I was driving to work this morning with the top down and noticed that the condition of the strike plates for the top latches seemed really worned. These are the two solid steel "cups" at the top of the front windshield frame that mates with the top latches. My car is only one year old, but I suppose I put the top up/down quite often (twice a day at least, put it up when I get to work (can't leave the car parked all day with the top down), and put it down again when I go home at night (it is parked in the garage, so I leave the top down all night)).

I am curious what the condition of the strike plates are for other owners. Has anyone replaced them yet? I would have thought they are hardened steel, but they seemed quite soft to me. The thin black rubber covering was gone the first time I put the top down, and now the metal is showing a lot of wear.

 

I was worried about the same thing last year. After a month, it looked really worn. But it never got worse, so I stopped worrying about it. It is fairly soft metal, and I think that the hook just "breaks in" the strike plate.

 

I park mine in a garage, but always with the top up. I have heard it is better for the top/plastic window. What does everyone else (or at least a few of you ) do? Does it matter if you've got the rear mat and cushion for the window?

 

My take on it, MJMSC, is that leaving it up and latched stretches out the top leading to a loose, concave top. On the other hand, leaving it down creases/mashes the plastic window. So, I leave it up but unlatched when in the garage. BUT DON'T FORGET TO LATCH IT BEFORE YOU DRIVE


[Edited by Silver S2K on 02-05-2001 at 02:04 PM]

 

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Mine showed signs of wear the first time it was used. I don't think it's severe. Bugs me more that I didn't make sure the rear window went down right and I ended up with that damn crease. I'm hoping it relaxes when the Texas Heat burns it back into shape.
Wea: I think we own the only yellow here. Maybe another, but not many.

 

I think back in late "99" or early "00" somebody went to a gun shop and got some gun bluing (sp?) and used it on the strike plates. They said it covered it well and seemed to last.

 

Thanks for the scoop on this. I'll have to check mine now.

 

I used to leave it top down all the time. What I found is that it left wrinkles in the plastic. Whenever I park now I put the top up.

 

I have also noted some wear on the latch strike plates. An unexpected bonus in the hardtop kit was two new replacement plates. I don't need them yet, but they are nice to have in store anyway.