Latch Broke Off 2004 Sierra Glove Box

SierraRed · September 11, 2010

I've really babied my pickup. No one drives it but me. I've had some problems with dealer mechanics getting in a rush or not being careful but the dealer has resolved problems in the past. I've had the door dented, air conditioning duct broken, dash paint scraped off, and wheel inserts scraped! All have been repaired by the dealer.

I always go to the same dealer who sold me the truck. It's in beautiful condition with 65,000 miles. Yesterday, I reached into the glove box latch and pulled it forward to open the box. A small piece of molded plastic from the latch assembly came off in my hand. The plastic is probably 1/16-1/8 inch thick, so it took some force to break it. The last person to open the glove box was the dealer mechanic who inspected in and put the vehicle inspection in the glove box.

I've researched on the net and it looks like you have to replace the whole glove box and it costs at least $200 for the part alone. What do you guys advise? Even though the truck is out of warranty, I wonder if the dealer won't work out something with me. Is this a common problem with the Chevy/GMC pickups?

My last Chevy Silverado ('78) went 326,000 miles with no major engine or transmission work. Course, it was shot when I traded it.

Vortec-Z71 · September 12, 2010

I've really babied my pickup. No one drives it but me. I've had some problems with dealer mechanics getting in a rush or not being careful but the dealer has resolved problems in the past. I've had the door dented, air conditioning duct broken, dash paint scraped off, and wheel inserts scraped! All have been repaired by the dealer.

I always go to the same dealer who sold me the truck. It's in beautiful condition with 65,000 miles. Yesterday, I reached into the glove box latch and pulled it forward to open the box. A small piece of molded plastic from the latch assembly came off in my hand. The plastic is probably 1/16-1/8 inch thick, so it took some force to break it. The last person to open the glove box was the dealer mechanic who inspected in and put the vehicle inspection in the glove box.

I've researched on the net and it looks like you have to replace the whole glove box and it costs at least $200 for the part alone. What do you guys advise? Even though the truck is out of warranty, I wonder if the dealer won't work out something with me. Is this a common problem with the Chevy/GMC pickups?

My last Chevy Silverado ('78) went 326,000 miles with no major engine or transmission work. Course, it was shot when I traded it.

I think the piece you are talking about is used to keep the spring tight so that it doesn't rattle. This piece broke on my truck a little while back. I ended up buying a used glove box on Ebay and just using the latch so that I could keep my VIN sticker.

SierraRed · September 12, 2010

I've really babied my pickup. No one drives it but me. I've had some problems with dealer mechanics getting in a rush or not being careful but the dealer has resolved problems in the past. I've had the door dented, air conditioning duct broken, dash paint scraped off, and wheel inserts scraped! All have been repaired by the dealer.

I always go to the same dealer who sold me the truck. It's in beautiful condition with 65,000 miles. Yesterday, I reached into the glove box latch and pulled it forward to open the box. A small piece of molded plastic from the latch assembly came off in my hand. The plastic is probably 1/16-1/8 inch thick, so it took some force to break it. The last person to open the glove box was the dealer mechanic who inspected in and put the vehicle inspection in the glove box.

I've researched on the net and it looks like you have to replace the whole glove box and it costs at least $200 for the part alone. What do you guys advise? Even though the truck is out of warranty, I wonder if the dealer won't work out something with me. Is this a common problem with the Chevy/GMC pickups?

My last Chevy Silverado ('78) went 326,000 miles with no major engine or transmission work. Course, it was shot when I traded it.

I think the piece you are talking about is used to keep the spring tight so that it doesn't rattle. This piece broke on my truck a little while back. I ended up buying a used glove box on Ebay and just using the latch so that I could keep my VIN sticker.

Yeah, that sounds reasonable and I would prefer to keep the VIN sticker. Sounds like the same piece. The latch door is looser now. Can you tell me how you took the latch out and replaced it with the used one, please. Do you have to take your original box out to do the swap out? Any information on how to do the repair would be really helpful.

Vortec-Z71 · September 12, 2010

You have to remove the entire glove box and drill out the rivets holding the plastic piece with the VIN sticker on it to access the latch. It's a lot of work for such as small piece.

SierraRed · September 12, 2010

You have to remove the entire glove box and drill out the rivets holding the plastic piece with the VIN sticker on it to access the latch. It's a lot of work for such as small piece.

Sounds like it. You just want to shake your head that someone actually approved this design. I love GM products but they've really made some things that won't last. I've got a 2001 Jimmy and the illuminated visor mirror on the driver side just had a plastic clip break off that holds the mirror cover shut. This suv was bought used so I don't know how it was treated, but just like the glove box situation, I've got to locate a used visor and replace the whole thing. My dealer quoted me $200 for a new visor without installation. I'm not a happy camper right now. I don't have money to waste on this kind of stuff.

Anything you can tell me about replacing the assembly or the rivets once they are drilled out? Appreciate your help.