soft top woes!

[WHITESTAG]

Hi Guys!........who ever can sort this problem out will treat to a tipple of the finest!!!!!!

.....the story starts by me treating my 74 mk2 to a complete soft top full cable lock assembly replacement!!! tedious and p.i.ta job.... anyway I sussed it out eventually with sutble ajustments to the control cables an d got my tonneau to latch equally and was pretty chuffed that I all was well... untill I heard a muted "ping" from the centre lock assy pin of central lock of soft top !!!! (the cable end lock stud has popped off so the cable will now NOT RELEASE THE CATCH!!!!!)

The hood is fully covering the car at least -but I cannot now think of any way of getting to the catch!!!!! to release!!! CAN YOU?!!!

good old D.J.T suggested trying to get hand under back seat as to try to reach but virtually imposible to reach........

... the 10mm bolts that hold back squab are recessed and too high up to access... and the hood lockpin is FULLY LATCHED into tonneau lid!!!! cannot access through cubbys- other than drillin and trepannin a flippin big hole in back of boot wall!!!????? to get some sort of access!!!!! (loathed to do and only as a last resort!!!!!!) am UTTERLEY lost as to what to try next!!!

Thinking caps on guys!!!! am desperate!!!!!

all help really appreciated!!!

PHIL

[TimShoubridge]

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Phil,

Bad luck chum

I have seen this written about somewhere else, sorry but can't remember where (may have been triumphstag.net). I seem to recall that the answer there was the hole in the boot wall.

Sorry it's not an answer or cure, but I hope it may help ease the pain. You're not the first.

Tim

[Kevin Garrod]

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ouchphil, i'll have a good look at mine tomorrow and let you know if i get any divine inspiration. i reckon something is going to have to be bent or broken, ouch again

[WHITESTAG]

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Thanks Kevin..Cheers for that! so am I.... I cannot lift it a fraction to even saw it through!!!!! desperate measures!!!!! dismantling hood will not do any good either ...what I can gather in brief is that this pin is threaded into base of hood? if I could get somethin in to grab the swine I might be able to unscrew!!??? am off to bed now wiv buckets of tears an a big brandy!!!phil

[Kevin Garrod]

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Hi Phil

I have had a look, and I will attach two photos that I hope will help

One shows the view from the back seat with my fingers poking through the gap between the seat and the back rest in the centre. Maybe you can do something this way with something long and pokey.

Also there are two holes in the rear bulkhead leading to the boot (I didn't remove my carpet to explore this further!) and I have three grommets at the bottom. If this ever happens to me I would fully explore all existing orifices before making new ones.

I also have a picture of the catch (sorry its a bit blurry) to help you visualise what you are trying to do while poking around in the dark

Arm yourself with a wire coat hanger and the longest screwdriver you can find and good luck!

[Kevin Garrod]

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Here's the catch, try to squeeze the 2 L shaped bits together

[seaside bill]

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Phil

Hmmmm.... a bit of a challenge this one :?. Having looked at mine this morning, I'm wondering if you can shove a thin/springy/flat bit of metal down the hole from the top just enough the release the catch from the locating pin? There should just about be enough clearance providing your improvised tool is thin enough and pushing hard on the catch should force it inwards? I've taken a picture to illustrate what I mean. As you'll be working blind, the catch is located on the passenger side. Good luck.

[brian0443]

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Phil, been there and got in:

The back seat is held at the top by two bolts. Lower down the spring slides over a kind of tonge on each of the vertical supports,holding it in placeat the bottom.You will be able to feet these verticals if you put your hand under the seat edge. I have used brute force and ignorance, in quite large measure, to pull the seat upwards and flex it sufficiently to unlatch one of the hooks. The seat then pulled forward sufficiently for me to get at the latch. I could probably have undonethe holding nuts on the seat top runner at this stage to make access easier. The hook/tongue got bent a little but I was able to straighten it out and refit the seat back.

Good luck,

Brian

[WHITESTAG]

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Thanks Tim Dreadin to have to do this!!! avin sleepless nights!!! but I have come up with an idea!!! probably the most bizzarreidea ever thought of!!!!... woke up at 3 am with an inspiration !!!!

am going to try over week end if it works I will spill the beans!!........

phil

[WHITESTAG]

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Hi Brian!

Thanks so much for info! am real sorry I have caused you to bend your mountings mate but truly greatfull for reply!! will see how I go on!:dudehil

[WHITESTAG]

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Hi Kevin !

Thanks for piccies! really appreciate you taking time out to help!! will keep you posted! how I go on!

:dudehil

[WHITESTAG]

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Hi Seaside Bill! Thanks ever so for piccy ! really appreciated take your idea on board! the really annoyin thing is this pin is locked down HARD fully into recess! gonna try all ideas recieved over week end and keep you posted!

Thanks again!

PHIL:dude:

[WHITESTAG]

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Cheers Tim keep you posted!

PHIL:dude:

[Stagdad]

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Hi Phil

I know you don't want to go down this route but if you have to here is a pic of the place i think you need to cut a hole .Peter at LD parts sells a 1 1/2" gromit so if you use a hole saw of that size i bet you could reach it from there and finish it quite neatly.be very carefull though the soft top is close to the panel.you would have to do it with no center drill bit .

[WHITESTAG]

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Hi Brian!!!

Nice one ! you came up with the answer!!!!

Warning to alll!! this seems to be the only option you can take if this happens to you!

This was an absolute **** of a job and I NEVER want to do again! I urge all check your release mechs and change those cables if they look iffy!- I came up with a cheap dodge to repair.....I got a standard bike brake cable only 3 quid....and re ran back through existing sleeve to centre lockpin assy to cure!!

Nice one BRIAN you really pulled me out of **1 t!!! send me your adress - will send you a bottlle!!! and thanks to all for all feedback!!!

:dude:PHIL (WHITESTAG)