Targa owners. Broken handle
 

Hi,

While unfastening the targa top one of the handles came loose. After inspection, it has lost the small metal piece that crosses the shaft and allows the handle to engage the top mechanism (sorry but I can't explain it much better, here is a pic for clarification).

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...f/8-11-1-8.jpg

Is buying a new one the only solution? Any ideas?

Paco,

I've had luck sourcing used ones here:

http://www.partsheaven.com/

New part pricing on these is ridiculous, IMHO.

Paco,

You can also try Dan Pechtel at Cars, Inc (http://www.carsinc-nj.com/). He specializes in Targa tops and is great to work with.

I would think you could find something at a hardware store that would fit or coudl be cut to fit. There's some play in the handle when it's inserted so I think you could probably use some light solder to keep the new piece in position without impairing the function. I've got an extra one but after your experience I'm not excited about parting with it. But if all else fails, let me know. I would think the cheapest approach from where you are would be German ebay or used parts shops in Germany.

Mine also fell out. I turned in a similar sized machine screw (#6 or 8 I think), cut the head off with a dremel, then ground down the sides of the screw until it slid into the slots. Note that one slot is bigger than the other because the original key was wedge-shaped. Has yet to fail.

You can probably drill a hole and insert the correct diameter roll pin.

Hey Guys,
I too had the same problem with mine when I first got it. After reading through the manual I found that the handle is meant to be taken off and put in the glove box when not in use. So needless to say it is not suppose to be in there tight.
Tom

Needle nose plyers have worked for me these last 10 years.

Thanks guys,

I will try to locate a correct sized pin, although I am very inexperienced at fabricating things.

I am thinking about Rondinone's idea and it might work. Good excuse to buy a Dremel tool :D

Pelican Classified
 

I'm pretty sure I saw a used one for sale over in the classifieds
a few days ago.