My 2000 RX300 glove box lid is very hard to close compared to my other cars. I have to slam close it.
It will be great if someone knows how to fix it. Otherwise I just have to live with it.

Has the problem developed over time? Or copped up after something snagged in the catch? Or it fas been bad since day 1.

First empty the compartment. Then check for any play in the hinges. Once blockages are removed and proper tracking is achieved, examine the hook and the catch. If those have not worn out, all you need to do is reshape the hook.

Salim

Thank you Salim for the reply.
It is not from day 1 otherwise I wouldn't have bought it. However, it's been like that for many years.
Recently I took the lid apart for not for fixing it but for other small mods, and I didn't see anything wrong with any of its parts.
Yes I will try reshaping the hook.

By the way, the closed lid still have quite a bit of play if I push the lid in the middle point (at the hook).

On the metal latching wire at the top of the glove box (that the hook in the lid latches on to) there is a plastic tube about 1/2" long on the metal. Make sure this is centered.

Yes -- Keith is right. I had a similar problem, and centering that plastic tube helped! I hope that's all the problem is.

I forgot to post back that Mine is centered. If I get time I will take things apart again see what else I can do to it.

Any way for you to visualize the alignment of the catch and the rod?

Very old trick is to use carbon paper [old typewriters used it to make duplicates].

Salim

Good grief, I've been dealing with this issue for years. After I read your post, I decided to check the plastic tube and shifted it slightly to the right and it's fixed! Thank you so much!

RX 300 year 2000 model. Glove box won't stay closed. Tried several suggestions but nothing works. Does anyone know an inexpensive way to fix or replace the door and/or latch mechanism?

After reading this thread I saw the door was closing too far to the right of the D catch. So I pushed the plastic tube to the right and the next time when I closed it, I pulled the door to the left at the same time and... <click>.
But I knew I would soon fall back on my old ways so with a pair of needle nosed pliers I twisted the D catch a little to the right. It's not healed 100% but it's better.

This worked for me, Plastic tab may not be as noticeable because it's black and matches the latch color. Thanks

I took another look and found the tube was off center. I centered it and it is noticeably easier to close, although it is not as easy as my other car's. I didn't do a good job last time.
I wonder what if I remove the tube? It might bounce without the tube as a cushion.

I don't know, but I wonder if it would no longer really "catch" without the tube in place.

And the metal to metal rattle.

Salim

One detail I noticed. I centered the tube, pushed the lid in the middle, it locks fine. tried it many times and all good. Tried to push right side of the lid many times all good. However, I tried push the left side to close / lock it as if I am in the driver seat, it's very hard to close the lid, depending how far to the left, and it takes just one time the tube moved to left side of the wire. Something is not symmetrical.

I dropped some super glue on left side of the tube.