Glove compartment problem

[wolfman]

Re R129 SL500 1990
Has anyone any experience of problems with glove compartment and dash (spectacle) compartment not opening?
Is the operation to open them (pushbuttons next to glove box) mechanical or electrical.
My problem seems to coincide with the installation of new CD/radio

Thks for any assistance
confused of Berkshire

 

[BlackC55]

It is mechanical but I am not sure how it works.

 

[jibcl500]

does the lid on the compartment open or move at all?, its a mechanical switch, I assume its not locked??

There are two screws inside that remove the compartment, the lock is probably the only way to fix this, put a flip key in the lock, you will see a small hole on the side of the barrel, 1mm turn the key to the 7-8 oclock position and insert a thin shaft waggle the key and the barrel should pull out, behind the barrel is a philips screw remove that and the buttons come out and the top lid should open.

jib

 

[jibcl500]

look at this link for more help

jib

http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c133/stats007/?action=view&current=R129D1-DashRemoval.flv

 

[wolfman]

Thanks for the link
That is really helpful.....thankfully it is not a major operation to look at the button mechanisms to the glove and dash compartments.

:grin:

 

[jibcl500]

if you can get the barrel and buttons out then opening the lid will be easy. I have seen the in the past where thye dont open and its because its been forced and broken the plastic.


jib

 

[gazzad]

look at this link for more help

jib

http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c133/stats007/?action=view&current=R129D1-DashRemoval.flv

I have just recently had the same problem after removing the glovebox to thread up an iPod lead from my new head unit, which wasn't that difficult - but I did have trouble getting the lid to glide open when re fitted. Interesting to see that depending on the tightness of the two screws, they can effect the opening of the lid.
BUT my reason for this message is, is the clip shown on Photobucket on a dvd (obviously showing more than glovebox removal)
I have purchased two dvd's from ebay. One the Russian thing, and more recently the official MB service discs (which I still cant get my head round)
But if the clip shown has loads more on the dvd from where it came then, well SUPERB!
I like to have a go, but as there is no Haynes manual for the R129 then I see this as a good alternative.
Anyone know, and if only from ebay, then what is it called as I don't want to duplicate, OR does anyone have a copy and is prepared to burn a copy for me at a price of course!
Thanx.

 

[television]

This problem is due to incorrect fitting of the top compartment, there are two screws at the rear take those out and the box comes out, the left hand side has to be located correctly when you put it back, pressing the release button as you go, do not over tighten the screws they line the box up

 

[Jetset]

Almost 3 years since this thread saw the light of day but I have a similar problem.

Firstly I'd be interested to know if you fixed your problem wolfman.

Secondly, before I stripped the interior out of our W129 SL320 the glovebox always needed a bit of assistance to open fully after pushing the button, and now the glovebox is out of the car it's still the same. I've examined all the moving parts and have applied a little WD to the hinges but it still won't open freely, the flap needs a push all the way. Any suggestions?

A second question I have in regard to the possibility of replacing it with a used one, EPC lists 3 items with the same A1296800391 part number, all applicable to different chassis numbers, the second one is "As of ident number F125158 up to ident ident number 155734" which covers mine which is 1290632. My interior trim code is 265 (mushroom) and this gives and additional 8G16 subcode.

The third item is "As of ident number 155735" and with my trim code it gives an additional subcode of 8F86. I note that Euromerc have one of these 8F86 items in stock, so would it fit or would there have probably been some mechanical or design changes to the compartment from chassis number 155735 onwards such that it wouldn't fit?

Obviously if I can get hold of a similar item where the only difference is the colour of the front flap then that shouldn't be a problem as I could replace the front cover with my own.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[television]

Have you tried turning the knurled nut,,I have the instructions f you would like them

 

[Jetset]

I can see three different nuts on the sides of the compartment, all with springs underneath. As always I'd be grateful for those instructions is they might possibly cure the problem.

 

[television]

Email address please

 

[television]

Details of the adjusting cable sent

 

[Jetset]

Malcolm, thanks for the document; however, I perhaps should have a bit more specific as I was referring to the smaller glove compartment directly above the centre air vents that wolfman and jibcl500 discussed at the beginning of the thread, not the large glove compartment directly in front of the passenger where I have an airbag.

 

[television]

Malcolm, thanks for the document; however, I perhaps should have a bit more specific as I was referring to the smaller glove compartment directly above the centre air vents that wolfman and jibcl500 discussed at the beginning of the thread, not the large glove compartment directly in front of the passenger where I have an airbag.

OK this is called the spectacle compartment

The only adjustment for this box is the two screws at the rear of the box,, you adjust these so that it opens and closes.

There is a hair spring that opens this lid, WD40 is no good for this and PTFE is better, it was made so the the lock should be removed to get this compartment in or out.
The trick is to put the box in with the press lock removed, make sure it opens on the release catch, then fit the lock and adjust the box with the two rear fixing screws

 

[Jetset]

There are springs at either side of the glove/spectacle compartment and I found that the screws securing them were a little overtight. Perhaps they should be, but I loosened them off a little and the lid opens OK now. I've re-greased the springs and moving parts, WD was just a temporary solution to see what wanted loosening up.

I refitted it as instructed with the lock assembly removed, and after refitting the lock assembly I screwed the rear screws in only a little way as any further caused the lid to catch on the section of dash just above it and not open freely.

So, all done now.

 

[television]

I have had my fun and games with those pleased its fixed

 

[Jetset]

I have had my fun and games with those

In what way, can you elaborate a little?

 

[television]

In what way, can you elaborate a little?

I have seen a few in my time where the spectacle compartment will not open, and close,, most people try and do it with the lock in place and they just jam up,, the two rear screws do require a fine adjustment