Glove box won't open

**alanscottgraham** · Friday 23rd October 2009, 23:27

Hello, as above really, it's stuck in closed position. lock turns but nothing.. not sure where to try and prise open? any ideas ? cheers.

**WOODY T5** · Friday 23rd October 2009, 23:51

new glove box needed mate ad that with my 850 key turning did not open?

**Dangerous Dave** · Saturday 24th October 2009, 00:15

The catch breaks unfortunately. Its a common problem.

There are different ways to get it open, but its not easy, and some methods end up in dmamging the lid.

The way I did mine was to get a coathanger, straighten it, bend a small 'L' on the end and insert it from the bottom of the glovebox door and try to release the catch. It did take a while, but I got it in the end.

Then you need to get a new catch, or repair the broken one by drilling it and putting a bolt through it.

The catch has a couple of weak spots where the casting breaks.

**alanscottgraham** · Saturday 24th October 2009, 08:18

Thanks, I have not seen inside the glovebox yet, going to try the coathanger but where does the catch engage, top or side of handle.

**cookie** · Saturday 24th October 2009, 13:10

you can (right PITA) remove pins from hinges to get door off, and repair (screws to dissaemble are on insde of glovebox door

however there are numerous ways of fixing/opening (I did removal of hinge pins, as is means invisible repair (as hinges not visible other than under dash)

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/200...-box-tutorial/

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index...lovebox-latch/

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...&t=2870&p=8092

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...pic.php?t=8205

**Dangerous Dave** · Saturday 24th October 2009, 15:39

You need to relese the small catch. If you wind the seat back down, lie on your back, and look up behind the glovebox door with a torch, make the gap wider by inserting something thick. You'll be able to see the hook. Here is what you should be aiming for.......
Insert the coathanger in the middle.....

You're aiming to push the little catch in the red circle upwards.

Here's the hook and where the catch sits

Once you get the door open, undo all the screws. This releases the glovebox front

Mine actually broke twice. First it was the main pivot shaft in the pic, then it was the small shaft which is still attached in that pic

I repaired mine by drilling it and usuing a bolt to replace the main pivot shaft

(bolt obviously has to be shorter than this)

Hope this helps matey

Bomb

**alanscottgraham** · Saturday 24th October 2009, 20:38

Thank you so much for your replies, going to have a go tomorrow.

**cameron** · Saturday 24th October 2009, 21:22

Watch the Glovebox door doesnt smash you in the face when your lying upside down on the seat

**Darkstar-SFX** · Sunday 3rd August 2014, 18:31

Whooooo!!!! The glovebox catch on my 850 threw a dummy in the middle of France - with Sat Nav inside..... Just used the coat-hanger method (actually, using a meat skewer) - and after nearly an hour, on and off, poking away - it's open again!

**weagie** · Monday 4th August 2014, 18:07

Excellent, I'll be digging out a coat hanger soon as I've never seen inside my glovebox.
Gives me something to do while I work out why my R aint going lol.

**Darkstar-SFX** · Monday 25th August 2014, 10:58

Who knows what you'll find in there? If it's anything like what my other half puts in mine, probably a tampon, salt sachets from McDonalds and a bunch of old till receipts!!