Rear soft top catch does not unlock--a solution

[Klaus Schlueter]

The soft top and the tonneau catch are one mechanism. The problem of a cracked cable has been covered here several times (make the backrest of the rear seats removable). But what if the soft top is closed and the catch mechanism doesn't unlock because it is seized?
In a very old German Stag Club magazine I found the following tipp:

--from the inside of the car unscrew the 3 bolts on both sides of the lower frame (see pictures)

--the whole frame with the seized catch bolt/plunger can now be moved and the bolt is visible

--in most cases the catch can now be opened by the catch cable

--if not it is now possible to unscrew the catch bolt/plunger

I didn't try this procedure, so no guaranty--but it sounds promising. What do you think?

Klaus

K1600_IMG_3246.jpgK1600_IMG_3247.jpgPlunger.jpg

[ampotter]

Hello Klaus, if the release cable has not broken, then pull the release lever and at the same time thump side of the hood frame (same side as lever) just above the the rear wing. If this does work and the hood releases, you will be able to remove the rear seat and adjust the mechanism. However, if the cable is broken or ceased then some else on the forum will hopefully be able to help. Good luck. Andrew

[Klaus Schlueter]

Sorry andrew, but what doed "thumb side of the hood frame" mean?
Klaus

[ampotter]

Hi Klaus, bang (thump) the frame with your hand. This need to be quite hard. Hope that helps. Andrew

[HersnotHis]

Hi

I recently had a similar problem and after trying otherwise I tediously started (1/4 turn at a time) to unscrew bolts retaining striker/plunger with thin spanner from inside car. Eventually due to free motion got catch open by leverage with screwdriver.

Examination of plunger showed very worn "end", a spring that was shorter than plunger and floating very bent spring end dished washer that I reckon had also part gone through catch and thus caused the non release problem.

So off to Robsport and got new striker plunger - looks same as Rimmers photo posted by OP.


Fitted this and found plunger hit chrome surround forward of hole! Examination showed that base plate of new plunger was too thick to slide up into frame. So swapped new plunger/ spring/ dished washer to old base plate.

Now works fine

HTH

H

[stag8manod]

On my Stag I have installed a hand sized hatch giving access from the boot. It is normally covered by the carpet and very unobtrusive. Should it be needed, Lift the carpet clear undo the four i/4" bolts and reach in and release the catch.
Cheers Ian A

[Mark Serj]

Hi all,

I had a similar problem where the muppet of a PO had just jammed the plunger home with no regard for alignment etc. There was absolutely no way it was coming out as the head of the plunger had caught on the locking mechanism sides, so couldn't be freed. The solution for me was quite simple, although a bit painful. You take the cubby hole out and reach round the back of the seat with a small socket set. You can feel where the catch mechanism is bolted to the frame using 2 bolts. If you have slim enough and long enough arms like I do, these can be reached and undone with the socket. I then went through a number of adjustments, including:

1. Maximising the length of the rear hood element by undoing the 3 screws in the top pic and extending it aft as far aft as poss.
2. Widening the bolt slots on the plunger pin mount to move it as aft as poss.

Even after all this work, the plunger still caught on the catch fwd side (in the across the car body direction) so I had no choice but to put a small flat on the fwd side of the plunger head. It now works perfectly everytime. I wish I didn't have to put the flat on, but I had run out of options other than making a new offset plunger mounting plate which I intend to do in time.

Hope that helps a little?

Regards

Mark