Vert top not staying latched
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 64
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Vert top not staying latched
First time owner here, I just acquired a 68 L79 convertible. The top is vinyl and is 3 weeks old. The pin keeps popping out of the deck on the passenger side, pins are brand new. Is there an adjustment inside the deck or could there be a worn part? I am currently latching the front first then the back, tried it the other way around and it is to tight to latch in the front.
And also, WOW, this is a really cool forum, I have learned a lot already!
Thanks, Bob
And also, WOW, this is a really cool forum, I have learned a lot already!
Thanks, Bob
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Bubba here. I got tired of messing around with the pins and having them pop out all the time. My top fits real tight, and I actually like leaving a gap at the rear to keep it off my rear deck, so I just replaced the pins with simple hardware store bolts. If you can't quite visualize it, I can provide pics. 
You have to pull the release handle to lock the top - because the bolt head is not pin shaped you can't just force it in through the latch. But they hold better and give me a little gap between the deck lid and the bottom edge of the top which protects the paint.
You have to pull the release handle to lock the top - because the bolt head is not pin shaped you can't just force it in through the latch. But they hold better and give me a little gap between the deck lid and the bottom edge of the top which protects the paint.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 7
From: Adelaide South Australia
Also have a good look for wear in the plate onto which the pin compresses.
Mine has worn a groove in the plate which allows the pin to slip off under load.
Scared the bejeezus out of me recently coming home in the dark...
I overtook a truck on the freeway, hit about 90mph and the driver's side catch let go...
The unexpected sound and sudden burst of cold air rushing in at that speed certainly shook me up.
Luckily the centre and passenger pins held on.
edited: oops.... Sorry, I was thinking the front window latches...
Mine has worn a groove in the plate which allows the pin to slip off under load.
Scared the bejeezus out of me recently coming home in the dark...
I overtook a truck on the freeway, hit about 90mph and the driver's side catch let go...
The unexpected sound and sudden burst of cold air rushing in at that speed certainly shook me up.
Luckily the centre and passenger pins held on.
edited: oops.... Sorry, I was thinking the front window latches...
Last edited by OzzyTom; Oct 18, 2011 at 08:10 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
From: Sebring florida
As Sly Vette said the adjustment is in the length of the pin, just screw it down a bit and
latch it. Then roll it out in the sun, if there is any where you are and let the vinal soften and stretch, heat stretches it and cold srinks it, keep the top up and latched when stored for the winter.
Just a quick heads up when folding that nice new top, watch the sides, just behind the side windows, I beleve its where bow 3 and 4 hinge together it will pinch and cut your new top. Been there done that on a new top. I replaced the top and now don't fold it down.
latch it. Then roll it out in the sun, if there is any where you are and let the vinal soften and stretch, heat stretches it and cold srinks it, keep the top up and latched when stored for the winter.
Just a quick heads up when folding that nice new top, watch the sides, just behind the side windows, I beleve its where bow 3 and 4 hinge together it will pinch and cut your new top. Been there done that on a new top. I replaced the top and now don't fold it down.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2011
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Thanks for all of the quick replies.
Sly: I will be checking those adjustments.
Bubba: I will pass on the bolts as I am going to keep her original. I do like the gap idea for some ventilation ( the knucklehead before me took out the aircond compressor)
Ozzy: First time mine popped was on the freeway as well at about the same speed, I thought I broke her. I will be checking that compression plate as well.
Ghunt: Thanks for the heads up, I will be watching that.
Thanks again guys, Bob
Sly: I will be checking those adjustments.
Bubba: I will pass on the bolts as I am going to keep her original. I do like the gap idea for some ventilation ( the knucklehead before me took out the aircond compressor)
Ozzy: First time mine popped was on the freeway as well at about the same speed, I thought I broke her. I will be checking that compression plate as well.
Ghunt: Thanks for the heads up, I will be watching that.
Thanks again guys, Bob
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 848
Likes: 60
From: CA
Bob, while the pin length adjustment usually fixes most problems, once in awhile you have to adjust the lateral (side to side) position on the housing itself (number 3 in the attached drawing). Especially if you've just installed a new top!
You'll note that the housing mounting holes are oblong and allow minor side to side adjustments. This allows the pin to be positioned farther away, or closer to the lock. The lock has NO adjustment, so this is the only way to get the pin to contact the lock if it's too far off. There's also a shim (#10) that can be removed (or more added) to get the pin closer (or farther away) from the lock.
Sometimes you really have to fiddle with these things to get them right, but once you got it, you'll be good for life!
Ed
You'll note that the housing mounting holes are oblong and allow minor side to side adjustments. This allows the pin to be positioned farther away, or closer to the lock. The lock has NO adjustment, so this is the only way to get the pin to contact the lock if it's too far off. There's also a shim (#10) that can be removed (or more added) to get the pin closer (or farther away) from the lock.
Sometimes you really have to fiddle with these things to get them right, but once you got it, you'll be good for life!
Ed
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 22
From: Marina CA
If adjusting and the other suggestions above aren't the fix, another thing to consider is the 68 pins were 1/4" diameter and the 69's-up were 5/16" diameter so make sure you're not using the small diameter pin into the larger latch.
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
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From: Indy Indiana
i did this, i spent a day trying to adjust everything, gave up and made this, my weatherstrip is new and hard and would either click in with an air gap in the deck/weatherstrip, or it would draw down too tight and very hard to release.
this draws the top down nice and even. It rarely needs used since my convertible rarely needs the top up. I kept the old pins in case a future owner wants to mess with it.
this draws the top down nice and even. It rarely needs used since my convertible rarely needs the top up. I kept the old pins in case a future owner wants to mess with it.
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
Bob, while the pin length adjustment usually fixes most problems, once in awhile you have to adjust the lateral (side to side) position on the housing itself (number 3 in the attached drawing). Especially if you've just installed a new top!
You'll note that the housing mounting holes are oblong and allow minor side to side adjustments. This allows the pin to be positioned farther away, or closer to the lock. The lock has NO adjustment, so this is the only way to get the pin to contact the lock if it's too far off. There's also a shim (#10) that can be removed (or more added) to get the pin closer (or farther away) from the lock.
Sometimes you really have to fiddle with these things to get them right, but once you got it, you'll be good for life!
Ed
You'll note that the housing mounting holes are oblong and allow minor side to side adjustments. This allows the pin to be positioned farther away, or closer to the lock. The lock has NO adjustment, so this is the only way to get the pin to contact the lock if it's too far off. There's also a shim (#10) that can be removed (or more added) to get the pin closer (or farther away) from the lock.
Sometimes you really have to fiddle with these things to get them right, but once you got it, you'll be good for life!
Ed
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 64
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Thanks Ed, Joewill, restoman, and 1fordman. I tried backing the pin out first, it was all the way in. Backed out 2 threads and it fell out. I will be ordering new pin housings as most of the threads are gone and they are pitted.
Bob
Bob
