A2Z
26th December 2011, 01:11 PM
What LR said could not be done, I did it anyway.
After several months of having a broken lower glove box handle and researching the net intesively. I was finding that no-one had actually succesfully repaired a lower glove box latch.
I was determined to save the $230 that I was quoted from LR. Upon first looking at it months ago I did think replacement was the only way to go, I just did not want to let go of the $$$ for ther sake of a floppy handle, as it still shut and opened ok.
This morning I felt adventurous and took out the glove box. I saw that it would be impossible to do a satisfactory repair from the outside with the handle in situe. As the outer cover is glued to the compartrment, I feel this is why many say it is not doable or will not try, I removed the outer from the compartment. It is platic welded together.
At this stage I thought to myself, I will just risk it. I was not going to leave it broken forever. If it doesn't work or I cant fix it, A new one it is.
With slight force from around all edges of the cover I freed the two apart. I could the see how basic it all was. The actual mechanism is seperate to the latch, making it even easier. with only the handle on the cover to rapair.
To repair, I removed the handle completely by gently popping the plasit of the intact side with a small screw driver. Then I could determine my fix. I cut a 100x4mm nail to size so it would sit across the broken side and over to the good side. To make the sufaces level I used a soldering iron to slowly melt down the contact areas to make it a level fit. I used plenty of epoxy to glue the nail in place, as I had melt the bed down to suit it fit well and adhered exceptionally well. I left about 4mm protruding the broken side, to allow me to first slide the hanle on this side the clip on the other.
To affix the cover to the compartment, I used plastic weld/cement, it comes with a primer and chemically melts the two plastics back together. No one could even tell it was repaired.
No for all you hany people out there, this is not a hard job, about 1.5 - 2hrs. It did take some thinking of what the best way to re-sttach a lug for the handle, but knowing that it can be done I hope it makes the job sound a whole lot more doable for anyone that has this problem, now or in the future.
:D
After several months of having a broken lower glove box handle and researching the net intesively. I was finding that no-one had actually succesfully repaired a lower glove box latch.
I was determined to save the $230 that I was quoted from LR. Upon first looking at it months ago I did think replacement was the only way to go, I just did not want to let go of the $$$ for ther sake of a floppy handle, as it still shut and opened ok.
This morning I felt adventurous and took out the glove box. I saw that it would be impossible to do a satisfactory repair from the outside with the handle in situe. As the outer cover is glued to the compartrment, I feel this is why many say it is not doable or will not try, I removed the outer from the compartment. It is platic welded together.
At this stage I thought to myself, I will just risk it. I was not going to leave it broken forever. If it doesn't work or I cant fix it, A new one it is.
With slight force from around all edges of the cover I freed the two apart. I could the see how basic it all was. The actual mechanism is seperate to the latch, making it even easier. with only the handle on the cover to rapair.
To repair, I removed the handle completely by gently popping the plasit of the intact side with a small screw driver. Then I could determine my fix. I cut a 100x4mm nail to size so it would sit across the broken side and over to the good side. To make the sufaces level I used a soldering iron to slowly melt down the contact areas to make it a level fit. I used plenty of epoxy to glue the nail in place, as I had melt the bed down to suit it fit well and adhered exceptionally well. I left about 4mm protruding the broken side, to allow me to first slide the hanle on this side the clip on the other.
To affix the cover to the compartment, I used plastic weld/cement, it comes with a primer and chemically melts the two plastics back together. No one could even tell it was repaired.
No for all you hany people out there, this is not a hard job, about 1.5 - 2hrs. It did take some thinking of what the best way to re-sttach a lug for the handle, but knowing that it can be done I hope it makes the job sound a whole lot more doable for anyone that has this problem, now or in the future.
:D