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Greetings all, I have a question about the two latches for the convertible top. I ran my hardtop this winter up to now, and when I pulled it off and tried to latch my soft top into place, the LH would not latch. Found the small round spring on the latch had broken and wouldn't hold the latch lever in place, it just flopped loose.
Can this spring be replaced (it doesn't look like it), is the spring even available, and are the latch assemblies available? I did a quick search on the vendor web pages and found nothing. My local vendor is closed 'till Tuesday (Corvette Express in Vacaville CA), he often has NOS stuff, so I'll check with them as well. Just looking for pointers at this point. All advice is appreciated as always.
I don't know that there is a spring on any of the front latches. Are you talking about the left rear latch? I tried to replace that spring and wasn't able to--I found another original nearby.
I am not aware that there should be any spring on the front latches. I have never seen them. It might be something someone added becasue they did not know how to see the latch correctly.
I am not aware that there should be any spring on the front latches. I have never seen them. It might be something someone added becasue they did not know how to see the latch correctly.
DUB
I have both a black vinyl hard top and a Haartz soft top. Neither have springs. Sure would like to help you but I have no idea what you are speaking of...?
Greetings all, I have a question about the two latches for the convertible top. I ran my hardtop this winter up to now, and when I pulled it off and tried to latch my soft top into place, the LH would not latch. Found the small round spring on the latch had broken and wouldn't hold the latch lever in place, it just flopped loose.
Can this spring be replaced (it doesn't look like it), is the spring even available, and are the latch assemblies available? I did a quick search on the vendor web pages and found nothing. My local vendor is closed 'till Tuesday (Corvette Express in Vacaville CA), he often has NOS stuff, so I'll check with them as well. Just looking for pointers at this point. All advice is appreciated as always.
Hans
If you're talking about the small round spring(s) that hold the cleat closed on the rear deck lid.
Yes, the rear deck lid latches are available from many vendors.
Your temporary fix is>>> Grab several of the largest thickest rubber bands you have and wrap them around the cleat assembly mechanism from underneath. Doesn't take much pressure to hold that cleat closed against the deck lid pin.
If you're talking about the small round spring(s) that hold the cleat closed on the rear deck lid.
Yes, the rear deck lid latches are available from many vendors.
Your temporary fix is>>> Grab several of the largest thickest rubber bands you have and wrap them around the cleat assembly mechanism from underneath. Doesn't take much pressure to hold that cleat closed against the deck lid pin.
I thought the latch in question were the ones at the windshield.
I know I could make a new spring if I had one to go off of.
But for the cost of having to make a jig and new spring it would be cheaper for my customer to buy new ones. The only time I make springs is they are not available.
Thanks for the rubber band tip! Order two new latches today ($90.- bucks each, ouch!), put rubber bands on it and successfully latched it in place. No shipping as they're coming on a regular order, gotta' keep my local vendor in business.
Thanks for the rubber band tip! Order two new latches today ($90.- bucks each, ouch!), put rubber bands on it and successfully latched it in place. No shipping as they're coming on a regular order, gotta' keep my local vendor in business.
Hans
You're more motivated than I was when mine broke.
Put the rubber bands on it and it worked so well I forgot they were on there for over 5 years - until the bands dry rotted. Eventually ordered a new latch.
Convertible top latch repair
