Help! Broken Glove Box Opening Guide for Idiots Needed!

[general_piffle]

OK, glove box handle came off in my hand:



Still have it with short metal bar that slots through the handle. I've looked on here and found other threads saying stick a screwdriver in the top and it'll pop open. I've even watched this clip several times:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn_LmCZcMUM

But after 15 minutes of twitting around with the key and a screwdriver the bastard is still shut, I've tried sticking it in the top and jiggling it around but nothing. I've got a replacement handle coming from eBay but I won't be able to fit it if I can't open the glove box now and take the old one out!

What the f*ck am I not doing right?! Thanks!

[dom]

[dixie180]

Hi mate.Had a similar problem with mine.If you can prize the glove box open a bit then you can fit a thin screwdriver in the top of the glovebox approx half way along the top.The catch is situated about 25mm down behind,you may be able to pop the catch.Good luck.


Rob

[Leebob]

It is as easy as the video shows it as i had to do mine.Silly question but have you tried unlocking it?

[general_piffle]

It is as easy as the video shows it as i had to do mine.Silly question but have you tried unlocking it?

No idea why it won't work for me then. When I turn the  key in the lock there's no resistance either way so it's hard to tell if it's locked or not. From watching the video he turns the key anti-clockwise then wags his finger as if to say 'no' then turns it clockwise before he starts sliding the key into the top of the handle surround - this is what I did. In fact I could see the tip of the key next to the spring in the pic!

[Leebob]

Try working your way to the left a bit more then as you need your key to hit the part where the handle was hinged onto to release it.

[general_piffle]

Try working your way to the left a bit more then as you need your key to hit the part where the handle was hinged onto to release it.

Thanks Leebob! I'll try this later on today and let you know how I get on

[Leebob]

Think i remember using a normal dinner knife to do this instead of my key as it was easier to get in and to hit the part that releases it.Hope you manage to get it sorted m8y.

[general_piffle]

Think i remember using a normal dinner knife to do this instead of my key as it was easier to get in and to hit the part that releases it.Hope you manage to get it sorted m8y.

Just seen this. Have been outside faffing around with the key at the point of where the hinge was on the left-hand side of the handle. But no joy. I do remember hearing something fall down inside when the handle first came away in my hand, is it possible that the bit I'm trying to hit is no longer there?!

Will go back out with a dinner knife, if this doesn't work I'm a bit stuck!

 

[general_piffle]

Result! Leebob, your 'dinner knife' suggestion worked! Thanks mate.

For anyone else trying this the guy in the youtube clip does it with the ignition key and makes it look easy but if you've never done it before then trying to do it this way is actually really fiddly!

It took me about 20 mins of mucking around with the key and getting nowhere and 2 mins of gentle persuasion with a dinner knife and open she popped!

So what about the lock? You still want to be able to lock your glove box with your ignition key right? Just take out the handle surround by undoing the 3 screws that hold it in place on the back of the glove box door. Here's the back of the handle assembly:



The metallic looking bit is the back of the lock, it's held in place by 4 plastic tabs. With a bit of gentle Dremel and cutting wheel action the broken handle has its holding tabs cut and the lock is now ready to be slid out and popped into the new surround: