Re: Great Idea on mcoupe.net ... Here is another. (archive)

After I put this together, I went looking for a cotter pin, to make the solution easier to do for others. I couldn't find a cotter pin that had the right dimensions. By the time the eye size was big enough for the push-rod diameter, the pin itself was way too fat. The fatter cotter pin was also much harder to bend nicely, so the finished part wasn't as nice. The only other solution was to use a thinner pin, and reform it to fit the rod diameter... but that seemed like more work than just making one from a piece of wire.

The "wire-form" I refer to is just the shape you bend the wire into, with a pair of needle nose plyers. The welding wire is easy to find at a hardware store, could also use utility wire. 3/32" is a very common size.

Total cost of the parts is less than 25 cents, and took me less than an hour to do the job, including wigging out the solution.

: I installed a cotter pin using the same idea with 2 zip ties and it is easily obtained at your local hardware or auto parts store for about 10 cents each. (you will want one that is about 1.5 inches long) I don't even know what a Wireform, from steel wire (3/32" welding rod or similar) is.

: I've had it on for about a week and have slammed door shut (on accident) and used my keyless entry several times. Upon inspection yesterday, all was snug & secure.

: -Mikeyz

: : : The trim panel is easy to remove. Two screws are under button caps, uner the handle. Otherwise the rest of the panel is held with conventional push-in panel fasteners. I pulled the bottom loose first, then the top edge, where I could lift the panel to get some visibility. No wires are anything is connected between the trim panel and the hatch, so you can set it aside.

: : :
: : : : What is the best way to get to the guts of the latch assembly? I looked at the rear inside door trim but wasn't sure where to start removing it. Thanks!

: : : : Tnunnery
: : : : '00 M coupe
: : : : Columbia, SC
: : : : (tie-wraps at the ready)

: : : : : For the push-button operation, when the car is unlocked, a small pull-rod is activated froma plastic bell crank arm. The retaining impression on the plastic crank arm is too small, and weak. When it snaps off, the pull-rod falls out of the crank arm, and the hatch won't open.

:
: : : : : I pulled off the rear inside door trim, fabricated a retainer for the pull-ron from 3/32" steel welding wire and two zip ties. Looking at the construction, I would guess that any dealer repair won't last, as they will just install a new plastic arm, which is not a great design.

: : : : : 2000 M coupe Imola Red

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