I had this happen to me and found some but not much detailed description of the problem so I will share my diagnosis and solution. Like many others with this problem it most likely started with changing the cabin air filter. You pull out the 2 clips at the top of the inside of the glove box to allow it to rescind further down thinking that will give you the clearance you need to remove the cabin air filter. However, this little soft open thingy is very easy to break on the little grey color cap and then the whole things just falls out and your soft open is gone.
It is attached to the left side of the glove box and as most all have said it is hard to get to. In some cases the grey cap is not damaged and can just be popped back on. In other cases like mine the grey cap is damaged beyond repair. I thought about taping it with electrical tape and it may have been able to withstand the mild amount of pressure forced upon it but I decided to replace it.
New OEM soft open dampers can cost online between $50-$100. I was able to find an sedan at a local salvage yard which I was able to pull this piece from and it was not damaged. Cha....ching!!! Removing the entire glove box was actually the easiest way by far to access the soft open device. There are 5 phillip screws and 1 hex nut. All were able to be removed with hand tools. Once removed just tug on the left side of the glove box and work it to the right and the whole thing comes loose. Disconnect whatever wires you feel comfortable with (light, trunk lock for me) and super easy to access the soft close damper. I replaced the damper and reinstalled everything as is good as new. The last thing I did was connect the damper arm to the side of the glove box.
I also salvaged a replacement door weatherstripping piece so when I got back to the salvage yard register the guy had no idea how to look up the soft open damper so he only charged me $5 for the door weatherstripping.
It is attached to the left side of the glove box and as most all have said it is hard to get to. In some cases the grey cap is not damaged and can just be popped back on. In other cases like mine the grey cap is damaged beyond repair. I thought about taping it with electrical tape and it may have been able to withstand the mild amount of pressure forced upon it but I decided to replace it.
New OEM soft open dampers can cost online between $50-$100. I was able to find an sedan at a local salvage yard which I was able to pull this piece from and it was not damaged. Cha....ching!!! Removing the entire glove box was actually the easiest way by far to access the soft open device. There are 5 phillip screws and 1 hex nut. All were able to be removed with hand tools. Once removed just tug on the left side of the glove box and work it to the right and the whole thing comes loose. Disconnect whatever wires you feel comfortable with (light, trunk lock for me) and super easy to access the soft close damper. I replaced the damper and reinstalled everything as is good as new. The last thing I did was connect the damper arm to the side of the glove box.
I also salvaged a replacement door weatherstripping piece so when I got back to the salvage yard register the guy had no idea how to look up the soft open damper so he only charged me $5 for the door weatherstripping.
