63 American glove box latch - photos?
Printed From: TheAMCForum.com
Category: The Garage
Forum Name: Body/Interior
Forum Description: Paint, glass, interior, rust, sheetmetal goes here.
URL: https://theamcforum.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=108999
Printed Date: Apr/23/2024 at 7:39pm
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Topic: 63 American glove box latch - photos?
Posted By: al1630
Subject: 63 American glove box latch - photos?
Date Posted: Jan/13/2021 at 5:49pm
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Does anyone have a picture of the glove box latch for a 1963 American? There's a photo in the TSM but it's unclear and pretty hard to see what's going on. Mine is all messed up - it looks like half of it broke off at some point. It hangs partially open and sometimes pops open when I go over a bump. I want to see if I could make a replacement part for it. Here are some photos of mine:   ------------- Alex 1963 Rambler American 440H |
Replies:
Posted By: tomj
Date Posted: Jan/13/2021 at 11:55pm
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I think I can tell you what you are looking at: What you see there is the large instrument panel major stamping, the remains of the tab where the latch was attached by two self-tapping bolts with 5/16" hex heads. THe striker itself, which is NOT present, is an L-shaped thing, zinc plated steel, a flat with two holes for the screws, the other portion has a curve stamped into it, to catch the little pot metal hook from the lid-mounted portion. That rough edged metal probably has the remains of the tapped holes. MY GUESS is, at some point in it's history, someone pried the door open, hard. Folded the metal down, ruining everything. The zinc plated thing and screws are long gone. Then they used shears and pliers to trim the bent portion into a striker. That will be a PITA to repair. Not having done this, take this with ten grains of salt: Not in order... Drill a couple three holes in the remaining metal, like 1/8", in a row. Fabricate a strip of steel, 18 gauge or something, 1" wide, 4" long. Affix this to the remaining metal Fold the strip_original remaining metal up to where it wants to live. Drill two holes for the zinc/steel striker. Screw the striker to the strip. IOTW rebuild the ruined metal. Possibly what happened was, the PO couldn't get the door open, and freaked out, and forced it. It is possible to adjust them so that happens. THe trick is -- if you're flexible enough -- is to use a long screw driver and flashlight, slide it in from the radio side, into the glovebox light hole, and lift the latch over the striker. Then adjust it right. ------------- 1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto 1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5 http://www.ramblerLore.com |
Posted By: al1630
Date Posted: Jan/14/2021 at 5:14pm
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Yikes! That does not sound like a fun repair at all. I was looking in my box of parts and found this little L steel on the floor while I was cleaning out the car right after I got it. The holes line up with both the glove box catch holes and the ones where the center console lock is supposed to go (that one is missing too). Is this a latch or just random junk?  ------------- Alex 1963 Rambler American 440H |
Posted By: ramblinrev
Date Posted: Jan/14/2021 at 5:35pm
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That looks like a 'catch'. Yes, the piece of dash sheet metal that holds that catch has been mangled/cut. Wishing you well in repairing it. ------------- 74 Hornet Hatchback X twins (since 1977) 62 American Convertible (still worth the $50 I spent in 1973!) AMCRC #513, AMO #384 70 AMX 360 4-speed (since 1981) |
Posted By: tomj
Date Posted: Jan/14/2021 at 11:13pm
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Yup, that's the/a sucker. See if the holes in it line up with the notch-remains of holes in the sheet metal in your first photo. ------------- 1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto 1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5 http://www.ramblerLore.com |
Posted By: al1630
Date Posted: Jan/16/2021 at 9:39am
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It looks like they do line up with what's left of the holes. At least there's some part of the original mechanism left. ------------- Alex 1963 Rambler American 440H |
Posted By: bigbad69
Date Posted: Jan/16/2021 at 10:08am
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Is the latch locked? Do you have the key? The damage looks suspiciously like the glove box door was forced open because it was locked. If this is the case, I suggest you solve the key/latch problem before re-installing the striker. |
Posted By: al1630
Date Posted: Jan/16/2021 at 10:17am
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The latch seems to open and close ok. Like tomj said, it was probably adjusted wrong and the PO just forced it open. I have keys and it locks and unlocks. ------------- Alex 1963 Rambler American 440H |
Posted By: tomj
Date Posted: Jan/16/2021 at 8:52pm
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There's also a non-lock latch. Beware swapping, there are some that look exactly alike except overall length and/or latch length. Any of them will bolt in the hole 50's through 1969, but only the old ones will work. Maybe juggling the striker to match would work, but I suspect not. ------------- 1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto 1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5 http://www.ramblerLore.com |
Posted By: al1630
Date Posted: Mar/10/2021 at 8:42pm
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Alright, I found an easy, maybe temporary solution. I got some small neodymium magnets and put them on the dash around the door, and now the door stays closed! No more rattle when I'm driving or popping open on a bump! They can be pulled off without too much difficulty, and you can't see them when the box door is shut. Of course, it doesn't lock, but it's not like it was secure to begin with. ------------- Alex 1963 Rambler American 440H |