DIY: Windshield latches

Unfortunately the latches that secure the soft top to the windshield eventually fail. This DIY will cover:

- Why the latches fail

- How to determine if the latches are failing

- How to remove the latches

- How to strengthen/repair the latches



Background



There are actually 2 sets of latches that secure the soft top to the windshield:

• There are the 2 obvious latches that clamp to the windshield; and


• There are 2 "elbow" latches that pull the soft top tight to the windshield.

This is the elusive "elbow latch":





Both these latches are controlled by 2 latching mechanisms hidden under the metal cover at the front of the softtop. The latches are mirror images of each other so lets look at how one works and why it fails.







A motor turns the threaded rod which moves a composite part (orange ) back/forth. As it moves it pushes a metal bar in/out (red ) that controls the "elbow latch", and a metal bar up/down (green) that controls the windshield latch. The up/down motion must exert too much pressure on the composite part as it eventually cracks around the metal bar. This is my latch starting to crack:







If left the metal bar would eventually break free of the composite part, rendering the windshield latch inoperable.

• If the part breaks while the roof is opening you better hope for good weather, as the soft top will be unable to latch to the windshield.


• If the part breaks while the roof is closing I hope you own a reciprocating saw. Remember I stated the cover hiding the latches was metal , you'll need to cut it open to gain access to the latches!

The composite part is not available separately, so if it breaks you're out $350+ for a new latch ($700+ for 2!).



Thankfully there is a way to strengthen the composite part to prevent failures, and to repair it after failure.



How to determine if the latches are failing



There is a way to check if the composite part is beginning to fail. Manipulate the top (electronically or manually) into this position.







NOTE: Do NOT rest the storage compartment lid on the soft top. Get a friend to help.



Compress a windshield latch by hand (they are spring loaded).







Then look in the triangular opening to find the composite part. A flash light or good lighting is a must. In this photo you can see a crack in the bottom corner. Both my latches had cracks in the same place.







NOTE: The photo was taken post strengthening. Your part will not have the bolt and washer installed... yet!