Topcase Lid Latch pin wearing

[cfell]

Howdy..
I noticed the following wear pattern on my Topcase Lid Latch pins: http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/5/8/0/3/DSC01373Small_thumb.jpg


or

http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/5/8/0/3/DSC01373Small_thumb.jpg

[cfell]

The "fix" is to replace the entire topcase.... !!!

I have other ideas... how about you?

[astuber]

Mine has the same wear pattern. But then, the dealer had to replace the latch mechanism too. I am going to try to file down the latch hooks to see if it makes any difference.

[meese]

The pins are the same part as used on the K11 bikes, which are available separately. It's probably worth polishing out the latch hooks as well.

[bob_menton]

It's in the FAQ, guys, originally posted by me years ago. The top case pins for the LT are not called out as separate parts in the K12LT parts book - but they ARE called out as separate parts in the K11LT parts book, and they're exactly the same pins. Couple bux each, as I recall, plus an additional 10 cents each if you also want the e-clips that hold the pin in place.

- Bob

[cfell]

Thanks Bob!
I used "search" and never got it to show.. my goof.

P/N 46-54-2-316-317 Pin $1.65 ea.
P/N 07-11-9-932-815 E-clip $0.10 ea.

Here is the link..
http://www.bmwlt.net/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=K1200LT&Number=37781&page=12&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&vc=1

Peace...O, and yes, Meese, great idea to "polish" the hooks

[bob_menton]

Thanks Bob!
I used "search" and never got it to show.. my goof.

P/N 46-54-2-316-317 Pin $1.65 ea.
P/N 07-11-9-932-815 E-clip $0.10 ea.

Here is the link..
http://www.bmwlt.net/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=K1200LT&Number=37781&page=12&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&vc=1

Peace...O, and yes, Meese, great idea to "polish" the hooks

Take your time polishing the hooks - they're surprisingly hard for a cheap looking piece of metal.

- Bob

[astuber]

Definitely polish the hooks. The latch mechanism will break long before the pins. If the pin breaks it's no big deal compared to the latch mechanism breaking.

[HarvRead]

CFELL, be sure and read-up on "broken trunk latch plates" and take preventive action ASAP! The same force that is wearing grooves in your pins will (soon) break your latch plate!

[Ric]

There is a ton of info regarding this problem. Best fix is to file/grind down the latch hooks a little at a time and try closing the lid. Eventually you will get to the point where the lid closes with little effort and with no wear and tear on the latch mech. Rick

[kdog]

CFELL, be sure and read-up on "broken trunk latch plates" and take preventive action ASAP! The same force that is wearing grooves in your pins will (soon) break your latch plate!

Not necessarily. I've had half-sawn-though pins in my trunk for 100K miles, and I've not broken my trunk latch. In my case, they wore like that very early on during the life of the bike, then stopped wearing. I think it's more of a metalurgy problem than a friction problem. I think the best thing you can do for the longevity of your latch is to press down on the top of the trunk whenever you open or close it. That unloads almost all the pressure off the latch.

Regards,
-joel

[gulfxray]

For those that have filed their latches....

Do you have a picture/template you could share or give me/us some idea of about how much had to come off and where?

TIA...

[Daveh]

If you search the old forum for trunk latch you will find Mark Neblett's post with pictures on how much to grind off. I tried to copy and paste the link, no luck though.

[Bankerboy]

I put my pins in the trusty electric drill and held a file and took them to half their size to eliminate pressure. Seems to work great and I would sooner replace a broken pin than the latch.

[ksailor]

Dec. Channing:

I remove the locking mechanism and "C" clips and placed the latch lock hoods in a vice and ground down the inside according to Mark Neblett's instructions. Smooth closure and no more problems; makes closing the trunk lid easy and still waterproof. Used a dremmel tool with a grinding stone and took off about 1/8th inch.

Peace Bro...

[cfell]

Thanks, y'all... I'm considering these steps in the near future.

I have been "pressing" down on the topcase while closing and up until recently had kept them lubed...about 2 months ago when I did my 12k maintenance I forgot to lube them...

I'm going to lube them and polish them first.. then see if the dealer will replace the topcase =)...

Nah... I'm just gonna show them the part numbers and see if they will make it a "warranty" replacement..