wing window latch

[Gerard]

Hi Folks, I'm new to the Spider world and appreciate the help available on the site. My 81 is missing the latch on the right wing window, apparently the orig. was glued on , and fell off, taking a small divit of glass with it. Should I get the replacement from International and try to glue it back on? If so what type of glue?
Or should I get the type that fits over the edge of the glass and live with left being orig. and right being replacement ? Should I expect the left to fall off soon too and then replace them both with the edge over type ?
P.S. I enjoyed Ryans video on Youtube.

[rlux4]

This issue comes up pretty regularly. A lot of people have never had luck getting the latch to stay on after it fails the first time. There are several brands of mirror to windshield adhesive, I've had the best luck with the Permatex brand. Whichever brand you use, be sure to let it cure for a few days before you put any stress on it, and don't use the latch to pull the wing window closed, push it closed from the outside completely and then latch it.
Ron

[mdrburchette]

Or you can do what the rest of us eventually do and that's throw the latch in the map pocket that corresponds to the side it came off of. I had mine glued on by a local windshield company that warranteed it for life and one on each Fiat has come off.

[Tappy]

If you have a dremel or something like it you can engrave the glas on he side and place where you glue on the latch , this rufens up the surface so the glue will stick better

[SpiderHead]

P.S. I enjoyed Ryans video on Youtube.

is that how you found us?

-Ryan

[mbouse]

Hi Folks, I'm new to the Spider world and appreciate the help available on the site. My 81 is missing the latch on the right wing window, apparently the orig. was glued on , and fell off, taking a small divit of glass with it. Should I get the replacement from International and try to glue it back on? If so what type of glue?
Or should I get the type that fits over the edge of the glass and live with left being orig. and right being replacement ? Should I expect the left to fall off soon too and then replace them both with the edge over type ?
P.S. I enjoyed Ryans video on Youtube.

1. welcome here
2. no, search for a used replacement in our parts wanted section
3. IMO-no glue works perfect, i used mirror glue
4. no
5. yes and no

quite personally, if you are worried about symmetry, the easiest-least frustrating thing to do woud be to remove the left latch and throw it in the glove box. also, careful study of the various year's modifications will show that the vertical frame for the vent window changed over the years, and that the early style latch "needs" a frame rail different than what you should have.

my favorite passenger cannot figure out that pulling too hard on the latch will cause it to fall off into her hand; while my driver's side latch still remains factory installed, yet never used as a pull toy. consequently, after at least two attempts to glue the passenger side latch back on the glass, i have stored it permenantly in the glove box.

[Gerard]

Hi Fiat Folks,
Thanks for you comments and suggestions. I think I'll get the original type, new or used, and try gluing it on . I spoke with Mark and he has some new glue that he recommends. The car is going to his shop next month for some work so I'll ask him to try it.
Thank you all.

[CajunMike]

Hi Folks, I'm new to the Spider world and appreciate the help available on the site. My 81 is missing the latch on the right wing window, apparently the orig. was glued on , and fell off, taking a small divit of glass with it. Should I get the replacement from International and try to glue it back on? If so what type of glue?
Or should I get the type that fits over the edge of the glass and live with left being orig. and right being replacement ? Should I expect the left to fall off soon too and then replace them both with the edge over type ?
P.S. I enjoyed Ryans video on Youtube.

What kind of latch is it, there a couple of styles and IAP or Vicks doesn't have them all. Do you have a pic of it?

[Gerard]

Hi, Thanks for the heads up about different style latches, ( why in the world would they change something like latches yearly?) I'll get apicture of it in April, Im on the East Coast this month and the car is on the West Coast .

Ryan, I linked to your video through this site.

[FordPrefect]

This is the type of latch I have, though I haven't attached them yet:



I can't quite figure them out, the edge has a bit of a lip on it that seems to get in the way of the vertical window frame. If anyone has better pics of them installed, that would be helpful.

These also exist, but I guess they are for the 2000 model.



*pictures stolen from ebay.

[mbouse]

FordPrefect,

the button style locking latch was last used on the '78 model year. the "sleeker" no locking button style was used from there after until the windows grew mirrors and quit pivoting on a hinge.

i have learned that some reproduction rubber seals for the vent windows were actually too large, and cause too tight of a fit...which creates the need for excess pressure to be placed on the window to close. that excess pressure is more than the latch/glue can stand.

in the pictures you show, i believe the button style is passenger side and the "sleek" style is driver side (cheeze..it has been a long winter! Haven't seen the interior of a Spider in a long, long time).

[manoa matt]

The newer 2000 sleek versions opperate much smoother and are not as prone to failure as the earlier versions. The 2000 version also have a much better chrome job. The earlier versions have more internal moving parts and wear out or rust up internally. K.I.S.S.--keep it simple stupid.

[FordPrefect]

I just glued mine on, the weatherstripping does prevent it from working just so, but there they are.

I agree, the chroming isn't great on mine, (the older type), but some penetrating oil has them working ok.