Twin Lift-Off Panel Latch Assembly - Revised
Number 83-T-78A Section 2 Date 9/84Subject: TWIN LIFT-OFF PANEL LATCH ASSEMBLY- 1982 AND 1983 FIREBIRDS
To revise the latching of the twin lift-off panel assemblies, a new latch assembly has been released for servicing the 1982 and 1983 Firebirds.
To install new latch assemblies to existing lift-off panels follow procedure outlined below and shown on attached figures.
Remove
1.. Lift-off panel from car and place on a clean protective surface
2. Latch assembly
3. Body side front and rear striker assemblies
4. Body side front and rear striker supports
Figure 1 - Front And Rear Striker Supports And Plastic Latch Strikers:
Install
1. New front and rear striker supports using existing mounting plates and nuts as shown in Figure 1.
2. Front and rear plastic latch strikers to supports loosely using high low screw (Figure 1).
Figure 2 - Latch Assembly:
3. Latch assembly adjusting plate(s) to lift-off glass panel support (Figure 2) with extruded portion of plate(s) inserted into glass support slot. Bottom edge of plate(s) must be against flange(s) of glass support before drilling two (2) 1/8 inch holes through plastic support(s) using plate as guide. Attach plates to support using high low screw.
4. Lift-off panel assembly to body for proper adjustment and tighten front and rear plastic striker screws.
FIGURE 3 - Garnish Molding Installation:
5. With lift-off panel removed, position front and rear opening garnish moldings to body. Using upper garnish molding attached hole(s) as guide, drill 1/8 inch hole through plastic latch strikers. Install garnish molding using high low screw at the upper attachment locations and existing screw(s) at lower locations. For proper adjustments see Figure 3.
The following complete latch conversion kits (less glass) 20496893 (right) and/or 20496894 (left) are available through WDDGM.
Figure 2 - Latch Assembly:
VISUALLY INSPECT GLASS ASM FOR FLUSHNESS TO ROOF & FORE-AFT GAP TO ROOF OPENING (FRONT & REAR) CYCLE LATCH HANDLE TO INSPECT FOR LATCHING EFFORT. IF ADJUSTMENT IS REQUIRED PROCEED WITH THE FOLLOWING OPERATION.
ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE (VIEW B AND C)
REMOVE GLASS ASM FROM BODY. LOOSEN (4) STRIKERS ATTACHING SCREWS & ADJUST STRIKERS UP AND DOWN AS REQUIRED. RETIGHTEN SCREWS TO A SPECIFIED TORQUE 3 TO 4 N-m. LOOSEN (4) SUPPORT ATTACHING NUTS AND ADJUST SUPPORTS IN AND OUT/FORE-AFT AS REQUIRED, RETIGHTEN NUTS TO A SPECIFIED TORQUE OF 6.0 TO 8.0 N-m. INSTALL GLASS ASM.