-- DIY : The Definitive glovebox door latch rattle repair --
 

OK.... this is one of "those things" that I am sure some of you have had trouble with, and having searched the forum...no good solution for this very easy problem

Please excuse the simple humor and obvious embellishment!!! :icon107:

THE PROBLEM :
Glovebox door latch mechanism loose and rattling (jiggling, shaking, etc...)

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY (1-inflating a tire, 10-Detailing your car to look like Jeff's aka "InTheAir" ;) ):
This is a "1"

TIME REQUIRED :
10-15 minutes to remove the glovebox door (not required though)
2 minutes to fix the latch
4 minutes to unscrew and screw everything back in place

TOOLS REQUIRED :
- phillips head screwdriver
- adjustable wrench

THE SOLUTION :

** PLEASE NOTE **
I removed by glovebox door because it was dark, car was parked on the street, and I could not work out how the latch mechanism worked from inside the car....however you can do this fix without removing the glovebox door if you look at the pictures carefully.

1st - Removal of the Glovebox door (optional)
- open glove box door (uh-huh)
- unscrew the 3 screws located underneath the dashboard where the glovebox attaches
- unscrew the 4 screws of the glovebox lining : 2 on top, and 2 on the sides
loosen and pull lining towards you (so you can see where the plastic arms slot into the dashboard)
- bring glovebox almost to close position
- remove the left arm (closest to driver) first from the dashboard, and then the right (passenger side). The left arm is loose, and should be fairly easy to remove by pulling from the bottom of the glovebox door to you. The right arm has a little more pressure to it (which actually acts as a "damper" for the glovebox door)
- NOTE : if door does not remove easily, check to make sure that the hooks of the arms aren't hooking on to any wires (this is a common problem)

2nd - Repair
At this point, you either have the glovebox door in your hand or you have been reading this post, and are still waiting to get to the *&%#%$ fix.
--> unscrew the left and leading edge screws from the fabric backing (if you have removed the glovebox, you can easily remove all screws with the exception of the 2 hinge screws as noted in the picture)
--> unscrew the single screw on the top of the black plastic locking cap (see picture). Now slide this black plastic piece thru the side, or pinch and remove from the top thru the fabric backing (if you have not removed it)
--> tighten down bolt on back of glovebox door

** most important part **
--> place the black plastic locking cap in the CORRECT POSITION AS ILLUSTRATED in the pictures
--> screw back in place

3rd - Putting it all back together
--> Replace all screws....test latch mechanism....
--> if you removed the glovebox door : put the right plastic arm of the glovebox in first. NOTE: this is a little tough, and you may need to put a little pressure on the plastic arm...just support the arm as you pussssssshhhhh it into place (also make sure you note the hooks of the arm, and "hook" the arm into place)

!! DONE !! ENJOY !! :evilgrin:

I need to do this, thanks.
Mark

Or alternatively, just remove the black locking cap and pack the mechanism with VERY thick grease. Put locking cap back and you're done. Rattle is gone. Mines been rattle free for about 9 months using this method.

Detailing your car to look like "InTheAir".

Oh man, I fell off the chair with that one!

ROFLOL.

Gerry

Many times it is also the latch / hook needs to be adjusted. This loosens up and causes the glove box not stay closed tight and it rattles.

Thanks for the laugh and good info!! :D

Nicely done!

No rattle there for me... but there is this annoying little rattle in the pass side airbag facia... grr.

alpinadvl- I'm wondering if there's something broken with you glove box hooks. Removing the glove box door from the dash is really a PITA on the right side, since there's a plastic part that's screwed in to hold the hook in place. I always struggle with that stupid thing on both 993's I've owned. Is the trick to almost close the box, then pull it straight out?? That would make me feel mucho stupid. I thought you had to uncrew that hook-holder on the right.

Yes...that's the trick as far as I have figured out. The Right is a PITA...it is wedged in place and around the hook.

FWIW, I struggled for lonnng while the first time until I was able to remove the door on the right arm....but now, my glove box door moves in and out perfectly, no oddness whatsover.






(ps: now....... how 'bout that rear dash?) :thumbup:

This DIY writeup makes this activity sound just as easy as changing your shifter boot...

Hi

Thanks for finding the rattle and solution thats been bugging me for the 2 years i've owned my car

I always thought it was the passenger’s door not shutting or the passenger’s seat buckle hitting the seat.

I carried out this fix on my car today a right hand drive 993TT and worked a treat. However the latch position is different for right hand drive cars and I managed to lock glove box (opps) but opened it with a little coat hanger magic

I’ve attached your image reversed showing the RHD latch position

Regards Simon

Wow. Life saver on this one. Had to do exactly as described. Pulled out the three screws at the back then had to 'pop' the lock. What an ordeal!!

Thank you boys as always, problem solved.

I made the mistake of not getting the domed plastic piece in the correct location, closed the door and couldn't reopen. Looking at the great pics from the OP it seemed that you should be able to use a thin piece of steel to get under the door felt and trigger the mechanism. I made a really crude tool out of a pickle fork and got the door opened just enough the get the "tool" under the felt and was able to push the lever sideways and pop the lock. Worked a charm !
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...43dcc95fac.jpg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...4fcc16bbe4.jpg

Very helpful :thumbup: - thank you for posting this! My latch mechanism appears to have worked itself loose recently.

Moved...