VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Glove box latch

The glove box latch on our '40 will not open. When I push the button in it doesn't feel like the latch is letting go. When I got the car I couldn't get the glove box open and I ended up cutting the liner to take things apart from the inside. I hate to cut up a perfect liner and wondering if anyone has any tips? Thanks Don

Don,

Try the following:

a. Unlock it by using key. Well, duh!

b. Spray some lubricant in there (just a little WD-40 or something equivalent.) Then try it again.

c. Insert several finger nails along the top and pull/jerk down

d. Borrow a dinner knife from your wife. Slide it in to trip the mechanism. (No. Don't ask her. Explain later when she asks you if you have seen it. Straighten it before you bring it back.)

e. Use a screwdriver. (Be careful because the shank is bigger than the knife.)

f. Use a pry-bar. (This is a last resort effort (from the front) and you may want to check the availability of another door before attempting this.)

g. Go ahead and tear the box out from the rear. And next time check that the lock is working properly before you lock it.

You're welcome,
Charlie

Charlie forgot to tell you, if all of the above fails ( as it will because it is a SISSY way of solving a simple problem )
Be a MAN and at the same time impress your neighbors for miles around...Just paste a little C4 plastic on the door and set that sucker off..(The military way) I guarantee that when you find your car ( if you ever do) that door will be open.....ED