Soft top clamps don't click shut- a slightly easier fix

Silvia · Postby **Silvia** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 5:15 pm

After doing one hood clamp with the "screw in the latch" fix successfully, while starting on the second one I thought of trying a slightly easier way - to drill and screw into the lever itself at the point where it meets the latch - or should, identified by a shiny strip where the contact is made between them. This means you don't have to dismantle the latch , removing the axle etc. Simply remove the clamp with 3 screws and at the shiny area of the lever, drill and put in the small screw. Clicks firmly shut in the same way but a bit simpler to do. :idea:

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 5:18 pm

Do you have a picture of what you've done?

Silvia · Postby **Silvia** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 5:27 pm

http://www.miata.net/garage/softtop_latch/index.html

In the last photo you can see the screw that's been put in and next to that , on the handle , the shiny area where it rubs.
That's where you put the screw in instead. Does same job but much easier and more accurate.

Roadrunner · Postby **Roadrunner** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 10:11 pm

This is a much easier way to do it. Good find!
I put my screw into the handle part which works perfectly but a lot of work to pull it apart to drill.

Silvia · Postby **Silvia** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 1:21 pm

Here's a pic ....
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.ph ... ost7258199

.....works well.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 8:54 pm

It might not matter but the U.S. guy seems to have used a machine screw ie he tapped a thread. A self tapper maybe ok with the right size hole.

Silvia · Postby **Silvia** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 10:44 pm

I used a plain 3 mm drill bit and a self tapping screw . For the driver side I had done a year earlier, I drilled into the pivoting latch as was the recommended way and used the same type screw. That's how I know which way is easier for the same result.
Tapping a thread seems unnecessary, as the handle appears to be alloy....maybe the latch is too, can't remember.

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 10:24 am

If you intend disassembling the catches, it is a good idea to do it in a plastic bag. It will save you the trouble of trying to find the springs when they fly out.
Greg.

Silvia · Postby **Silvia** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 10:42 am

Greg the whole point ,or one of a few actually, of this suggestion is that you don't need to disassemble the latch mechanism
so nothing to fly out. Just unscrew the whole part from windscreen (3 screws) flip over the handle and drill into it where it is shiny from contact with the latch - see pics above mate....