Windshield Latch Hook

[cabinfever]

One of the windshield latches on my M38A1 does not latch tight. I've boiled it down to one of the hooks. If the suspicious hook is on the right side, the right latch is loose when closed. When I move the suspicious hook to the left side, the left latch is loose when closed. When I compare the two hooks side-by-side I cannot tell that there is any difference....but there must be!

I am well aware the hook height is adjustable due to the slots that the screws fit thru. When I screw in the suspicious hook, I attach it all the way down in the adjustment slots.

Since I doubt that I can bend the hook lip downward without damaging it, I am tempted to grind the attachment slots on one side of the jeep a little longer. Any ideas?

[wesk]

Does the loose latch also have a more worn pivot pin or hole in which the pivot pin rotates? That would allow the latch to stretch a bit more when drawing it closed.

[cabinfever]

Both latches work fine with Hook A, but neither latch works with Hook B. I am going to take both hooks off and do some precise measuring to see if Hook B is bent or a different size. In the past, when I've compared the two hooks side-by-side they seem identical.

[wesk]

When all things on the latches are equal, including wear, then the culprit will be a crushed gasket on the loose side or a bent hinge.

[cabinfever]

Thanks, Wes. I'll take a good look at the gasket and hinges.