Hardtop front latches
 

I'm fing :vash: sick of trying to adjust my hardtop (for several years now). The side latches are fine but I can not get the top latches to stay put. When I hit bumps or pot holes the front latches droop down when I have my visors down. Could they just be worn down??. I'm about to just say forget it and pull the soft top and buy some rennen metal mounting plates and just hard mounted the top in. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2459/...bc7a2cec07.jpg

Does anyone have a write up on how to adjusted a HT. I've messed with the latches, the mounts, the rear legs on the HT.

Been having the same problem and found this a while back: http://www.miata.net/garage/top_latch/index.html

I still haven't gotten around to it, but it's on the list. Also, if you still have the little foam piece inside the latch you can remove that and it helps a lot.

The only way I know of is the screw adjuster.

Hey Pitlab...are you sure your latches and strikers are compatable with eachother?

I am pretty sure. When I first got the 99 I remember them not having this problem. I dont remember having this issue till a few years ago. I've had this car about 5-6 years.

So you have tightened the latch adjustment screws as far back as they go?
This thing.
http://www.miata.net/garage/images/sidelatch5.jpg
http://www.miata.net/garage/images/sidelatch6.jpg

yup. First thing that I tried about 3 years ago. They are as short as they can get. IMHO would work if they were about 4mm~5mm shorter. I've tried moving the striker plates, and latches at the cost of one stripped bolt on the driver side, and small hole in the top where the carbide bit when through the top after the "EZ" out broke off inside the factory bolt. I cant think of anything else expect what was posted above about checking the mechanism. Does not help that I have not had a garage (just a carport) in 3 years.

I'm home sick today. Maybe I'll go play with the top between my vomiting and dizziness.

I had this same problem on my 99. The po of the ht was an r-tard and somehow broke every latch and stripped every screw. So i had to take it to a body shop since i was 800 miles away from my tools. Anyway I had problems with the latches i used and the strikers. I got a set of latches (Top and side) with the unlock text highlighted in white paint and new front strikers. Apparently there was a revision to the strikers and latches. So try newer ones. Also the nipple on the latches can get boogered and crack That'll cause the latches not to hold well. There was also a revision on the nips. Finally since i removed the old latches i never put on thread locker on the screws. About once a month my hard top will squeak and I'll have to tighten the screws. Try the above stuff and something is bound to work

I bought some used latches. The DS is in and that fixed the problem. They were worn down.