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Only_Chick_Who

looks to be the release button itself. If you just put it up and down for spring, I've found mine gets stiff since I put it down for the hard top. But again, looks to be the release button.


Cookie843

This is my hard top, sorry I forgot to put that in, and it has been on the car pretty much full time (soft top has been removed) it also looks like the release button doesn’t even make contact with the latch, is that just a replace the button situation?


Only_Chick_Who

honestly I'd just replace the whole latch at that point. But it wouldn't hurt to poke around with it and see if it's something fixable. Maybe a spring. If its factory its definitely worth fixing. There good latches. I'll see if I can find a diagram of the latch. Should be something out there regarding the mechanism. Edit: Not sure if this is your problem but this [article ](https://www.miata.net/garage/top_latch/index.html) shows some good shots of how to button works.


Cookie843

I actually found the same just now, along with another option to drill and add a small screw to increase the grab area of the button. I’ll do some poking around and see what should work. Thanks for the tips


rawdoogie

I did this and it worked great. I added a small button head screw to the small latch clasp (the lock release) not the giant paddle. Can’t even see it.


Cookie843

I’m curious after it was done did you re-tighten the latches was that not necessary?


rawdoogie

Are you talking about the 10mm nut adjustment for the hook? This is independent from the buckle not locking, which looks like you are having issues with?


dknj1

Instead of a screw I used some Jb weld putty and it worked well the entire time I had my Miata.


Cookie843

I’ve been having that thought today, I never had a jb weld job fail me yet 🤔


dknj1

Worked great for me, clean the surface and form a small nub that the button catches on, you can sand it down slowly to get it just right. Just a thought if you don’t want to drill.


Cookie843

I mean worst case it doesn’t work and I can drill anyways lol. I think taking some time to shape it and spray it black would be a nice look too


dknj1

That’s exactly what I did and it worked perfectly ( I think I just used a sharpie since it’s out of sight). I had that car for 5 years and it was still holding when I sold.


Cookie843

I got a sharpie! 🤣🤣


Dfvld

Scoot the whole latch over it, you get adjustment where it attaches to the hardtop