47-55.1 Glove box not closing correctly

[Greyhound101]

Installed new glove box door, hinges and lock/latch. Door latches when closed but has a 1/2" or so gap from fully closing. Only thing I can come up with is to modify the door latch which I don't really want to do. Has anyone else had this problem? Is there something I'm missing?

[mr48chev]

The only thing that I can think of is that the tab on the back of the glove box door isn't set up right.

Top two photos are on one 51 one & a half ton I have the third is on the 51 cab I have.

[mr48chev]

Since it is impossible for you to stick your head under the dash and watch it work you might want to figure out how to take a video of it with a phone or camera from the inside while you close the door.

[Greyhound101]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

The only thing that I can think of is that the tab on the back of the glove box door isn't set up right.

Top two photos are on one 51 one & a half ton I have the third is on the 51 cab I have.

My tab doesn't have the 30ish degree bend in it that yours has. From memory, my tab is 90 degrees from the face of the door its mounted on. Without that bend, my tab is effectively longer than yours which would cause a gap at closure. I'll take a pic of it later this evening and post on here with dims and we can compare that against the dims of your tab. Thanks!

[Greyhound101]

Looks like my tab is a bit longer? Guess I'll have to shorten it. Is it possible for you to measure your tab so I can compare to mine?

[mr48chev]

I'll get it in the morning. I was going to go out and do it this afternoon but they moved the wheel line up next to the fence and the sprinkler is hitting right where I need to stand.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Greyhound101

Looks like my tab is a bit longer? Guess I'll have to shorten it. Is it possible for you to measure your tab so I can compare to mine?

I wouldn't cut it. I would just bend it back. It looks like it accidently got flattened. This tab can bent to get the desired gap. I pulled a new one out of a box to install and I had to bend the tap slightly to catch the latch. It didn't take much to get it working as intended.

Marc

[nvrdone]

hope this helps: my latch is 3/4" from the inside face of the lid to the end of the latch. both angles are 90 deg.
Sorry im too old and dumb to be able to post pictures.

[Greyhound101]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

I wouldn't cut it. I would just bend it back. It looks like it accidently got flattened. This tab can bent to get the desired gap. I pulled a new one out of a box to install and I had to bend the tap slightly to catch the latch. It didn't take much to get it working as intended.

Marc

The tab to latch alignment is near perfect. It's just too long. Not sure how I can bend it to effectively reduce the length and maintain alignment? I'll try bending it upward (towards top of door) before I cut it. Cutting and welding is my last option.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Greyhound101

The tab to latch alignment is near perfect. It's just too long. Not sure how I can bend it to effectively reduce the length and maintain alignment? I'll try bending it upward (towards top of door) before I cut it. Cutting and welding is my last option.

Look at the shape of my striker. Your looks bent (flat) after the bend, I think this is your issue. The tab measures approx 1/2" from the door to the bend and 1/2" from the bend to the end of the striker.

I hope this helps.

Marc

[mr48chev]

I took some measurements and get 7/8 to the top of the tab and it is 1/2 inch in from the edge.

I measured both doors that I have.

[Greyhound101]

Thanks everyone. I'll take some measurements when I get home and post what I get. Hopefully I can bend to change the angle and solve my problem.

[Greyhound101]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I took some measurements and get 7/8 to the top of the tab and it is 1/2 inch in from the edge.

I measured both doors that I have.

From top of tab to inside face of glove box I get 1.038". So, mine is quite a bit longer than yours. Since the door swings in an arc, this would explain the 1/2" or so gap I have. I tried bending my tab into the shape of yours and the others in the pics in this thread but couldn't. The punched fasteners that hold the tab to the door became loosened despite my attempt to prevent the base of the tab from moving. I bent the tab several times in different angles but could not get the door to close fully and securely. I haven't been as frustrated with something in quite some time!! Looks like I have two options: 1) remove that tab and fab my own and epoxy or weld to door or 2) buy new door and hope it has the correct size and shape tab. I really don't want to cough up $140 for another new one. The door and hinges I have are new and had just been put on the truck before I bought it.

[mr48chev]

I'd say to bend the tab you would want to have a good hold on it below the tab to keep from putting stress on the spot welds.

[joedoh]

not to totally derail the tab bending discussion but make sure the hook on the latch is still intact, its about 50-50 chance on trucks that the hook will be broken off the latch. when it breaks the door may hold on the broken piece but usually hangs open an extra 1/2 inch.

here is a picture, the hook should look like this and the red line is where mine break, usually after fiddling with the tab to get it to close better. sometimes I buy a new one and break that one too because i just like having that kind of infuriating fun.

[Greyhound101]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I'd say to bend the tab you would want to have a good hold on it below the tab to keep from putting stress on the spot welds.

Yep, exactly. That's what I did. Problem is, the force required to bend the tab overcomes the force that I can apply by hand tool (pliers) to keep the tab base from rising off the inside face of the door. I was bending the tab while the door was attached to the hinges so I could easily swing the door to check closure each time I bent the tab. Didn't want to remove the door from the hinges each time I bent the tab a little further.

[Greyhound101]

Originally Posted by joedoh

not to totally derail the tab bending discussion but make sure the hook on the latch is still intact, its about 50-50 chance on trucks that the hook will be broken off the latch. when it breaks the door may hold on the broken piece but usually hangs open an extra 1/2 inch.

here is a picture, the hook should look like this and the red line is where mine break, usually after fiddling with the tab to get it to close better. sometimes I buy a new one and break that one too because i just like having that kind of infuriating fun.

The latch set is new. I wish the latch was the problem!!

[Greyhound101]

Went ahead and removed the clip from the door so I could bend it to the right shape. Could someone please measure theirs and give me the correct dims? Once I get that, I will position it back on the door, spot weld it on and hope like heck it closes properly! TIA.

[Greyhound101]

Anyone?

[mr48chev]

BRB, It's hot out there.

[mr48chev]

Sorry about the delay, I ended up having a bit of heat exhaustion after wrestling a piece of firewood on the trailer yesterday. That's one of about 10 that size and I only got one yesterday.

These photos are clearer than the others in the earlier post. If you need more this door is off and easy to get photos of .

[mick53]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Sorry about the delay, I ended up having a bit of heat exhaustion after wrestling a piece of firewood on the trailer yesterday. That's one of about 10 that size and I only got one yesterday.

These photos are clearer than the others in the earlier post. If you need more this door is off and easy to get photos of .

Nice pictures. I could make one from those. That's a big hunk of wood. I need hydraulics for that kind of stuff these days. Please be careful.

[Greyhound101]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Sorry about the delay, I ended up having a bit of heat exhaustion after wrestling a piece of firewood on the trailer yesterday. That's one of about 10 that size and I only got one yesterday.

These photos are clearer than the others in the earlier post. If you need more this door is off and easy to get photos of .

Thanks. I can work with that!

After hernia surgery a couple months ago, lifting logs like that manually have become a thing of the past for me! Be careful! and yes, it doesn't take too much to overheat in this weather!

[Greyhound101]

Got the retainer bent correctly and welded back on. Door closes good. I'm satisfied. Thanks for all the help!

[mr48chev]

Kewl.