Suggestions on how to open a stuck glove box

[BINGO]

Howdy,

Seems the glove box on my 86 635 will not open. The latch seems to move in the same manner it normally does but it will not release. Any suggestions ?

[jhm5]

Sorry to say... I think you'll have to break it... force it open and buy a new latch mechanism. This happened on my E28 M5 some years ago. I don't remember the specifics but it seems to me the lever broke inside so moving the handle didn't actually actuate anything inside. I suggest trying a forum for the old 6ers or 5s. Someone will have had this problem and remember how to fix. Perhaps try the forums on the national site http://www.bmwcca.org or one of the appropriate special interest groups http://bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=modern_classics. Good luck.

[John in VA]

These are E28 posts, but the latch is the same, A J-shaped piece of pot metal fails, causing the problem. The same thing happened to me some time ago. I pried it just enough to fit a Phillips screw driver and loosen the two screws that attach to the dashboard, then the glove box will just fall down and you can remove the latch. This way you won't force it too much. You can get a new latch that will or will not have a lock. Your original lock is easy to move over to your new(er) assembly.

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t...ht=glove+latch
http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t...ht=glove+latch