Honda Genuine 77540-S9A-G01ZA Glove Box Lock Assembly - Black OEM Replacement Part for Secure Storage | Compatible with Honda Vehicles for Enhanced Cabin Security

Five stars for perfect fit of the latch and solving the glovebox-stuck-closed problem. We have two 2005 Honda Elements, both of which have needed this fix.The way you will discover that you need a new glovebox latch is that you will be unable to open your glovebox. It will behave as if locked, even if it's not. To open the glovebox, you have to pop off the plastic escutcheon that surrounds the lock portion of the latch. You can do this with a plastic pry tool or (carefully) with a small, flat screwdriver. Don't worry if you break it, though, since the new latch comes with a new escutcheon. With the escutcheon removed, you'll be able to fit a thin screwdriver or similar prying tool into the top of the latch through the opening that now exists to the left of the lock. You need to push the tool into that space about an inch and a half at about 45 degrees toward the left (away from the lock). You will be attempting to push downward on the latch where it comes up into the bail that holds the box closed. Once you get it open, you'll find it easier to do the next time (hopefully never), because you can then see exactly what you were trying to push down, and where exactly it is. Once open, empty the glovebox of its contents and use a stubby phillips head screwdriver to remove the two screws holding the old latch in place.Now that you're celebrating finally getting into your formerly inaccessible glovebox, take the opportunity to remove it entirely so that you can replace your two cabin filters that are hidden behind it. If you've never done this before, they definitely need it! I was amazed at how much better my ventilation system worked after doing this! There are youtube videos to explain this process. If you're ordering the latch, order the filters at the same time.These latches come with a pair of keys that fit the lock, but no one wants to carry an extra key for the glovebox, especially since the door locks tend to go bad on these, also, making three keys for one vehicle! I suppose if you never lock your glovebox, you can just ignore the new keys.However, if like me, you like your vehicle to remain fully functional as new, you can replace the new lock with the one from your broken latch so the original ignition key will still fit the glovebox. If so, you'll probably agree that this is not all that easy. Hence, the three stars for ease of installation.To do this, you need to push the pivot pin out of the black plastic latch and remove the lock-securing screw. Then the lock with its attached lever can be removed. The old lock and lever can then be installed in the new latch assembly. The tricky part is to get the spring in the proper location before sliding the pin back in place. There are grooves in the metal part that orient the spring correctly, but you may have to play with it until you figure out the correct placement. This was much easier on the second Element, because of the experience I gained from the first.I docked a star for value for money because these really should cost half as much by my reckoning, but in comparison shopping, Amazon did have the best price, as well as the fastest shipping. Also, these are poorly designed for longevity, while well designed for planned obsolescence. The part that breaks on these is a plastic rod that is not as beefy as it could be without modifying the fit of the latch into the glovebox. This same rod broke on both of our Elements (as well as many, many more based on the number of youtube videos addressing the same problem). To get these to last as long as possible, push in on the latch as you lift it. This reduces the strain on the plastic rod. If you keep your glovebox locked, lifting the latch will not strain the rod, but of course, it will not open the glovebox, either. So maybe keep the glovebox locked so that anyone not familiar with the need to push before lifting can't break the rod before you provide the key and with it, the instruction for how to properly open the glovebox!