Post by Brian M on Oct 28, 2008 12:41:01 GMT
From: TinyHuskies (Original Message) Sent: 14/04/2006 14:43
Hi,
My latches are perished!
Can anyone advise about finding replacements.
The van is a 1966 13/4.
Many thanks
Angus
From: OliverShaw1 Sent: 14/04/2006 22:12
The first thing to check is whether yours are actually beyond restoration. The photo suggests that the big problem is surface corrosinn on the light alloy, and that may possible clean up; start with a gentle scrub in warm soapy water. The corrosion on the steel plate is a separate problem, but that looks to be not too severe; a wire brush, some abrasive paper, and then an appropriate paint scheme might solve that problem. The nylon threaded part looks to be OK.
If however you find that the alloy is too badly pitted, or completely rotten, you will then have to replace.
These are the older type (Safaris switched to a rubber one in 1981), although the latest generation of this design, and it appears that this general type were used on a number of other 'vans over several decades. Hence aftermarket spares manufacturers have (at least until recently) produced generic replacements; not all that many years ago I picked some up straight off the shelf from a dealer, and while these weren't an exact facsimile visually they were dimensionally compatible and they would serve reasonably adequately. These were in the range of small multi-model aftermarket small spares that one sees in most dealers, and I think were probably part of the W4 range. Worth a browse at your local dealer, and if you don't see any on display it is worth asking do they have any or can they get them.
Yours have clear/translucent nylon for the threaded part, as distinct from the black plastic which was used on some 'vans, and the all metal catches which were used in the fifties. I am actually a little surprised that this version was fitted as long ago as 1966, but there we are.
Failing that you are into looking for secondhand ones, but since they were in use over a long period of time and a wide range of models one hopes that that will not be too difficult a search.
Good luck,
Oliver
Hi,
My latches are perished!
Can anyone advise about finding replacements.
The van is a 1966 13/4.
Many thanks
Angus
From: OliverShaw1 Sent: 14/04/2006 22:12
The first thing to check is whether yours are actually beyond restoration. The photo suggests that the big problem is surface corrosinn on the light alloy, and that may possible clean up; start with a gentle scrub in warm soapy water. The corrosion on the steel plate is a separate problem, but that looks to be not too severe; a wire brush, some abrasive paper, and then an appropriate paint scheme might solve that problem. The nylon threaded part looks to be OK.
If however you find that the alloy is too badly pitted, or completely rotten, you will then have to replace.
These are the older type (Safaris switched to a rubber one in 1981), although the latest generation of this design, and it appears that this general type were used on a number of other 'vans over several decades. Hence aftermarket spares manufacturers have (at least until recently) produced generic replacements; not all that many years ago I picked some up straight off the shelf from a dealer, and while these weren't an exact facsimile visually they were dimensionally compatible and they would serve reasonably adequately. These were in the range of small multi-model aftermarket small spares that one sees in most dealers, and I think were probably part of the W4 range. Worth a browse at your local dealer, and if you don't see any on display it is worth asking do they have any or can they get them.
Yours have clear/translucent nylon for the threaded part, as distinct from the black plastic which was used on some 'vans, and the all metal catches which were used in the fifties. I am actually a little surprised that this version was fitted as long ago as 1966, but there we are.
Failing that you are into looking for secondhand ones, but since they were in use over a long period of time and a wide range of models one hopes that that will not be too difficult a search.
Good luck,
Oliver