1956-62 Corvette Set Separator (Glove Box) Lock Removal The materials here were gathered from several Corvette Forum Threads as well as from the Web Pages of Rich Mozzetta (rich5962 on the CF). Our colleagues John Mc Graw, Tom Parsons, JohnZ and Rich Mozzetta provide very useful information regarding the removal of the lock cylinder from the door of the Seat Separator (Glove Box). Thanks to all of them for their constant help here and elsewhere. Dave Zuberer A recent thread (6-20-2015) C1 Glove box lock removal? http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c1-and-c2-corvettes/2131843-glove-box-lock-removal.html Lrsmith Trying to get the lock out of my glove box (1961) and I thought there was a ring on the back and it slipped out. For some reason, I can't figure this one out even from the assembly manual. Someone enlighten me please... John McGraw If you look inside the glove box door, you will see a small hole at the top of the lock body. With the key in the lock, insert a paper clip in the hole and it will release the lock cylinder from the lock body. You have to have the key inserted to pull back all the lock wafers, and then the paper clip pushes back the last retaining wafer. After the cylinder is out, if you look inside the Bezel, you will see that is intended to be wrenched off from the inside of the bezel (see pic below). You don't need the special tool, just a large screwdriver or a chisel that will jam in the pattern and allow you to unscrew the bezel. If you do not have a key, you almost have to wrench the bezel off with a pair of pliers from the outside edge, but this is hard to do without ruining the paint or bezel. Just a note: Make sure that when you put the cylinder back in, that you put it in right-side up! It will go in either way, but there is no release hole in the bottom of the body, and getting it out ever again will be hard. Make sure the lock wafers are pointing up when you install the cylinder. To remove the bezel, insert a large screw Regards, John McGraw driver, chisel or a piece of metal barstock that spans octagonal opening. Or, Vettefred make a tool as described by Rich M on pg. 10. Great info John! I have a locking glove box also but I have no key that will lock it. How can I get the cylinder out? Use a pick to suppress the lock wafers then use the paper clip? I have a new replacement cylinder and key. Your thoughts...thanks. Fred John McGraw Fred, If you are very patient, you can use the paper clip to depress each wafer in sequence as you pull the cylinder out. Just get it past the retaining wafer and then depress the next one through the hole and pull the cylinder out one more notch. Eventually, you will get it completely out! Regards, John McGraw 1
And, here is another thread in which Tom Parsons (DZAuto) posted some how to photos: http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c1-and-c2-corvettes/1897197-62-vette-glove-box-lock-removal.html C6-13thOilotCar I need input on the proper way to remove the lock cylinder, lock and trim from my glove box between the seats on the 62. DZAUTO OK, here is how it's done. FIRST: Insert the key and turn the lock cylinder straight up and down. SECOND: Insert a skinny, pointed object into this hole. 2
THIRD: With the lock cylinder (key) straight up and down, this pin will be aligned with the hole. Use the skinny, pointed object to depress this pin and then pull the lock cylinder out of the lock housing. FOURTH: Once the lock cylinder is removed, you will need to find some kind of tool to insert into the bezel (octagon hole) and unscrew it. Re-assemble in reverse order. Tom Parsons JohnZ When you put it back together, DO NOT put the lock cylinder into the case upside-down, or you'll NEVER get it out again. DZAUTO OH JOHN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so glad that you pointed that out. I forgot to mention it. Tom Parsons 3
John McGraw Quote: Originally Posted by JohnZ When you put it back together, DO NOT put the lock cylinder into the case upside-down, or you'll NEVER get it out again. John, I did that once, even though I knew better, I just was not paying attention! I ended up trashing the bezel getting it wrenched off, and had to buy a new one! I also had to repaint the glove box door. Regards, John McGraw 1960fi Well, maybe this one is installed upside down? Procedure not working. When the key/lock is vertical, is the "rounded" part of the slot supposed to be "up" or "down"? 1960fi Also, should the procedure be performed with the key in the lock? John McGraw The "teeth" of the key should be facing up when in the unlocked position. Also, the key has to be in the lock when you remove the core. If the teeth are pointed down, you will not be able to remove the core unless you wrench the bezel off with a pair of pliers. Sometimes, the bezel is not very tight, and you can get it off without damaging the bezel of the door, but sometimes... 1960fi I was afraid of that---looks like someone installed it upside down at some point in time. Oh well, here we go tearing something up while in the process of trying to improve things. Thanks John, G 4
And here is the write-up based on Rich Mozzetta s web page info: 1956 to 1962 Corvette Glove Box Lock To remove the lock cylinder, use a small pick tool to release the lock tumbler. This tumbler is the most forward tab, and is not part of the key tumbler mechanism. The key activates the four other tumblers. Here are pictures of the parts. The small ring comes with the reproduction lock sets. Do not use it. It makes it more difficult to remove the tumbler. The bezel is threaded to mate with the threaded lock-cylinder housing. The housing and lock cylinder. Note the 2 small access holes in the housing. This is to allow removal of the cylinder from the housing. The red pointer shows the lock tumbler on the cylinder. When mounted in the door, the lower one pictured is the top hole (when locked), the other is the side (when unlocked). 5
I've marked the lock tumbler blue so you can see the lock tumbler easier when it's in the housing. I marked the red areas to show how it mates inside when inserted. This is the locked position, when the key slot is vertical. The red area on the cylinder hits the raised area of the housing to prevent it from pushing the latch lever to open the lock tumbler. 6
Here the lock cylinder is inserted in the housing. You can see the blue lock tumbler through the hole. This is the locked position. Turning the cylinder to the right (CW), will move the end of the cylinder away from the shelf inside to allow it to be pushed against the lock tumbler lever to release the lock tumbler and unlocks the mechanism. 7
The key isn't necessary to push the button; it s just easier to show here. Now, to remove the lock cylinder from the housing, simply use a sharp pick tool to push on the small lock tumbler while pushing outward, and pulling outward on the tumbler. Do this without the key in the slot, as it will prevent the lock tumbler from being depressed. 8
Locked Unlocked Key and tumbler positions: No key; all tumblers raised. Lock-tab tumbler is always raised, but can be pushed down. Key inserted; all tumblers lowered, lock-tab tumbler always raised and is held up by key. 9
Assembly: You can make a tool from a long 5/16" bolt. Just grind it to make it fit. Put 2 nuts tightly on the end. Use a wrench on either nut to loosen or tighten in the housing. The bezel screws into the housing. An octagonal tool is used to screw in the bezel, then without the key, the lock cylinder is pushed into the housing. The lock tumbler is pushed down when it goes in. You can use a pick tool to push it in (see photos below). 10
Lock tumbler Push lock tumbler down to insert cylinder How do you get this apart if the glove box is locked and no key? You will have to remove the bezel with a tool. This may cause damage. Try squeezing carefully with pliers. Protect the door paint with a heavy layer of tape. Another method I've used is a rubber jar opener. If you damage the bezel they are available from most suppliers. Rich Mozzetta PDF created by Dave Zuberer in collaboration with Rich. http://home.comcast.net/~richmz/site/?/page/1956_to_1962_corvette_glove_box_lock/ 11