Convertible top latch question -- How to replace a torsion spring?

[Bob67Barracuda]

Niche question for convertible owners: Has anyone successfully replaced a torsion spring on a top latch without getting deep into the actual top?

Setting: The driver side latch on my 1967 Barracuda convertible is floppy. Still works, but I don't like the looseness. I can see that one of two torsion springs is missing, and so is the little post that apparently holds it in.

I sourced a box of various size torsion springs, so that's not my challenge.

The issue is I don't think I can remove the entire latch assembly with the rag top intact. I took off the two obvious bolts on the assembly, but those didn't loosen anything much. The assembly remained tightly in place. Some initial research seems to indicate the replacing the entire assembly may need to happen with the cloth top off. That's not going to happen any time soon in my case. But maybe I'm wrong and maybe you can pry out the assembly after removing those two screws?

I can put a new spring in place, but installing a holding pin seems like a real challenge. The other ones are held in mainly by mashing the metal head on the back side of the hole. In my case, there's no way to get behind the hole. So I could slide a pin into the hole, but there'd be nothing to hold it in on the back side.

One thought would be to find a metal dowel that's just a hair to big and try to ram it in. Problem is no space for pounding or leverage even on the front side

to force it into the hole.

Anybody out there ever have this issue?

 

[Cuda Al]

First of all I didn't know about a spring, just assumed the floppiness was normal.
Do you have a picture showing the spring in place?

I was able to swap out a latch with the top installed. I raised the top relaxing the top, using a 1/4 drive ratchet I was able to get in there.

Alan

 

[Bob67Barracuda]

You can see the spring in place on the top photo in my post. The one on the left side of the latch.

But oh, hey, I'm going to try your method! Never dawned on my to go half way on the top like that. I think if I can get the latch assembly out, I can figure out something with that spring. Or possibly buy an entirely new assembly (don't want to do that with cheapy stuff if I don't have to.)

Thanks. Will report back.

 

[Bob67Barracuda]

Just checked and I can definitely reach the nuts by going half way on the top. Will tackle later. In poking around on eBay and seeing what look like used OEM Mopar latches for sale, I'm starting to think my latches are not original and possibly kinda junky as is. Will look for stamping and other clues.