-23-2003, 01:39 PM	#1
KWinBigE Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Eufaula, OK Posts: 19	Help! Glove box door stuck. The glove box door won't open on my '71 Custom 10. Worked flawlessly until I tried to open it today. The button won't depress, almost like it's locked but no lock that I know of. Any ideas short of cutting the cardboard and coming in from the bottom? Thanks for all the great info guys, KW __________________ 71 Custom 10, LWB RED, RED, RED

03-23-2003, 02:23 PM	#2
barn9 Half a bubble off! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Winfield, Ks, USA Posts: 5,588	You might try some graphite before tearing anything up. If you have some graphite in a tube, try puffig some into the mechanism while moving the button back and forth. Good luck! __________________ Just call me LB. '71 Cheyenne, 402BB, hauls blondes, brunettes, or redheads.

03-23-2003, 03:36 PM	#3
71-longbed Its Magically Delicious Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: oregon Posts: 2,398	this probaly wont help since its stuck shut .... i use a few squirts of lithuim grease .... makes it work like new __________________ 71 C10 LWB 350sbc -TH350 12 bolt 3.42 Posi Of all my favorite things to do, The utmost is to have a brew. My love grows for my foamy friend, with each thirst-quenching elbow bend. Beer so frosty, smooth, and cold it's paradise pure liquid gold. Yes beer means many things to me that's all for now cus I gotta pee.

03-23-2003, 05:15 PM	#5
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	"What casey said" All of mine have had the must press to function type glove box door latch. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

03-23-2003, 05:26 PM	#6
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,831	Guys, before he goes too far............. Any product with grease base is bad for all locks..............grease attracks all dirt and particles in the air....... If that unit has a lock on there...use liquid graphite in there.....give it time to work...........if there is something in there it should soften it up enought to allow it to open..... If you get it open, take it out and clean it out real good. I use to be a locksmith and used this on a piece of plastic from a bottle rocket in a customers door and it worked very nicely................ __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

03-23-2003, 04:21 PM	#4
casey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 2,048	This might sound like a dumb question, But could someone have closed it with something wedged in the hinge, Iv'e seen that it closes so tight you can't push the button, try pushing on the door while you push the button, just a guess

03-23-2003, 05:56 PM	#7
KWinBigE Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Eufaula, OK Posts: 19	Thanks for the posts guys. It doesn't have a lock or a key slot. Just a button and the button doesn't feel like it's rusty or sticky, since it will move very slightly just won't depress. It almost feels like there is something solid interfering with the mechanism. KW __________________ 71 Custom 10, LWB RED, RED, RED

03-23-2003, 10:00 PM	#8
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,831	Try using a drink straw like the one from the bar......... Work it into the lid over top of the glove box latch and put liquid graphite into the straw, letting it seep down to the mechanism....maybe that will work.... __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

03-23-2003, 10:49 PM	#9
MOTHERTRUCKERS Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: BRADENTON FLA Posts: 3,269	Smack the lock button with a rubber hammer while pushing then pulling on the door top edges. __________________ Rest in Peace Ed. Thanks for all the good times.

03-23-2003, 11:00 PM	#10
woodrow59 OzarkHillbilly in Atlanta Join Date: May 2002 Location: Douglasville, Ga. Salem, Mo. Posts: 386	Mine gets stuck all the time. I dont remember exactly how the mechanism works but mine is worn out and needs replaced. Anyway, try grasping the upper part of the glovebox door with your lefthand fingers while pushing the button with your left thumb. As you try to pull the top of the glovebox door open hit the door softly with your right fist. It may take awhile. I know this sounds stupid but it gets mine open after a few tries. After you get it open, do what I need to do,,,,,,replace the whole mechanism. __________________ 72 custom/10 LWB 68 Longhorn C20 Custom Camper (sold)

03-23-2003, 11:12 PM	#11
woodrow59 OzarkHillbilly in Atlanta Join Date: May 2002 Location: Douglasville, Ga. Salem, Mo. Posts: 386	Yeah mothertrucker,,,,,,, that's what I was trying to say !!!! LOL __________________ 72 custom/10 LWB 68 Longhorn C20 Custom Camper (sold)

03-23-2003, 11:25 PM	#12
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	I dunno, if it's stuck, I would just give the button hell, and replace it when I get it open. But I like breaking things. . .

03-23-2003, 11:29 PM	#13
KWinBigE Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Eufaula, OK Posts: 19	Thanks for all the ideas. I tried most of them and even slid a slim-jim in from the side and tried to release the catch that way but couldn't catch it right. Finally took a razor knife and cut a U shaped slot (3 slits) in the bottom of the cardboard insert then reached in and released it. When I took the mechanism out I found that the spring loaded catch that latches the door was worn and traveled too far out of the cylinder. When it exends past normal the button gets jammed. I took it apart and dinged the housing around the catch so that it wouldn't extend too far. Works ok for now but need to get another one. Put black racing tape over the slits I cut in the cardboard on the bottom of the box. It's barely noticeable. Thanks again for the advice. KW __________________ 71 Custom 10, LWB RED, RED, RED

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