Console latch repair . . .
05-05-2011, 08:58 PM
#21
Safety Car
Member Since: Sep 2008
Location: Allen Park MI
Posts: 4,408
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mine still works but I admit I'm gentle with it. And I've never tried to lock it (useless to lock it anyway). I'm also gentle with the glove box door as I know that's a flawed design too.
07-26-2013, 10:02 PM
#23
Advanced
Member Since: Apr 2012
Location: Rensselaer New York
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is great info! I'm going to have to do this...Mine was broken when the dealership replaced the shorter on my car and they're the biggest PIA's and don't want to deal with the headache of trying to prove they did it...Thanks for this thread
02-07-2014, 08:45 PM
#24
Melting Slicks
latch
So, am I the ONLY one to have broken the dinky little plastic latch off of my center console lid ? ? ? 
Yes, the lid will stay down nicely with the assistance of gravity, but I have an '06 model with a LOCKING console lid, so having the latch is kind of nice.
Gluing the broken plastic one back on didn't work (and I didn't expect it to), so I replaced it with aluminum and steel.
I filed a new 6061-T6 aluminum latch to shape, twice as thick where it joins the platform, drilled and tapped it for a 6-32 screw, and screwed and epoxied it to the platform. A little work with the Dremel tool and a bit of test-fitting made it work just fine. You can see the tapered section of the screw where the latch was ground down at the correct angle to work.
IMO this is how GM shoulda done it it the first place. This one is NOT gonna break . . . .
Yes, the lid will stay down nicely with the assistance of gravity, but I have an '06 model with a LOCKING console lid, so having the latch is kind of nice.
Gluing the broken plastic one back on didn't work (and I didn't expect it to), so I replaced it with aluminum and steel.
I filed a new 6061-T6 aluminum latch to shape, twice as thick where it joins the platform, drilled and tapped it for a 6-32 screw, and screwed and epoxied it to the platform. A little work with the Dremel tool and a bit of test-fitting made it work just fine. You can see the tapered section of the screw where the latch was ground down at the correct angle to work.
IMO this is how GM shoulda done it it the first place. This one is NOT gonna break . . . .
when i break mine ill take you up on your offer
02-09-2014, 04:22 PM
#25
It might be an old thread to some but it still applies. We didn't even own a Corvette when this thread was started but we, like a lot of others, are learning from it. Be careful if you are removing the lid. The plastic around the hinge screws is pretty poor stuff and can be messed up pretty easily. Nice repair by the way.
02-12-2014, 09:03 AM
#27
You are not the only one . . .
Broke my console latch while installing a new padded leather cover. After calling around for a price on a replacement (BTW, Jim Ellis Chevrolet in Atlanta wants more than $50 - in advance - special order) then I started thinking about how to repair my broken latch.
Finally, I thought do I really need the latch. So I put my newly covered console cover back on the car . . . and it is fine! The hinge has a decently strong spring which holds it tightly closed (latch is not really necessary).
Had a cold one and admired my new cover, Monterey red in a tan interior.
Finally, I thought do I really need the latch. So I put my newly covered console cover back on the car . . . and it is fine! The hinge has a decently strong spring which holds it tightly closed (latch is not really necessary).
Had a cold one and admired my new cover, Monterey red in a tan interior.
02-12-2014, 12:56 PM
#28
Agreed. I've been on this forum for over six years and have done numerous searches; when people pull up old threads such as this it is exceptionally beneficial to those either did not see the original thread or are new to the Corvette world.
Although the multiple dupe threads (the whole sinkhole thing comes to mind) are a waste of bandwidth I find re-publicizing threads like this help a lot.
For the OP: nice job on the repair. My lid has developed this thing of not latching unless I push down on the latch itself, so this thread is very appropriate for me.
07-12-2015, 06:42 PM
#29
Cruising
Center Console Latch
08-01-2015, 09:10 AM
#31
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Miami FL
Posts: 4,598
Received 69 Likes
on
45 Posts
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16,'17,'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
No more aluminum
I have long since misplaced the aluminum extrusion that supplied the raw material. So I have to withdraw the offer to send a piece to those who are interested. But I am happy to see that this old thread is still useful to the C6 crowd.
- Lee
- Lee
03-29-2016, 06:34 PM
#32
2nd Gear
Member Since: Mar 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So, am I the ONLY one to have broken the dinky little plastic latch off of my center console lid ? ? ?
