[bjt]

Like many others, I have to use two hands to open the Spyders trunk. One hand on the key to unlatch the trunk and the other to lift the trunk lid.

I had adjusted the trunk latch pin so the trunk weatherstripping was compressed a bit and helped pop the trunk lid up if I opened it with the key. That worked good for about two months. I could pop the trunk with one hand and then release the key and the trunk would stay unlatched. However, it is now back to the two hand operation. I believe the weatherstripping has permanently compressed a bit and isn't pushing up on the trunk lid like it used to. Instead of adjusting the latch pin again to put a bit more pressure on the weatherstrip, I decided to try a mod I had seen someone else do quite a while back.

They put a small spring and a bushing over the trunk latch pin so when they turned the key to open the trunk, the spring would push the trunk up just a bit so the latch pin cleared the latch. I had a small spring or two laying around the garage but it was much larger than the spring that person had used. I contemplated buying the same stuff that he used but I decided to try and do 'zero cost' mod for a change and use the spring I already had. After just a little tweaking, I got my setup to work good. Time will tell if this will hold up to the elements and vibrations of thousands of miles on the road.

On to the details. I cut a flat spot on a fender washer to give a larger solid surface for the latch pin and spring. I cut a similar flat spot on a smaller brass washer. The second washer is a bit larger than the diameter of the spring to retain the spring in position over the latch pin. I then removed the latch pin and installed the brass washer between the two jam nuts on the pin, leaving everything loose. I put the fender washer in position on the trunk lid and screwed the latch pin back on the trunk. Next, I adjusted the latch pin to the proper position and height and tightened the first nut on the pin to hold it in position. (Tip - It is easy to adjust the latch if you remove the fuse cover. That exposes the latch mechanism so you can see how the pin is fitting in relationship to the latch.) Then I threaded / screwed the spring over the brass washer about two complete turns, enough to get the flat end of the spring completely under the washer. I tightened the second nut on top of the brass washer to hold everything tight. I tested the trunk operation and it works exactly how I thought it should. Here are a few pics of the completed assembly.

This post has been edited by bjt: 16 August 2008 - 07:53 PM

[jpcspyder]

How has this mod held up? I have been cursing the two hand opening when I come out of a store with a bag of groceries in one hand and my key in the other. Like you, I loved it when I first got the Spyder and the trunk would pop open from the springiness of the rubber seal. Now the love is gone.

If your mod is still operating, I think I'll give that one a shot.

This post has been edited by jpcspyder: 10 November 2008 - 09:04 PM

[PWJ]

Here is my mod for the Hood Latch:

This post has been edited by PWJ: 12 November 2008 - 11:01 PM

[sabunim5]

The spring mod is a permanent solution.

[brutus450]

I just did what PWJ did and it works PERFECT!! Thanks PWJ..............it took me about 2 seconds to drop the spring in and I was done!

[PWJ]

brutus450, on Jan 9 2009, 07:08 PM, said:

I just did what PWJ did and it works PERFECT!! Thanks PWJ..............it took me about 2 seconds to drop the spring in and I was done!

Better start my patent paper work.

Mod still works the same as the day it was installed.

[johnboy]

Very similar method here, Instead of fitting the spring under a washer I just tightened the first coil so that it grips the adjusting nut. No fiddling around to get the catch adjustment correct either. Works every time.

[Gary]

I know this post was here for a while. I've wanted to do it , and finlly got around to it works great and is simple to do. Most older car hoods have a spring on them set up jusr like this so i know it will work fine .

[superiorspyder]

Has anyone purchased this pre-made spring kit from carbonfiberspyder.com ? And has anyone mod'd their spyder with any carbon fiber?

[QuadManiac]

It's pretty obvious that BRP had intended to put a spring in there, as PWJ has done... there's a cylindrical groove (post in center) at the bottom of the molded latch housing just waiting for a spring. I'll bet BRP was concerned about the hood not being latched properly with the spring in there (i.e., the owner is too stupid to push it down) so they left it out after the fact.

Mine's went in today, works great! Got a pack of assorted compression springs from Home Depot for $2.49 (Everbilt #685 436). Included in the pack is a pair 13/32" x 2 3/4" x 0.047" springs. I cut off a 0.75" (3/4")piece of one of these. While holding the key to keep the latch open, and using a pair of needle-nose pliers, the cut end of the spring snugs nicely onto the post in the bottom of the molded latch assembly, and its top sits just below the sliding catch.

Now, turn the key, and the hood pops up just a 1/16" or so, but stays unlatched. A normal push or drop of the trunk lid and it latches nicely.

This post has been edited by QuadManiac: 25 May 2009 - 06:20 PM

[tat2dncuffed]

there on ebay

[rongon]

Yes there on E-bay for $19.99 plus shipping I did mine with the compression spring pack from HomeDepot for $4.89 and works great.

Ron

[2333]

Yeah, I saw the one on EBAY. Twenty five bucks? I do not mind paying a little for someone to do the R&D but man..... These are the guys that want like $450.00 for a pair of fenders aren't they?

[Some Guy]

Finally a cheap mod!!! I spent 80 cents at Ace Hardware.

[Bill Gargan]

superiorspyder, on May 21 2009, 07:06 PM, said:

Has anyone purchased this pre-made spring kit from carbonfiberspyder.com ? And has anyone mod'd their spyder with any carbon fiber?

Hi, I got that spring. $19.95 if I remember. It is peel-and-stick glue mounted onto the cover. Installation 6 seconds (peeling the paper took a bit to snag an edge) and it works great. Bill Gargan

[Spydrmn]

superiorspyder, on May 21 2009, 07:06 PM, said:

Has anyone purchased this pre-made spring kit from carbonfiberspyder.com ? And has anyone mod'd their spyder with any carbon fiber?

Yes, I've outfitted my spyder with some carbon fiber from this seller on ebay. I have the handlebar inlays and the trim pieces by your knees. Very simple install, looks great as I have the silver spyder. Adds a little sumthin sumthin. I don't think that I'll be doing to much more carbon at this time. The pieces they have available now are still a little pricey.

[fifty7]

QuadManiac, on May 24 2009, 06:27 PM, said:

It's pretty obvious that BRP had intended to put a spring in there, as PWJ has done... there's a cylindrical groove (post in center) at the bottom of the molded latch housing just waiting for a spring. I'll bet BRP was concerned about the hood not being latched properly with the spring in there (i.e., the owner is too stupid to push it down) so they left it out after the fact.

Mine's went in today, works great! Got a pack of assorted compression springs from Home Depot for $2.49 (Everbilt #685 436). Included in the pack is a pair 13/32" x 2 3/4" x 0.047" springs. I cut off a 0.75" (3/4")piece of one of these. While holding the key to keep the latch open, and using a pair of needle-nose pliers, the cut end of the spring snugs nicely onto the post in the bottom of the molded latch assembly, and its top sits just below the sliding catch.

Now, turn the key, and the hood pops up just a 1/16" or so, but stays unlatched. A normal push or drop of the trunk lid and it latches nicely.

I got the same spring pack. Thanks PWJ for the idea

[Pincushion]

I also installed this spring .....AWESOME
It should be factory.
I have no idea why they didn't include it.

[mooneych]

Pincushion, on 06 September 2009 - 03:37 PM, said:

I also installed this spring .....AWESOME
It should be factory.
I have no idea why they didn't include it.

Ace hardware spring #155. Cost $1.13 Opening the trunk with one hand.......PRICELESS!!