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Boot latch springing open

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2017 9:08 pm
by C-J
Hi all,
Has anyone had issues with the boot latch not engaging properly and springing open?

Not looked at fully yet so not sure if something is worn or broken? Or someting gone out of alignment or trapped? Or the striker plate worn? It's now deteriorated to the point that any bump or a slight tug upwards and the boot pops open.

Any thoughts welcomed.

Thanks
Chris

Re: Boot latch springing open

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2017 11:50 pm
by Bazzajay
I know it may sound obvious, but I presume you have been lubricating the latch regularly. Oil or a dab of real grease work much better than spray grease.

You can also test the action of the mechanism by using a screwdriver shaft to emulate the striker to see if the latch is working properly.

Another possibility is that the striker may be loose and need adjusting.

Re: Boot latch springing open

Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2017 9:17 am
by C-J
Cheers.

All good points. Since it started a few years ago I've kept well greased.

Everything seems to move or be firmly fixed as appropriate. Yes, the screwdriver test latches firmly and unlatches fine, as does removing and manually presenting the striker plate up to the latch.

Resetting the striker plate in different positions still doesn't get it to engage though. I'm clearly missing something with the alignment - but until yesterday I'd never moved anything. Most odd. The thing just doesn't seem to get to the latch position when in situ. And using blobs of grease it all seems aligned about right.

Next is to try a video in the boot to confirm alignments.


Chris
Ps. Apologies for posting in the tech section - not the world's most technical question I know. Just frustrating.

Re: Boot latch springing open

Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2017 11:10 am
by Steve White
On each side of the boot lid there is a rubber stop that can be screwed in or out to adjust how high the boot lid sits.
If not already tried, I would screw the stops in a bit further to lower the boot lid and see if the catch will then latch properly.

Re: Boot latch springing open

Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2017 1:44 pm
by Mike H
Sounds like an alignment issue similar to one I had last year.

Half hour with the guy in the local body shop - who judged it all by eye and the feel with his hands and it's been fine ever since. No charge - only a couple of beers :)

Re: Boot latch springing open

Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2017 3:32 pm
by C-J
Steve
Thanks - I'll try the stops.


Mike
Glad to hear that someone else has had that issue - and resolved it. Thanks for sharing.
And if you want to pop round anytime this weekend and resolve I'll chuck in 3 beers!

Re: Boot latch springing open

Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2017 9:04 pm
by C-J
Just about solved it. In case anyone else has this issue...

Seems the spring in the latch doesn't quite hold on the cam step until it's a few degrees past it. Hence rotating with a screwdriver by say 92 degrees activates it fine, but normal use to circa 89 degrees doesn't.

A bit of elastic tied around the lever to encourage it to stay open enough to get past 90 degrees. Next step to remove latch to clean more thoroughly. Or found a NOS one for £20 so may just replace to save hassle in future.

Interestingly before I solved it, with striker in highest position, and 2 rubber stops completely removed it still didn't catch. And once resolved (temporarily with the elastic) then the rubber stops could be set at any height, and the striker plate anywhere - alignment not really an issue. Quite amazed at how just a little bit of assistance to the lever takes it from working 0% of the time to 100% of today's tests. Visually (when sat in the boot) the positions and amount of travel look pretty identical - which is why it took me a few hours to work out. That, and I'm a bit thick!

Re: Boot latch springing open

Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2017 11:22 pm
by Bazzajay
Well done for resolving the issue, perseverance pays dividends again. It would probably have taken me just as long as I can certainly relate to the last statement.

Re: Boot latch springing open

Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2017 5:18 pm
by C-J
cheers Barrie.

did a 50 mile round trip today with no issues - last week it sprang open 3 times in the first 3 miles before i resorted to tieing a full 5L coolant bottle from the inside of the lock to weight it down. Having such a heavy weight to hand being one of the few bonuses of having cars prone to HGF!