Glove Box Spring

Discussion in '1960-1966' started by Blues65, Feb 13, 2008.

  1. Blues65

    Blues65 Member

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    Hi Guy's
    I am newly registered to this board but have read many of the threads on this board and found lots of good suggestions and answers. The question I have today is very simple: I have found much of the broken or missing items on my 64 GMC step side short bed pickup in the local junkyards but I was unable to locate a replacement for my broken glove box door return spring. I checked my newest Filling Station catalog and found nothing listed for the early sixty years, I even called them and they stated no one reproduces them. Has anyone on the board found a source for this spring?
     
  2. drabo

    drabo Member

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    Spring???? I just replaced the rubber bumpers and it opens just fine.
     
  3. Blues65

    Blues65 Member

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    On my truck, if you remove the glove box liner and look to the inside right you would see:

    1. The RH circular sliding arm from the glove box door is tied to one spring leg (behind dash board)

    2. a bracket attached to the dash panel is tied to the other leg of the spring.

    3. The spring has 2 or 3 coils and two long (~2 inch) legs.

    4. The spring tention keeps the door upright and closed
     
  4. joe231

    joe231 Member

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    must be a GMC thing, Eh?
     
  5. dvalentine

    dvalentine Charter Member

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    Nope. There IS a spring. Actually it's more of a strap that protudes from the bottom of the glove box door. It's not so much a "return" spring as it is more a method for keeping the door from slamming open.

    I'd keep and eye on e-Bay for glove box doors that still have the metal strap visible.

    Val
     
  6. Blues65

    Blues65 Member

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    Thanks Val:
    Have been looking for a while but nothing has shown up yet. I thought I might try a regular style spring (thinking the two arms may be oriented like a clutch pedal over-center spring) to keep the glove box door upright.
     
  7. gitrunindady

    gitrunindady Member

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    this may be a little ghetto, but couldnt you use an old carb. return spring...cut to fit of course. ive never seen one so i may be talkin out my a$$ but it sounds like its more of a visual thing than operational thing. just my thoughts.
     
  8. Blues65

    Blues65 Member

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    That’s kind of what I was saying but the spring keeps the door closed, with out it the door will flop open every time the truck hits a bump. Your idea is actually less ghetto than the magnetic cabinet ketch I have attached using the lock keeper holes. Its time to do the job right and what I need is the correct part but no one seems to make them.:(
     
  9. dvalentine

    dvalentine Charter Member

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    If the lock catches a bit better it may help keep the door closed. Try bending the retainer, ( inside the glove box door opening at the top ) down just slightly. If you bend it too much, the door will have trouble opening even when the button is pressed, so go a little at a time. The retainer can alo be adjusted slightly by loosening the two screws holding it, and in your case, moving it BACK, into the glove box toward the front of the truck.

    By the way, if the retainer is missing that part IS available through our hosts here at Classic Parts America.

    Val
     
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2008
  10. Blues65

    Blues65 Member

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    The glove box door didn’t have a lock or catch mechanism it relied solely on the spring to keep it upright. The dash is set up to except the retainer but the door just has a hole for #8 or #10 screw for the knob.
     
  11. dvalentine

    dvalentine Charter Member

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    I just realized,,, This is a GMC we are talking about.....

    Forget everything I just said... ;)

    Val
     
  12. Blues65

    Blues65 Member

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    Look what I bought on Ebay for 10 bucks, the spring I was looking for is pictured in the center bottom of the photo. :)
     

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  13. 283 man

    283 man Member

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    Thats a good find and buy off Ebay good job Paul!:D.
     

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