Stainless Hood Latch
Discussion
My S3 has a broken plastic hood latch. Looking for a source for replacement I saw in the Alternative Parts List that Leven make a SS version. Not finding it on their web site I emailed them with an enquiry to which Jill has replied that they haven't made them for a while due to lack of demand. Is there any interest out there for a group buy or is there an alternative source? or is everyone driving around with broken latches!?
oldgeebee said:
My S3 has a broken plastic hood latch. Looking for a source for replacement I saw in the Alternative Parts List that Leven make a SS version. Not finding it on their web site I emailed them with an enquiry to which Jill has replied that they haven't made them for a while due to lack of demand. Is there any interest out there for a group buy or is there an alternative source? or is everyone driving around with broken latches!?
You can get the plastic ones from Maplins for under a tennerThis is the essence of an email conversation I Had with jwoffshore with sample pics
You can see how I have trimmed the base on the plain latch to give room for the screw heads. The other latch has the secondary catch, but I have not got around to trimming the base and fitting it yet. Without the secondary catch, I find that they do tend to rattle a bit in bumpy conditions, hence my intention to upgrade.
If you were prepared to go to the trouble of modifying the mounting on the roof, you could reposition the screw holes to avoid the need to trim the base and you could also switch to the "concealed base" style. However, the part numbers I have suggested with "exposed base" are a much simpler job.
Yes, you need "hook" and "exposed base" type for the most straightforward fitting. The part numbers I have mentioned will both be OK and then it depends if you prefer a plain handle or with the additional secondary catch.
The hook will engage OK on the existing keeper fixed above the windscreen. You do not need to buy a new keeper plate.
See attached the data sheet for the stainless latches. There is a bewildering array of options and it's easy to order the wrong thing!
What you need is the type with "hook" and "exposed base". These fit on the existing mounting pads on the roof panels and will latch on to the existing keeper on the windscreen frame. If you wished to use the type with "concealed base", then you would need to fashion new pads and move the screw locations.
The two main candidate useful types are:
1. 91-552-52 This is the basic type latch, stainless with hook and exposed base
2. 91-562-52 This is the same but has an additional secondary catch. The advantage of the secondary catch is that it stops the latch rattling or popping loose when driving on bumpy roads. The downside is that it does not have such a clean appearance.
You may find that you need to trim the vertical sides of the base slightly to get clearance for the screw heads. Careful use of a junior hacksaw and small file will sort that.
I paid about £30 for a pair delivered from zygology.com, but that was about 5 years ago now!
You can see how I have trimmed the base on the plain latch to give room for the screw heads. The other latch has the secondary catch, but I have not got around to trimming the base and fitting it yet. Without the secondary catch, I find that they do tend to rattle a bit in bumpy conditions, hence my intention to upgrade.
If you were prepared to go to the trouble of modifying the mounting on the roof, you could reposition the screw holes to avoid the need to trim the base and you could also switch to the "concealed base" style. However, the part numbers I have suggested with "exposed base" are a much simpler job.
Yes, you need "hook" and "exposed base" type for the most straightforward fitting. The part numbers I have mentioned will both be OK and then it depends if you prefer a plain handle or with the additional secondary catch.
The hook will engage OK on the existing keeper fixed above the windscreen. You do not need to buy a new keeper plate.
See attached the data sheet for the stainless latches. There is a bewildering array of options and it's easy to order the wrong thing!
What you need is the type with "hook" and "exposed base". These fit on the existing mounting pads on the roof panels and will latch on to the existing keeper on the windscreen frame. If you wished to use the type with "concealed base", then you would need to fashion new pads and move the screw locations.
The two main candidate useful types are:
1. 91-552-52 This is the basic type latch, stainless with hook and exposed base
2. 91-562-52 This is the same but has an additional secondary catch. The advantage of the secondary catch is that it stops the latch rattling or popping loose when driving on bumpy roads. The downside is that it does not have such a clean appearance.
You may find that you need to trim the vertical sides of the base slightly to get clearance for the screw heads. Careful use of a junior hacksaw and small file will sort that.
I paid about £30 for a pair delivered from zygology.com, but that was about 5 years ago now!
Thanks for the Maplins ref - but searched under Southco and/or E8 and/or catches/latches without success. Any other suggestions? Also heard that RS and Farnell had them but also no success.
The SS ones look good - I'll see what I can do in the same vein if I can't source the plastic ones. Thanks again.
The SS ones look good - I'll see what I can do in the same vein if I can't source the plastic ones. Thanks again.
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