Article by: Ralph
Article applies to: e32 models with a Driver’s side glovebox.
Problem: The driver’s glovebox latch became detached and the door hung loose.
Possible fix: Make a new spring, or if you are lucky, find the old spring somewhere under the seat.
Removing the glovebox:
If you want to remove the glovebox, remove the three screws at the bottom, and unhook the strap from the box (you need to push in a clip from behind).
The latch in all its looseness, with the spring I found under the seat:
Closeup of the spring:
If you don’t have the old one, you can probably make your own from steel wire or a big paperclip.
Remove the 5 screws from the back of the lock.
The only thing to keep an eye out for is that the two screws on the right have a different thread than the other three, so make sure to install those in the same place when you put it back together:
Remove the latch from it’s housing by carefully bending the housing outwards, and pulling the latch out:
Insert the spring as shown below, and then insert the latch again:
Put everything back together, and you are all done!