Hard top latch problem

[Stewart A.]

My hard top drivers side latch keeps opening when I hit a large bump in the road. It sounds like the adjustable plate might be worn. If I shift the adjuster plate up and re tighten the screws it holds for a while, then flops down again after a few large bumps. Are there any other parts I should be looking at. Stewy

[Richard M.]

Re: Hard top latch problem

Stewy,

You may also want to check that the screws are not bottoming in the post. May also be a worn header weatherstrip, not giving the thickness to properly compress.

Rich

[Stewart A.]

Re: Hard top latch problem

I just pulled it apart. The spring was folded up in the latch and was not holding the latch up when it popped. The two rivets have been replaced that hold the latch to the body plate and when compressed the latch hits the head of the nut. Therefore stopping the latch from clasping the roof correctly. I have turned the screws around so the bolts are against the body of the cars top bow. I elongated the holes in the latch plate to hide the nuts and machined the plate to a perfect flat finish. Screwed the latch back on and it's now clasping all the up, working like a new one. It will get me out of a pickle for the mean time. I shall order a new one asap. It's great to fiddle with these things. Now I know how they work it's an interesting lesson for me. Stewy

[Steven B.]

Re: Hard top latch problem

Glad it works Stewy! Are the grooves on the plates where they face each other worn?

Steve

[Roy B.]

Re: Hard top latch problem

My hard top drivers side latch keeps opening when I hit a large bump in the road. It sounds like the adjustable plate might be worn. If I shift the adjuster plate up and re tighten the screws it holds for a while, then flops down again after a few large bumps. Are there any other parts I should be looking at. Stewy

This may help you in buying the right one

[Stewart A.]

Re: Hard top latch problem

Steven the grooves are ok. The latch is 50 years old and has been through the wars. I have made it work for now but it's on borrowed time. A new pair will function properly and also look great. I have already seen some lies on ebay saying NOS but are really not correct. It takes a few hours with one and you know the ins and outs of them. Corvette Central sell very good copies I can't pick the difference. They look spot on and really, really shiny. Can somone lend me $200 Dollars (only joking) try $400 landed in Australia.
HHMMMM they are shiny. Stewy

[Stewart A.]

Re: Hard top latch problem

Roy, mine are the same as the hard top ones in the photo. Are the levers on the soft top the same as the hard top in length. I can see the plates are different. Stewy

[Roy B.]

Re: Hard top latch problem

Roy, mine are the same as the hard top ones in the photo. Are the levers on the soft top the same as the hard top in length. I can see the plates are different. Stewy

Yes HT or ST handles are the same only the backing plates are different . Also the locking plates are ALL the same weather HT or ST C1 or C2.
Hope this helped