Is this mechanism supposed to have any sort of spring on it? I'm talking about the pin under the rear window that keeps the back of the top secured.
The latch on the car I am fixing is only held in place by the release cable, which is not sprung. I forgot to push it back to the closed position one time, and the pin popped up. It seems to have just vibrated and moved another because the release pull cable was in the "close" position.

Looking at it with the seats down it seems that arm can just move where it wants. So is there supposed to be a spring or something to keep tension on it?

Yes, there should be a spring that attaches to a hole in the same piece that the release cable attaches. On the other end it will attach to a small **** that is on the underside of the cover.

Thanks, seemed like there should be something.

Any pics or diagrams of the spring/latch? I checked the diagram links in the stickies but they all seem to be dead.

it looks kind of like a hood pin clip. I could probably find a pic if you don't know what I am talking about.

Here is mine . . .



It works well without any problems. The cotterpin looking thing above snaps into the groove in the roof pin and holds it in place. Then when I pull in the release cable handle, the cotterpin is rotated about 45degrees and levered open, and this releases the roof pin.
I see there is an unused hole at the end of the bar that the cable attaches too. I've never had anything like a spring located there and I've never had any trouble.
Should there be a spring located there?
Does anyone have a pic of this spring if it does exist?
Or, would this spring have been used on the older rod style system (as opposed to the newer cable system pictured above) used on the older 3rd gen ASC verts?

PS; I've never had to "push it back to the closed position". Mine has always retuned to that position on it's own. I believe that is due to the tension of the cotterpin. It wants to returned to it's natural closed position by the way it is mounted.

the extra hole is for the rod setups there is a push in clip like the ones used on the door locks. they just modified it to work with the cable setups because the rod setups were too stiff and usually broke the handle and the long bar for it usually bent making it a little harder to open.

Ok the one I am fixing looks exactly like that picture, except with lots of surface rust ( new top is next on the list )

Maybe the cotter pin isn't aligned properly. I'll have to look at it again. I know I was able to swing that lever very freely.
Thanks for the replys and pics.

lol this isn't even one of the things the owner wanted fixed. But the longer it sits in my yard the more I fix. Can't stand leaving a thirdgen alone if I know there's issues I can fix As it is I saved the car from being sold. She had gotten fed up with it since she could never drive it.

Here's a pic of the car in question.

Great looking vert! The hood and ground effects are not from a 88 though. Sharp wheels too.

My 88 has the rod system and yes that is what the extra hole is "from".

Hey Jay
Glad to see that car getting some much needed attention. I'm sure she has had enough going on in her life than to worry about that. Wish I was closer to give you a hand with it

-jason

Probably because it's a 91 Z My car is an 88 IROC with t-tops. The 'vert is a friends car that I am helping to get back into shape.

I took a look at your site Jay - she's a beauty.

Thanks It's a work in progress. Right now the interior is all apart and I am doing new t-tops seals.
Back to the vert...
I think I figured out the problem. The rust is making everything bind. I see how it "should" work now thanks to the pics and responses here. I was able to make it work like it should, by getting under there and doing it myself, but the cotter pin thing gets caught up on the rust
Looks like I'm taking it all apart sanding and cleaning it, recoating it with some good paint and maybe some grease to help things work smoothly.

Great info, thanks.
Always something new to learn.