Broken Targa Top Handle

GWN7 · 08-13-2008, 10:31 PM

Found the drivers side top handle on the floor (new to me car). It has what looks like a screwed in piece of metal extending out about 1/8" on either side, but when I try to open the roof with it, it slips out. Passenger side is in place and unlocks the top like it's suppost to.

What's suppost to hold the handle in place?

And how do I get the top off without the handle?

snbush67 · snbush67's Garage

It sounds by your description that the drivers side handle is unusable. The passengers side handle should come out also from the unlocked position, it can then be inserted into the drivers side hole to unlock it.

GWN7 · 08-14-2008, 12:00 AM

Ok, How does it come out from the unlocked position? Don't want to force it and have two broken handles........

snbush67 · snbush67's Garage

If you rotate the handle so that it is pointing down then you should be able to pull straight it out, you may have to wiggle it a bit.

I'll try to find a picture for you.

snbush67 · snbush67's Garage

snbush67 · snbush67's Garage

It is probably more like 45 deg. than straight down according to the manual. My handles both pull out pretty easily.

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

There is a pin w/ a fat side and a thin side that engages the targa latch mechanism

GWN7 · 08-14-2008, 07:06 AM

Thanks guys.....perfect info

BeyGon · 08-14-2008, 07:32 AM

Do people drive their targas around with the handles in place?

RC-Escape · 08-14-2008, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeyGon

Do people drive their targas around with the handles in place?

No. I have one Targa top operating handle and keep it in my glove box.

daepp · 08-14-2008, 09:41 AM

I've never removed the tt handles on my 72. Why bother?

BeyGon · 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daepp

I've never removed the tt handles on my 72. Why bother?

If they steal it at least make them bring their own handles.

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeyGon

Do people drive their targas around with the handles in place?

Mine have been in place in the top for 30 odd years, only out for photo ops

fintstone · fintstone's Garage

Mine are also kept in the glove box.

snbush67 · snbush67's Garage

I didn't even realize they came out until one fell on me.

BeyGon · 08-14-2008, 02:40 PM

I Never used to understand how Targa Tops got stolen. Now I think I do.

sagacis · 11-07-2008, 06:48 AM

I took my handles off today to work on the padding. The handles had never even felt like they should be removable before, but I kept tugging per this thread and the owner's manual.

It turns out there is a spring clip at the bottom of the receiver that holds the handle fast. People whose handles fall out must be missing the clips or haven't pushed the handles in far enough to engage the clips with the notch on the handle shaft.

s_chev · s_chev's Garage

I just want to know where to get that cool sweeter that guy is wearing in the user manual. Sweeeet.

met · 09-02-2010, 05:53 AM

sorry to dredge up this old post but, my Top catch pin has split, ive put a small jubilee clip around it so i can operate the roof and have found a supplier that can sell me the PIN, can anyone tell me from expereince how to open the Top Latch mechanism up, looks like its bonded and pressed, or riveted? is there anything to watch for when opening? flying springs etc, thanks in advance

UrQuattro · UrQuattro's Garage

Okie, I have fairly recent experience with this exact thing. The pin you got is a pretty inexpensive part, right? Between 15-30 buck or something like that?

I had my mechanic do the work. Apparently what he did was pry open the lip that is folded over holding the two sides together. Some people have used a grindingwheel an found that there was enough material to still get it back to holding itself together.

I THINK I do remember my mechanic saying that a spring or two did come popping out, and though he had lost it/one, but was able to find it. So maybe when you finally get to the point of actually opening it, open it in a bag or some other container that will catch any pieces that come loose.

Here's the thing... These weren't meant to come apart like this after the factory originally sealed them (STUUUPID in my opinion given that eventually these pins are gonna break, and the replacement assembly is hugely expensive.) they could have facilitated a way for that pin to be removed via the retaining clip, or via some other simple method, but they didn't.

So, be careful when you pry that thin lip of metal out to keep enough to be able to re-fold it back over the other half.

Apparently it took my mechanic at the time, about 4 hours to get it open, because they didn't want to accidentally break it beyond repair.

There is a thread I started last year about this. It would have been last July I think. I'll try to find the link for you.

EDIT: found the link to the thread I refer to in here: Question about the release lock on my targa top - ie. broken slot for the handle

There are a couple of other solutions that may work for you that were proposed in there. But my mechanic didn't even want to try the other solutions, he said that they couldn't work, even though they obviously could, since the people giving me the solutions had working tops.

Michael