Yes, the lid will stay down nicely with the assistance of gravity, but I have an '06 model with a LOCKING console lid, so having the latch is kind of nice.
Gluing the broken plastic one back on didn't work (and I didn't expect it to), so I replaced it with aluminum and steel.
I filed a new 6061-T6 aluminum latch to shape, twice as thick where it joins the platform, drilled and tapped it for a 6-32 screw, and screwed and epoxied it to the platform. A little work with the Dremel tool and a bit of test-fitting made it work just fine. You can see the tapered section of the screw where the latch was ground down at the correct angle to work.
IMO this is how GM shoulda done it it the first place. This one is NOT gonna break . . . .
Yes, the lid will stay down nicely with the assistance of gravity, but I have an '06 model with a LOCKING console lid, so having the latch is kind of nice.
Gluing the broken plastic one back on didn't work (and I didn't expect it to), so I replaced it with aluminum and steel.
I filed a new 6061-T6 aluminum latch to shape, twice as thick where it joins the platform, drilled and tapped it for a 6-32 screw, and screwed and epoxied it to the platform. A little work with the Dremel tool and a bit of test-fitting made it work just fine. You can see the tapered section of the screw where the latch was ground down at the correct angle to work.
IMO this is how GM shoulda done it it the first place. This one is NOT gonna break . . . .
03-29-2016, 06:40 PM
#33
03-29-2016, 06:46 PM
#34
Le Mans Master
you can buy short lengths of small aluminum or steel angle stock at Home Depot and Lowes. Check in the hardware aisle. They both have a rack of light metal shapes. Usually a couple of feet long.
03-30-2016, 06:12 AM
#35
2nd Gear
Member Since: Mar 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm wondering if I can cut down a thin piece of steel shim to the exact size of the vertical part of the latch and glue it to the back for support? Ever try that? The small part at the bottom of the latch is still hanging on by a thread on mine.
Last edited by Theresa's Husband; 03-30-2016 at 06:13 AM.
04-19-2016, 02:04 PM
#36
Intermediate
The spring that pushes the latch button on my 94 broke. I couldn't find a spring around to fit. So, I used some sponge rubber to replace the spring. I used the sponge rubber used to insulate pipes. Cut a small piece and pushed it up behind the button where the spring once was located. The result is a nice tight fit and a working latch. If and when the rubber wears out, it is a quick and easy replacement repair.
03-05-2018, 10:45 AM
#37
2nd Gear
Member Since: Mar 2018
Location: Quakertown PA
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So, am I the ONLY one to have broken the dinky little plastic latch off of my center console lid ? ? ?
Yes, the lid will stay down nicely with the assistance of gravity, but I have an '06 model with a LOCKING console lid, so having the latch is kind of nice.
Gluing the broken plastic one back on didn't work (and I didn't expect it to), so I replaced it with aluminum and steel.
I filed a new 6061-T6 aluminum latch to shape, twice as thick where it joins the platform, drilled and tapped it for a 6-32 screw, and screwed and epoxied it to the platform. A little work with the Dremel tool and a bit of test-fitting made it work just fine. You can see the tapered section of the screw where the latch was ground down at the correct angle to work.
IMO this is how GM shoulda done it it the first place. This one is NOT gonna break . . . .
Yes, the lid will stay down nicely with the assistance of gravity, but I have an '06 model with a LOCKING console lid, so having the latch is kind of nice.
Gluing the broken plastic one back on didn't work (and I didn't expect it to), so I replaced it with aluminum and steel.
I filed a new 6061-T6 aluminum latch to shape, twice as thick where it joins the platform, drilled and tapped it for a 6-32 screw, and screwed and epoxied it to the platform. A little work with the Dremel tool and a bit of test-fitting made it work just fine. You can see the tapered section of the screw where the latch was ground down at the correct angle to work.
IMO this is how GM shoulda done it it the first place. This one is NOT gonna break . . . .
Thanks in Advance!
03-05-2018, 12:19 PM
#38
Drifting
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...lid-latch.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ch-update.html
03-07-2018, 08:57 AM
#40
Advanced
Thank you so much for your help and the pic's you provided. Members like you are what makes this forum so valuable. Best regards
Last edited by Pegaso; 03-07-2018 at 08:58 AM. Reason: spelling