The 'E' Type Forum

The sliding catches that hold the luggage board up in my FHC keep sliding to the open position. Should there be a spring or some other means to hold the catch in the closed/open position?

Taking the catch off the board there are two small deeper cut outs (detents?) in the slot the catch slides along, almost as though there should be a spring to hold the catch in the open or closed positions.

Thanks
Geoff

Evening, Geoff

No springs - it should just slide back and forth. Not sure how it manages to keep sliding open though as effectively that's against gravity. Is it shaking open perhaps? If the 90-degree tab on the bracket that the lock slides into isn't snug against the board when the board is raised it can happen. A few taps on the back of the tab so that the board rests securely ought to do the trick if so.

Hope this helps

Simon

Hi Simon, how are things?

Thanks, it must be shaking loose and can't push that tab any further without it catching the board as it goes up and down. Will work at getting the geometry a bit better over the winter, don't expect to have anything too heavy in the back that would wish to migrate forward under braking.

Regards
Geoff

Ah - my cr*p explanation I think It's the part of the 90-degree bracket that the board rests against that needs to be adjusted so that it's snug against the back of the board. Effectively the combination of the sliding tab and that bit of the bracket should lock the board in place - any residual movement means the bracket needs a bit of gentle persuasion, otherwise the board will start to shake free.

Things are good, thanks. I spent the day watching my Lancia 'having its bits waxed' [I treated its undersides to a professional coating of industrial strength Waxoyl. Should see it through for a good few years more!]

Simon

Thanks Simon, yes it effectively clamps it in place like a vice. Now I shall look again at mine and fettle a bit.

Geoff

Hi Geoff,
My luggage board catches have exactly the same problem of opening themselves. How did you get on curing it?
Thanks, Ross

There should be a rubber buffer on the right angle bracket - that compresses a little to hold the catch against the bracket. There is no sliding adjustment on the bracket as they are pop riveted to the wheelarch.

Ross, as 1954Etype says there should be a rubber buffer. Both were missing from mine. Before learning that I had had to refit the right angle bracket due to it being loose, so ended up bending it so it made a firm hold on the board. I may find some rubber to make a buffer and re-do the job another day.

Hope this helps
Geoff

Hi,
Bit late but might be of use.
The sliding bolts do have a detent.
Remove the bolt assembly from the board. Unscrew the knurled knob and the assembly comes apart. There is a tiny spring and a ball bearing that live in a hole in the slide. Your spring may have become damaged.
I only discovered this when getting it re-chromed.
This is on a October 1962 3.8 FHC.
Cheers
Sean