Sag...What's the Cause?

[m3f_NolliM3]

If anything, buy a new vent trim, which will have good hooks and should take away the sag.


And of course make sure the glovebox is properly fitted. Otherwise there will be play between the glovebox and vent trim, regardless of the hooks. Although not as bad as broken hooks.

M_Parallel, is this what the clip looks like (see yellow arrow in pic taken from Pelican)?

[m3f_NolliM3]

Well, apparently according to Pelican, one can get the hook ordered from BMW for $9.50 each (needs two items, 6) #51161977382...no need to buy the vent/trim unit which most likely be ten times the price or more.

[m3f_M_Parallel]

No, the hooks are part of the vent trim, #9. That's why I said get a new vent trim.


It's not part of the lock/catch. The hook is moulded on the plastic.

[m3f_Braymond141]

Just hold on, I'll post the pics tonight.


The molded in center vent hooks are way more durable than Mpar makes them out to be. I doubt yours are broken.

[m3f_NolliM3]

Just hold on, I'll post the pics tonight.



The molded in center vent hooks are way more durable than Mpar makes them out to be. I doubt yours are broken.

Please remember to post pics Braymond...thanks.

[m3f_M_Parallel]

Just hold on, I'll post the pics tonight.


The molded in center vent hooks are way more durable than Mpar makes them out to be. I doubt yours are broken.

My experience. They bend very easily. And seeing how they are moulded into the vent piece, I can understand why.


If not broken, then they sure are bent. Which will make it sag just as bad. Trying to bend them back, is a guaranteed break-off.

[m3f_M3AN]

In my experience they're also quite easy to bend/snap. But I'm an oaf.


And you need part #3 on the previous diagram, not #9 I believe.

[m3f_M_Parallel]

In my experience they're also quite easy to bend/snap. But I'm an oaf.



And you need part #3 on the previous diagram, not #9 I believe.

Damnit, I still typed #9. Yes #3 is the vent trim piece.

[m3f_Braymond141]

The wide open gap you show is likely the vent section hooks not properly installed into the glovebox opening. Check them and don't just assume they are broken. They are decently durable.



Gaps after that are; Glovebox door glue let go, warpage of the door, cracks in the door, cracks that hold the catch to the door and warpage of the vent section.



Here are the hooks







Here is what is happening when the hooks are not installed correctly (I'm yanking on it so this is extreme)







Here is how it should look if there is no warping

[m3f_NolliM3]

The wide open gap you show is likely the vent section hooks not properly installed into the glovebox opening. Check them and don't just assume they are broken. They are decently durable.



Gaps after that are; Glovebox door glue let go, warpage of the door, cracks in the door, cracks that hold the catch to the door and warpage of the vent section.



Here are the hooks







Here is what is happening when the hooks are not installed correctly (I'm yanking on it so this is extreme)







Here is how it should look if there is no warping

Awesome sauce...thanks Braymond...I think you might have a point. I was expecting the hook to look flimsy...not robust as it seems. I will check mine.

[m3f_NolliM3]

Just to follow-up with the outcome, the pic below shows improvement compared to the first despite the glovebox cover has a slight wrap on the right side. The tabs were intact as Braymond suggested it would and glad he took the time to demonstrate.

[m3f_Anubis]

Just to follow-up with the outcome, the pic below shows improvement compared to the first despite the glovebox cover has a slight wrap on the right side. The tabs were intact as Braymond suggested it would and glad he took the time to demonstrate.

Also, when you install the vent section back in, don't overtighten the screws on it. You may have to let them back out just a little bit so that the vent section sits in flush with the main body of the glovebox, which in turn allows the lid to sit properly.



It is indeed a strange design, and although my lid was nice and tight 10 years ago, after removing it nearly a dozen times, there is a very slight gap. The gap on mine is still a good bit smaller than the gap on yours, though.



Play around with the screws and gentle hand pressure while reassembling the vent system and see if you can get it right.



Also, I open/close my glovebox twice a day nearly every single day, and have only ever managed to break the little black plastic "hinge"on the right side once. Now that is a weird design.

[m3f_M_Parallel]

...Also, I open/close my glovebox twice a day nearly every single day, and have only ever managed to break the little black plastic "hinge"on the right side once. Now that is a weird design.

Happend on my 328i. Hate it.


On my M3 I'm so OCD, that even though it has the damper on the right hinge (I only found out a few years ago early model gloveboxes have no lid damper at all) or maybe because of it, because as you say, that is even worse designed than the hook/catch and easily breakes.


So when I open it, while having the damper, I still put my hand underneath so the full weight of the lid doesn't exert any force on the hinge/damper.


BMW does sell just the lid (at an arm and a leg's price), but I studied mine for so long, but I don't see how you would ever remove just the lid without breaking off the pivot points. So I'm just going to try a good plastic glue and see from there.

[m3f_BMWManiac]

I took mine apart this weekend and confirmed:


The two tabs were bent inward. I bent them back and installed the glovebox with the vents together and it did make an improvement.


I also noticed that the dampener was broke from both the lid and the part itself. I just sucked it up and bought a new vent piece, lid, and dampener so I can have a glovebox that completely shuts!

[m3f_NolliM3]

Also, when you install the vent section back in, don't overtighten the screws on it. You may have to let them back out just a little bit so that the vent section sits in flush with the main body of the glovebox, which in turn allows the lid to sit properly.



It is indeed a strange design, and although my lid was nice and tight 10 years ago, after removing it nearly a dozen times, there is a very slight gap. The gap on mine is still a good bit smaller than the gap on yours, though.



Play around with the screws and gentle hand pressure while reassembling the vent system and see if you can get it right.



Also, I open/close my glovebox twice a day nearly every single day, and have only ever managed to break the little black plastic "hinge"on the right side once. Now that is a weird design.

Cool Anubis...I tighten it in hope to avoid any cabin noise from pass experience; however, now that the hooks are in place I will ease off a bit and see.