55 Hard top latch spring replacement?

[Jimleanna55Bird]

So I’m replacing the springs in the latches for the rear portion of the hardtop and once I got the first one out, I could see that the springs that were there were not placed properly. I know that one side of the spring goes in the hole in the handle to hold it firm, but not sure how it then goes on the rest of the mechanism to make the spring work as intended. Anybody done this work before or have any pictures to help me get the orientation correct. Thanks.

[ward 57]

I tried to replace one on my '57. I bought replacement springs but found they have one less coil wind than the originals. The spring perch in the base was filled with rust and that's why the spring wasn't working as the spring wouldn't seat. I was able to get it back together but couldn't figure out how to get as much tension into it as the other working one using the original spring. Wish there was a video of the process.

[DynoDan’55]

A bit ‘off topic’, but I wonder if anyone has installed the aftermarket padlock in this latch (?). I have the lock, but not sure any instructions were included. Need to leave my Bird soon at a shop that has no indoor storage/security, and though insured, the grief involved with replacing/painting the orig. top is too horrible to contemplate.

[ward 57]

The lock should have come with an extended pin that is long enough to fit the lock through that you replace the original with. The original pin is secured with a small set screw and the pin should then just unscrew. They are year specific, Replace it with the pin that came with the lock.
And if you have an auto trans, unscrew the knob until it bottoms out on the set screw preventing anyone from moving the shifter out of park. Not many know that trick but be sure to tell the shop how that works.

[55Greg]

I have a lock on mine. I had to drill a hole through the metal bracket that is welded to the underside of the rear deck so the pin would extend all the way through.

[DynoDan’55]

The lock should have come with an extended pin that is long enough to fit the lock through that you replace the original with. The original pin is secured with a small set screw and the pin should then just unscrew. They are year specific, Replace it with the pin that came with the lock.
And if you have an auto trans, unscrew the knob until it bottoms out on the set screw preventing anyone from moving the shifter out of park. Not many know that trick but be sure to tell the shop how that works.

Sounds like I’ll have to pull the top to install it (?). No AT, but reminds me to tell the shop about my hidden cut-out switch that defeats hot-wiring & driving off.

[ward 57]

The lock should have come with an extended pin that is long enough to fit the lock through that you replace the original with. The original pin is secured with a small set screw and the pin should then just unscrew. They are year specific, Replace it with the pin that came with the lock.
And if you have an auto trans, unscrew the knob until it bottoms out on the set screw preventing anyone from moving the shifter out of park. Not many know that trick but be sure to tell the shop how that works.

Sounds like I’ll have to pull the top to install it (?). No AT, but reminds me to tell the shop about my hidden cut-out switch that defeats hot-wiring & driving off.

Yup, the top has to come off to change the pin.