Author Topic: Glove box door flies open  (Read 6226 times)

dseretakis

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Glove box door flies open
« on: July 10, 2012, 20:30:45 »
Years ago some hack mechanic took out the glovebox door in order to access the wiper mechanism. He was not able to re-install it. I just put it back in today but it opens with any kind of sudden acceleration. I don't have the key so locking is not an option. Maybe there is some subtlety to the spring mechanism which I'm not understanding?

114015

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Re: Glove box door flies open
« Reply #1 on: July 10, 2012, 22:36:08 »
Dseretakis,

Yes, there is. ;)
The glove box has a spring-loaded glovebox-door lock mechanism composed of two little forks (look like two short little 5 mm open spanner wrenches and a coil spring, about 1 cm diameter and 6-7 cm long.
If someone did take the glove compartment out without taking care of the spring mechanism on its left side, these often "fly away" during disassembly.

Take out the glove box carefully and look behind the dash and the clock, often the parts are still around somewhere.
You see the little bent arm of the glove box door with the little tab on it. There is a corresponding tab/pin on the (left) outside of the glove compartment. Forks and spring go in between these two tabs/pins, open mouths of the forks towards the pins and the spring onto the two arms of the forks.

Please have a look on the SLS homepage (SLS-HH.de) and see workshop group 68 Interior and Trim.

Let me know if you need more information.

And ah, regarding your missing key for the glove box: in most cases this specific lock has never been replaced in a car; thus, you just want to order it from the Classic Center in Irvine, CA by your datacard number; or you'll surprised that it is exactly identical with your existing trunk lock .... :o :o

Your choice .... ;)

Best,
Achim

Achim
(Germany)

dseretakis

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Re: Glove box door flies open
« Reply #2 on: July 11, 2012, 03:04:59 »
Achim, I have the forks and spring assembled on the door but it still just opens with any kind of acceleration. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong!

Larry & Norma

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Re: Glove box door flies open
« Reply #3 on: July 11, 2012, 08:16:37 »
Do you mean it opens on its own?

The spring is quite strong so even when installed correctly the door
will open with some force after pulling the the handle the first inch or so.
Larry Hall (Gnuface)
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1970 280SL

Garry

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Re: Glove box door flies open
« Reply #4 on: July 11, 2012, 09:52:08 »
Dseretakis,

 Sometimes you will find that the spring over years ends up with a slight bend in it and as such loses its ability to spring the lid closed and hold it there.  Replacing the spring with a new one fixes that problem.  They are available from Classic Centre for only a few dollars.

Garry
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66andBlue

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Re: Glove box door flies open
« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2012, 16:12:27 »
Dseretakis,
look at the photos in "reply 11" in this thread, perhaps you get a clue what may be wrong with your springs.
http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=10134.0
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

dseretakis

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Re: Glove box door flies open
« Reply #6 on: July 12, 2012, 03:29:25 »
Dseretakis,
look at the photos in "reply 11" in this thread, perhaps you get a clue what may be wrong with your springs.
http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=10134.0
wow that is good stuff! I'll look into getting some tubing.

Bonnyboy

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Re: Glove box door flies open
« Reply #7 on: July 12, 2012, 04:33:03 »
I had no idea I was missing so many items for the interior.  I'm heading to my junk pile tomorrow morning to see what I can make.


I have to say it again...this web site rocks.

Ian
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114015

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Re: Glove box door flies open
« Reply #8 on: July 13, 2012, 17:28:46 »
Quote
wow that is good stuff!

Quote
I have to say it again...this web site rocks.

I think so too. Many members here have really good hints for help.

Many thanks especially to Alfred who is always helping out with fine technical reports and excellent photo documentation here.


Achim
Achim
(Germany)

Markbhai

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Re: Glove box door flies open
« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2012, 22:04:26 »
Great Stuff.

I didn't even know I had a problem...I just locked mine all of the time to stop it opening.  I should have known better that it wasn't a design fault. 

Oh me of little faith.

M