VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 37 glove box

My glove box is locked and the key is not opening it so I called a locksmith friend of mine to help . He is having a bad time getting the tumbler to turn . He wants to know which way the latch turns to open the box lid looking at it from the front set . Left or right ? Any other advise is welcome .
Thanks
Michael

On my ”˜37 Master Coupe (GB) I turn the key clockwise to unlock the latch.

The locked position is vertical with the cut edge of the key down.

Thanks for that info . Does the latch itself turn clockwise also ?

The latch is operated by pushing the button in the center of the handle where the key goes in. Nothing turns except the lock button.

Thanks for that info . I would be twisting on it if the tumbler ever turns . The wings on the thing scream "TURN ME " . This 37 has taught me so much . I just thought about asking if the key slot should be straight up or down or side to side when unlocked .

My '38 is different but I believe those "wings" are finger pulls.

Tiny is correct the "wings" are just to pull the glove box door open.

Note in my post that the key is vertical when locked.

I thank everyone for your input . I'm still trying to get it unlocked without damage . The locksmith I called couldn't get it open but was going to call someone he knew to get some more info on this lock . I surely don't want it damaged . If anyone thinks of something I can do , please let me know .

I believe you can get new glove box liners. In a worst case scenario you can poke a hole in the bottom of the liner and depress the latch to get the door open. Once it's open you might get lucky and find the key code on the cylinder.

See if the winged handle is loose enough in the door that you can rotate in either direction. You might want to use some penetrating oil and turn gently with hand pressure so you don't damage the lock case. Once the Wings are vertical the latch hook should disengage from the bracket and you can open the door.

This is just an emergency approach to get the locked door open without a key. Once the lock is working the wings are set horizontal and they are only used as finger pulls as other have mentioned.

Tom

I take it you have the correct key but it wont open? Did it ever work for you?

I believe you have the same lock I do in my Pontiac, just a different knob. Locked position is with the key straight up and down, notches on the key down, like this:



Unlocked is a quarter turn to the right, like this:



Then you have to push the button to open. Once open, you could take the lock apart. My cylinder is broken, and just falls out if left unlocked. That shouldn't happen. When in unlocked position, the tumblers are to the right like this:

This info should help the locksmith get it open . Will update when it happens . If anyone has more info . I would appreciate it .
Michael

I tore into my broken lock today and replaced the cylinder casting that caused it to fall apart if left unlocked.

There is no release to push with a paper clip or anything like that.

To get the cylinder out of the button, you must first be in the unlocked position (90 degrees right), and then you can pry the spring out of the back.

Once that is out you can wiggle the catch around (mostly in toward the button), and remove it.

Once the catch is out, you can (with the key inserted) rotate it ANOTHER 90 degrees clockwise, and that will disengage the cylinder from the tiny zinc slider in the back. Then, the cylinder will pull out the front (and the little zinc thing can come out the back).

Yes, that means that if it is in the locked position, and you don't have a key, you have to pick the lock twice.