2nd Gen Console Lid Latch Repair (warning, slightly redneck)

[Ranchero50]

Finally decided to tackle the sloppy lid latch this morning. Used a #15 Torx driver to remove the console lid assy and laid the parts out on the trunk lid.

My latch is missing the pivot pins so it flops in the lid making latching the lid 'interesting'

Another oops is my hinge was spitting it's pivot pin out the side...

After looking at the assy I decided to try and drill through the latch housing and install a 8d finish nail as a new pivot pin.

 

[Ranchero50]

I used a pin punch to center punch the old pin diameter and then used fine tooth flat file to clean up the break so the drill would run true when I started the hole. The drill is a 3/32 and worked well when run around 2000rpm.

I used a little vise to jig the latch to start the hole, then ended up taking the latch out and drilled the hole by hand so I could control the drills path better.

Finally an 8d finish nail through the hole.

 

[Ranchero50]

It almost look like it was meant to be. It's a shame Lincoln didn't use a metal pivot pin since the latch spring is too heavy for the plastic guys to last long.

Buttoned back up there is very little play in the latch with the spring load.

I pushed the pivot pin back and tack welded the pin to the hinge so it'll stay put now.

Finally, the alignment pins were broken on my lid and the screws were loose. You can also see where the pivot pin was rubbing.

Overall this was about a 2 hour project. The hardest part was guiding the drill bit through the plastic latch. Having a drill press made it easier but a hand drill in a vise or held against a table would work well too. Just don't drill holes in yourself...

Hope this tutorial helps someone.
Jamie

 

[LS4me]

Nevermind......

 

[Ranchero50]

Nevermind......

That bad eh?

 

[LS4me]

That bad eh?

Naw, the first time I loaded this page most of the pictures didn't load and I was confused.

 

[RodLS]

My latch is working fine but my hinge has came apart like yours before.

 

[vinnmann11]

I did something similar on mine that worked well. Instead of drilling through the latch, I used epoxy to attach a piece of wire coat hanger to the bottom of the latch.

When that breaks, I will try your method, but instead of drilling all the way through, I am going to try using two shorter nails and drilling a shallower hole in each end.

 

[1LoudLS]

that was exactly how i was going to fix mine (except i had a couple of metal rods i was going to use instead of a nail) however, some how i lost the broke latch piece after i took it all apart, and haven't been able to find it since.

 

[msgtusmc]

Nice write up!