Console Removal

[hicksjt]

Hello,

1999 Mazda Protege

Any one have experience in disassembling the dashboard to get inside the glove compartment? I went to pull the release handle to open the drawer and it didn't have any tension at all. Strange, I pulled a little harder and it broke off. I just need to some how open the drawer.

Thanks for any feedback.

[Brian MP5T]

What a Bitch. All the bolts and screws are hiddnen by the door.

You might be able to get in from under but any panel that will help you get at it is accesed by frist removing the Glove Box Door..

Shit..

[hicksjt]

What a Bitch. All the bolts and screws are hiddnen by the door.

You might be able to get in from under but any panel that will help you get at it is accesed by frist removing the Glove Box Door..

Shit..

I did get a diagram from the dealer. Unless I'm looking at it wrong doesn't help that much. Appreciate the response.

[mazdaspeed777]

Thats a toughy!! You might just have to force it open and deal with the broken latch, or you could try and reach your arm under the dash and push the glove box open from the inside.

[hicksjt]

Thats a toughy!! You might just have to force it open and deal with the broken latch, or you could try and reach your arm under the dash and push the glove box open from the inside.

I've thought about just prying it open :(

Then again, I do have long arms. I might just give that a try. Talk about being in an awkward position :)

[Brian MP5T]

Sorry, I didn't really expect that to help. More to let you know that if you feel stumped, dont feel dumb, you have a legit nightmare there.

If you can find a used door for that exact color of dash cheap on E-Bay you could cut it with a jigsaw and simply attack it directly. I would try to F with it before getting to that point..

[hicksjt]

Sorry, I didn't really expect that to help. More to let you know that if you feel stumped, dont feel dumb, you have a legit nightmare there.

If you can find a used door for that exact color of dash cheap on E-Bay you could cut it with a jigsaw and simply attack it directly. I would try to F with it before getting to that point..

Ha, ha. Sounds good :)

[boweasel]

Was there any resolution to this problem? The exact thing just happened to MY 1999 Protege - the latch simply will not open, and the complete lack of tension seems to prove that is it broken...

I bought a new glove box latch from the dealer, and armed with the dealer's diagram, spent 45 frustrating minutes trying to figure out just how to open the compartment.

Then I thought I'd go online and see if anyone had any thoughts...

[hicksjt]

Was there any resolution to this problem? The exact thing just happened to MY 1999 Protege - the latch simply will not open, and the complete lack of tension seems to prove that is it broken...

I bought a new glove box latch from the dealer, and armed with the dealer's diagram, spent 45 frustrating minutes trying to figure out just how to open the compartment.

Then I thought I'd go online and see if anyone had any thoughts...

Hi boweasel,

Since the handle broke off I basically "popped" the compartment off by pulling from the bottom (hinges) first and then on the top. Not sure if that was THE way but it worked. Don't think this damaged the glove box but I would just be careful :)

JT

[boweasel]

Did you attempt pushing the glove compartment out from behind? Or couldn't you get your arm in there? And when you popped the compartment from the bottom, did you have to unscrew anything?

[hicksjt]

Did you attempt pushing the glove compartment out from behind? Or couldn't you get your arm in there? Yes. I do have long arms.

And when you popped the compartment from the bottom, did you have to unscrew anything? Nope. No tools. Again, I'm not sure if this was the CORRECT way to disassemble it :)

[boweasel]

Okay, I got the BOTTOM part of the glove compartment loose, but the top part is still attached. Do I just yank downward, or is it bolted ?

[hicksjt]

Okay, I got the BOTTOM part of the glove compartment loose, but the top part is still attached. Do I just yank downward, or is it bolted ?

I unlatched mine and pulled at the same time. It may just be hinged (not bolted) but I'm not 100% sure. Just be careful :)

[boweasel]

I did finally get the damn thing off. I was able to get the bottom free, but the top part would not open - the latch was engaged with the metal bar that keeps the compartment closed, and if I tried yanking on the top I would have destroyed the whole glove box area.

What I did was break off the plastic latch cover, and insert a little screwdriver into a slot. And when I pulled down on the screrwdriver the latch disengaged from behind the bar, and the box popped open. Then I simply unscrewed the old, now broken, latch and put in a new one.

[hicksjt]

I did finally get the damn thing off. I was able to get the bottom free, but the top part would not open - the latch was engaged with the metal bar that keeps the compartment closed, and if I tried yanking on the top I would have destroyed the whole glove box area.

Glad it worked out for you.

What I did was break off the plastic latch cover, and insert a little screwdriver into a slot. And when I pulled down on the screrwdriver the latch disengaged from behind the bar, and the box popped open. Then I simply unscrewed the old, now broken, latch and put in a new one.

Good to know, thanks.