How to: Fix Ashtray that will not stay closed.

[HotRodPC]

I seen someone ask this question not long ago, soooo figured this might be some useful info for some. I'll also go into detail on how to fix an ashtray that opens to far, which in many cases is why it won't stay closed also.

To keep the ashtray up and in closed position, it's spring loaded on both sides. The springs can break or in most cases just come unhooked from where they go.

The complete ashtray assembly must be removed for this repair. Here's a couple of pics to show what you're going to be dealing with. The first pic shows where the spring on one side has come unattached.

 

[HotRodPC]

What you're trying to accomplish is to get the spring fed into the small hole of the ashtray door, and the other end of the spring hooked into the ashtray housing.

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[HotRodPC]

The trick to getting this done, is to bend to the stop tabs up into the housing so that you can open the ash tray door further to set both ends of the spring in their proper location without any tension on the springs. You'll need to set the spring on both sides. Once you get the spring ends where they go, then slowly close the ashtray putting tension on the springs. Then bend the stop tabs back where they were to stop the ashtray door from opening to far. The tabs being bent or broke off is usually why the spring comes out of it's place in the first place. Someone had opened the ashtray to far, taking the spring tension off the springs and allowed them fall out of their location.

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[HotRodPC]

When you get the springs in their proper location, and the stop tabs bent back into to place, this is what the complete assembly should look like with the ash tray door fully opened. At this point it's ready to be re installed into your dash. It's a bit hard to get pics of the exact angles, but the above pics should help you figure it out along with the tip to bend the stop tabs out of the way and open the drawer for easy access and installation of the springs. Your ashtray may only have 1 stop tab bent into position from the factory. I went ahead and bent both of the tabs on reinstall making a bit harder for someone to open the ashtray to far and have the spring or springs fall out again.

Also keep in mind, that ashtray assembly is a PITA to get out from behind the dash. Plan on having to remove the long AC Duct tube that goes accross the the back of the ashtray assembly to be able to get the ashtray assembly removed from behind the dash.

Good Luck !!! If you do this and can provide better pics, more tips or any other advice, please feel free to add to the thread.

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[Stroked]

Good write up! I never realized they had those little springs until I got my 84 K10 and the ash tray wouldn't stay closed.

I was going to ask how the hell you got it out, but I see you addressed that. I was ready to smash it with a sledgehammer by the time I got it free.

 

[highdesertrange]

getting the assembly out of the dash can be a pain in the you know what. highdesertranger

 

[HotRodPC]

Yes getting the ash tray assembly out is a pain in the ass. You will pretty much have to pull the duct tube out to make room to pull the ashtray out.

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[flyboy1100]

Where do i get new springs?

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[brokaw]

Where to find replacement ash tray springs

http://www.classicparts.com/1988-94-Ash-Tray-Door-Spring-Left/productinfo/29-9845/#.VGvOor4xHKA

 

[flyboy1100]

thanks!

 

[flyboy1100]

Where do i get a new right spring? They only have left

 

[HEAVYCHEVY82]

Thanks for this great info

 

[smoothandlow84]

Well...as an alternative to the springs...since mine kept breaking and flying off to who knows where...I installed some rare earth magnets. The magnets are mounted up underneath of the opening and are very strong. No more need of springs.

The magnets can be purchased at Home Depot, Lowes.


Sorry for the hijacked thread.

 

[74 Shortbed]

That's a great idea never thought about that, thanks for posting that..

 

[smoothandlow84]

That's a great idea never thought about that, thanks for posting that..

Sure thing... and the magnets can't be seen unless you look underneath. I probably have 5 springs up under the dash somewhere...lol.