Targa Top Latching Issues

GBG1000 · 03-27-2008, 05:12 PM

I recently purchased '79 Targa. I have to admit I was too eager and green and got duped by a slimey and dishonest P.O. (or as some people refer to a bad stock - a POS)

The drivers side Targa Top latch pops loose frequently. It latches, but will pop loose when any small bump in the road is hit, and often for no reason at all.

When this happens, the handle will rotate down and then I hear the wind noise. At this point, while driving, I have to grab the frame, rotate the handle to open the latch completely and then re-latch it (annoying and dangerous).
I'm also a bit scared that it could fly off the car, or mangle itself.

I removed the top to look at it. One of the vertical pegs at the front drivers side of the top is so loose and stripped that it falls out and won't thread. I'm tempted to try J-B weld, but will wait for good advice first. Could this loose peg be the whole problem, or is it more likely related to the latch or the windshield frame where the latch grabs??

Advice/opinions appreciated.

Thanks

jtfreels · 03-27-2008, 06:31 PM

Hold off on the JB weld for now

Do a search here you should be able to find some info on adjusting the latches. I'm guessing that pin is part of your problem. Lots of bits to get straight on these tops and I'm just learning about them my self.

Jay

wgirardot · 03-28-2008, 04:21 AM

Try emailing Dan at Cars, Inc. He is the Targa Top Guru, or perhaps an answer is in the archives of this forum somewhere. I am a newbie, my Targa leaks wind and rain.

http://www.carsincnj.com/

JayG · 03-28-2008, 05:11 AM

I mean you could fix that one or find an aftermarket fiberglass one. I have one and I love it. Really light and no latches. Just slide the pins in the back and screw down the front.

Mysterytrain · 03-28-2008, 08:24 AM

Dan is the guy to talk to about your top. In the meantime, you can try to make some adjustments. It appears that someone added a strip of rubber to seal the front of your top. This might be preventing the top from sitting low enough to latch. I would remove it. The other thing I noticed is the side rubber seal. The seal in the picture looks like it is too forward, this will also prevent the top from sitting low enough to latch. The side rubber has 3 or 4 screws that hold it in place..they a deep inside the holes in the rubber. The screws can be loosened and that will allow you to shift the rubber back. There is also the possiblity that the latch is broken. I think that Dan can replace the latches. Do a search there is alot of information on the forum about tops. The posted pictures will give you a good idea off how the top should fit. There is a lot of tweeking required to get it right. The top needs to be square, the windshield seal needs to be the correct one [Dan has the correct ones] and needs to be installed properly.
Please be careful with your top, they can fly off. Used replacements aren't cheap and new tops are more then you paid for the car!

GBG1000 · 03-28-2008, 03:31 PM

Your too right about the cost of a new top. I saw that and it blew me away!!

After giving it some thought, that stripped-out vertical locating peg and the stripped out socket that is supposed to screw into may be the entire problem. That could allow the top to shift enough to let the latch pop off.

I don't see an easy way to get to the female threaded part of that assembly. That is why I am contemplating JB-weld.

I really don't even want to think about throwing hundreds of dollars at this thing.

Shadetree930 · 03-28-2008, 04:04 PM

I really don't even want to think about throwing hundreds of dollars at this thing.

And why not? It's only the 1st step on a long slippery slope.

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

How is the condition of your front seal? The reason I ask is from your pics I see some weather strip which is not needed if the fron seal has a proper fit. I replaced mine and my top fits much better. Purchased from Dan, he is the only person that we know that has the correct fitting front seals for us Targas.

Take a pic of the front seal and the latch housing on the wind shield.

You need that pin, maybe some teflon???

PM me your e-mail and I will send you the Targa Top & Sealing Manual.

TibetanT · TibetanT's Garage

What is this "Targa Top and Sealing Manual" mentioned?

GBG1000 · 03-29-2008, 08:57 AM

Hi DRACO-

Do you refer to the green-covered Porsche Service Scoll Targa Roof Repairs manual? (~11 pages). If so, I have received that from another good Pelican, but didn't find it to be too helpful.

I am not experiencing wind noise or other seal problems, until the latch "pops". I haven't found much discussion on the roof thhreads that discusses the latches popping open.

I have JB-welded the vertical pin/bolt into place in the backplate, but have not taken the car out yet to see if it that has made any difference. It still seems to have a similar amount of play as the passenger side pin.

I will post the Pics that you suggested and let you all know if securing the pin has made any difference.

Thanks/Regards- Jerry