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Thanks to a tip from Evil-Twin about using rubber plugs from Home Depot, I managed to make myself a couple new Latch Tips. If anyone is interested this is how I did it.
Package of 4 (1/2X5/16) rubber plugs. Found these at Home Depot but I think Lowe's has them, too.
Comparison of Home Depot plugs (left) to factory rubber tips (right.) Not an exact match but close.
It is important to NOT drill all the way through the plug. I used one side of a small pair of scissors with a piece of tape used as a stop. By twisting the point of the scissors around in the center you can penetrate the plug to the proper depth, the puncture serving as a guide for the drill bit.
A 7/32 drill bit with depth stop tape. I tried using a pair of pliers to hold the plug while I drilled it but ended up just carefully holding on to it with my fingers and using very low RPM on the drill, working the plug back and forth... very carefully.
Picture of my two "new" roof latch rubber tips. Took me two attempts at getting them made right, but they work just as well as the originals if you take your time and do it correctly.
Last edited by Sky King; 02-24-2006 at 04:59 AM.
Reason: picture tags fine tuning
That a good little DIY right up. I was wanting to do the same thing a while back, the stealership said you have to buy the entire locking mechanism just to get the plug! I knew there had to be some way to get the rubber plugs somewhere else! Thanks!
See Grumpy ! last time I posted this , you were skeptical....
I am NOT just another pretty face you know !
ON a rare occasion, I know what I am talking about. BTW after I made that Home Depot post a couple of months ago I had half a dozen people PM me with their thanks...
I still love you Grumpy, inspite of yourself.
Thanks to a tip from Evil-Twin about using rubber plugs from Home Depot, I managed to make myself a couple new Latch Tips. If anyone is interested this is how I did it.
Package of 4 (1/2X5/16) rubber plugs. Found these at Home Depot but I think Lowe's has them, too.
Comparison of Home Depot plugs (left) to factory rubber tips (right.) Not an exact match but close.
It is important to NOT drill all the way through the plug. I used one side of a small pair of scissors with a piece of tape used as a stop. By twisting the point of the scissors around in the center you can penetrate the plug to the proper depth, the puncture serving as a guide for the drill bit.
A 7/32 drill bit with depth stop tape. I tried using a pair of pliers to hold the plug while I drilled it but ended up just carefully holding on to it with my fingers and using very low RPM on the drill, working the plug back and forth... very carefully.
Picture of my two "new" roof latch rubber tips. Took me two attempts at getting them made right, but they work just as well as the originals if you take your time and do it correctly.
02-24-2006, 04:19 AM
Roof Latch Rubber Tips (How I did it.)
I knew there had to be some way to get the rubber plugs somewhere else! Thanks!
