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View Full Version : Solution to the randomly falling glove box door problem!


mikemaj82
08-01-2011, 03:00 PM
I finally had enough of my glove box door randomly falling down, especially going over hard bumps. It got so bad that the piece on the right side that stops the door from completely falling out cracked off, putting all the stress of the door on just the piece on the left side. So I ripped out the box and found the problem.

There are two pins that the door swings on, and apparently, there is some play room in there that allows the door to shift left and right. If it shifts too far to one side, the clip that holds the glove box in place will actually slide right out of the hole, causing the door to drop open. I fixed this problem by putting two rubber washers on each side, and slipping the pin through them to give it less play. I will let the pictures do the talking:

Here is the left side:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/mikemaj82/Pontiac%20G8%20GT/glovebox1.jpg

The right side:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/mikemaj82/Pontiac%20G8%20GT/glovebox2.jpg

And here is the clip that opens when you pull the handle. If the door shifts too much to one side while driving, the clip will just slip through its hole and the door will open by itself

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/mikemaj82/Pontiac%20G8%20GT/glovebox3.jpg

After two years, problem finally solved! lol

On a side note, does anyone know that this weird cylinder-thing is with a string coming out of it on the side of the glove box? You can actually pull the string, but I'm afraid to pull it all the way lol. On GMPartsDirect it's called an Assist Cylinder. But what the heck does it do?

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/mikemaj82/Pontiac%20G8%20GT/glovebox4.jpg
GeoffA
08-01-2011, 03:10 PM
Nice, I tried fixing mine too, but it didn't work. I'll have to try this!

No idea what that cylander is... I don't remember seeing it on mine at all.
GRRRR8
08-01-2011, 03:28 PM
Nice work. That is like a shock so the glove box opens smoothly. I have found a few that were not even hooked up!
mikemaj82
08-01-2011, 03:35 PM
how does it hook up? it's just screwed onto the side of the box with two torx screws.
GRRRR8
08-01-2011, 03:43 PM
There is a hook that loop on the string attaches to. Let me see if I have a pic.
GRRRR8
08-01-2011, 03:49 PM
11976
GRRRR8
08-01-2011, 03:51 PM
Hard to tell, but it looks like that piece might be broke on your box.
TomPierce
08-01-2011, 05:47 PM
The fix is to file a new groove for the loop to fit around on the post. Usually the tip of the post breaks off where the loop attaches, but leaves enough that you can use a hacksaw blade to create a new groove in the post.

My repair for this has now held together for longer than the original piece.
mikemaj82
08-01-2011, 06:06 PM
yea damn. that is the piece that broke. i superglued it back on, but who knows if it'll hold that.
SpeedRacerX
08-01-2011, 06:17 PM
What? My loop is not attached. I gotta check this out now.
BLKG8
08-01-2011, 08:50 PM
The fix is to file a new groove for the loop to fit around on the post. Usually the tip of the post breaks off where the loop attaches, but leaves enough that you can use a hacksaw blade to create a new groove in the post.

My repair for this has now held together for longer than the original piece.

That post was hollow on mine, so i just screwed in a short screw. And used the head of the screw for the string. Still holding after almost three years.
mikemaj82
08-02-2011, 02:23 PM
That post was hollow on mine, so i just screwed in a short screw. And used the head of the screw for the string. Still holding after almost three years.

that's what I'm gonna have to do. the piece that I glued did not hold at all.
GRRRR8
08-02-2011, 06:41 PM
Yes the screw method does worked. I fixed a customers the same way.
MongosG8
08-02-2011, 09:33 PM
Thanks for the heads up on the glove box Mike.

Also nice catch on the cylinder Charlie.. Mine wasn't even hooked up.
texn884
08-03-2011, 06:33 PM
Wow a lot of stuff just to keep the glove box closed. Would a simple latch been a better design?
Slizzo
08-04-2011, 12:00 PM
Thanks for the heads up on the glove box Mike.

Also nice catch on the cylinder Charlie.. Mine wasn't even hooked up.

Well shit, mine probably isn't either.

Will have to investigate this over the weekend.
SpeedRacerX
08-06-2011, 12:14 PM
I just messed with this but can't figure out how to get the glove box out. I was able to find and remove all the upper and side screws but what the heck is holding the bottom of the assembly in place? I can't find them. I want to drop out the whole unit.
VegasNate
08-06-2011, 01:32 PM
There are some screws on the bottom too.
SpeedRacerX
08-07-2011, 12:55 PM
Done. Fixed the broken bungy thing with a screw and washer and put two thin plastic washers on the pin that was causing the shifting. Only one side needed it.
Nice little fix.