Missing Glove Box Latch Button ??

[littlemo]

Ok, here's one for the "GURU'S". I own a beautiful (to me) 48 P-15 Special Deluxe that has a Glove Box problem; Basically, I can't open it. Why??? No latch button! I have searched and searched the Forum but cannot find a thread on how to open a glove box latch with the "push" button missing ??? I would be grateful for any suggestions short of using "C-4", since the dash is in pretty good shape !!! Remember, I am a visual learner so pics will help . Thanks, Cass...

Edited December 27, 2010 by littlemo

[P-12 Tommy]

Ok, here's one for the "GURU'S". I own a beautiful (to me) 48 P-15 Special Deluxe that has a Glove Box problem; Basically, I can't open it. Why??? No latch button! I have searched and searched the Forum but cannot find a thread on how to open a glove box latch with the "push" button missing ??? I would be grateful for any suggestions short of using "C-4", since the dash is in pretty good shape !!! Remember, I am a visual learner so pics will help . Thanks, Cass...

Cass, Take a picture and let's see what you got. Is the whole latch missing? Can you stick something in the hole and release what's in there?

Tom

[littlemo]

Tommy; thanks for the reply: It looks like only part of the latch is missing as there's a solid piece of metal (?) that appears to be across the back of the latch cylinder opening. I've tried putting a common screwdriver in the hole and twisting left and right-didn't work; I then tried a phillips screwdriver in the hole and pushing in, didn't work?? Camera's down today, I will get Pics tomorrow and post. Thanks Cass....

[BobT-47P15]

Here's a pic of the glove box from the parts manual.

It would seem that pushing with some object should release the latch

but then I wondered......did the missing button have a key hole? Is

the glove box actually locked?

The thing the pushbutton lock catches on is realy a screw with a

kind of thin head. One side of that head is shaved off straight.

Problem is you can't really get to that screw with the door closed.

So really no help from this explanation.

I guess the point is that it might not take a lot of downward prying on

the lid just above the lock to get the latch to pop off of the screw

head portion. You would have to work carefully.

Is your actual glove box all there and in good condition?

[Bill Ford]

Ok, here's one for the "GURU'S". I own a beautiful (to me) 48 P-15 Special Deluxe that has a Glove Box problem; Basically, I can't open it. Why??? No latch button! I have searched and searched the Forum but cannot find a thread on how to open a glove box latch with the "push" button missing ??? I would be grateful for any suggestions short of using "C-4", since the dash is in pretty good shape !!! Remember, I am a visual learner so pics will help . Thanks, Cass...[/QU

[Bill Ford]

I just looked at my glove box and it looks like if you had something thin and flexible shaped like a small slim jim that is used for opening doors it would work. It would need to have a hook or something that would catch the latch. The latch is sloped from the rear. Maybe a 20 or 18 gauge wire with a hook on it will do. Don't force it or mess up a good dash.

[Young Ed]

If it were me I'd wreck a $30 cardboard glovebox liner before I'd wreck the paint on my dash.

[Don Coatney]

Were it me I would call Geraldo Rivera:cool: He has the required knack:rolleyes:

[claybill]

bill....with the push button item gone...there is nothing to keep the latch from opening..it is probably stuck!

find a small thin screwdriver, wedge it between dash and door, and just pop it !

yes find a place to do it..use aluminum foil or plastic wrap as protector etc

[littlemo]

Borrowed my daughters camera ( mines in the shop ) so this is the best closeup I can get of the latch opening. You can see that the rear of the opening appears to have something (?) across it ??? If the latch were missing, you would be able to see into the glove box itself would you not?? ( yes the box is in good shape so I hate to destroy it, if I can keep from it, even if it only costs $30.00 ). Guess the old "try & pry" is the thing to do next. Hard to take a good picture with the children watching! Thanks, Cass...

Add. Sorry, upon editing I notice that latch pic is out of focus. Not much help.

Edited December 27, 2010 by littlemo

[littlemo]

Bob, it looks as if you're right. It does appear the latch itself is there, but the "button" is missing. If it is of the "keyed lock" type, it's my bet/ luck that the box is actually locked. Mmmm ???

Edited December 28, 2010 by littlemo

[Frank Elder]

If you don't want to damage anything, drive over to the locksmith....I would rather pay him than pry on expensive parts.

[littlemo]

Frankie-47's probably right, I certainly don't want to ruin a good GB door !! I'll try Shel bizzy 48's idea first. Thanks all, Cass, alias Littlemo...

Edited December 27, 2010 by littlemo

[thrashingcows]

If your not concerned about the old lock then I'd suggest taking a drill bit and drilling out the center of the lock. Then that little pin should drop down out of the way, once the guts have been removed.

[JerseyHarold]

I'd try using one of those dental floss gadgets that looks like a plastic toothpick with a loop on the end to get behind the latch and give it a yank. Less chance of scratching anything because the plastic is softer than metal. I'd also put some blue painter's masking tape around the area befor doing anything, to minimize the chance of scratches.

[littlemo]

After recieving all the excellent information, pics and diagrams from you great guys on the forum, it gave my feeble mind enough data to come up with a possible solution. Being the kind of guy who seldom throws anything away, I was very hesitant in trying to pry the GB door open or even drilling out the old latch. So I decide to try and come up with a "tool" to activate the locking bar in the latch. I took an old screwdiver and about 1/4 inch from the tip bent the shaft at a slightly less than 90 degree angle. I next filed a "chisel" tip on the end so it would "bite" into the smooth face of the latches locking bar. With a slight inward pressure, I was able to pry gently upward thus camming down the locking bar, unlocking the latch and allowing the GB to open. ( I hope the pics show this plainly. It looks like my camera which will focus down to 1:1 will be in the shop awhile.)

Not only am I happy to have my problem solved, but if this solution helps someone else, I'm even happier !!!

[RobertKB]

Glad things worked out for you. Where there's a will, there's a way. Also, thanks for posting the end result. A lot of times advice is asked for and given but we never find out if the problem was resolved. Good luck with the rest of your project.

[BobT-47P15]

Another Plymouth problem solved........

I enjoy reading this sort of posts because even if I don't have the

same problem, it sometimes gives me insight into the part involved.

And often has tips I can perhaps pass on to others later.

[Young Ed]

Was that a locking or plain latch? I might have an intact one for you.

[thrashingcows]

Nice job!! As they say...Necessity is the mother of invention.

[JerseyHarold]

Was there anything good in the glove box??

[littlemo]

Sorry, no treasures, just a couple old screws, DRATS !! The latch appears to be exactly like shel_bizzy_48's shown below except of course the "push-button" part is missing. Re. Young Ed maybe having a complete latch; it doesn't matter to me whether it is a "keyed" or "non-keyed" as long as the latch body is the same. ??? I am certainly in the market for one that works.

Add Comment: After playing around with the "tool" I made, I found it works better if the "bend" is less than 90 degrees, more like 45-60 or less !!!

Edited December 29, 2010 by littlemo

[Young Ed]

I'll have to dig deaper so far all I found was 3 extra glove box doors without latches!

[littlemo]

Thanks Ed, I was able to come up with one. Cass..alias, Littlemo.....