Windshield Latch Release Tool

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006633" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="079005a0ddvuru.png"> <div> <A HREF="http://www.vernco.com/index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.vernco.com/index.htm"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B>     |     </B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>Vern</B><B>co.com</B></FONT></div> <div> back to<B>  </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tips and Tricks"><U><B>Tips and Tricks</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.vernco.com/id173.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.vernco.com/id173.htm"><U><B>Site Map</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=150 BGCOLOR="#669966" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <A HREF="id750.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Easy Transmission Access"><U>Easy Transmission Access</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id310.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Removing the Transfer Case 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<div> <A HREF="id677.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Driveline Calculator"><U>Driveline Calculator</U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> The windshield latches on the dash can be difficult to open.  There is very little room to get your fingers behind the latches.  You can try to pry the latches open with a screwdriver or whatever is handy, but that never seems to work very well.  One afternoon while avoiding household chores the following idea came to me.  A piece of .125" x 1" bar stock was bent to form the perfect tool for popping open the windshield latches.  For padding I dipped the end in some plastic material used to coat tool handles, but this is optional.  After building this from material on hand, I realized .125" x 1.25" bar stock would work even better.  The extra width would open the latch further.  None of the other dimensions are critical.  The long leg is about 7" long, with 1.5" on the short leg.  A pair of bolts were added so the tool can also function as a lever for turning the Warn hubs, explained further below:</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id541.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Windshield Latch Tool Details"><U><IMG SRC="8ce964e0.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> Here the end of the lever is placed behind the latch on the cowl.  By lifting on the lever, the latch is pried open.  It is helpful to gently pull back on the windshield frame to release some tension from the latches.  Closing the latches is not difficult but use your palm so your fingers stay out of the way:</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id542.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Prying Open the Windshield Latch"><U><IMG SRC="8d096500.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="80" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> While staring at my newest creation, I went in for a second round of thinking.  The bar reminded me of homemade tools I've seen for turning balky Warn hubs.  Now don't get too excited telling me that Warn hubs in good condition only need finger pressure to turn, as I know that is true.  However, with a <A HREF="http://www.vernco.com/powr-lok/index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.vernco.com/powr-lok/index.htm"><U>Powr-Lok</U></A>, the hubs must be aligned perfectly with the axleshafts or the dials are very hard to turn.  A pair of holes were drilled and tapped for #10-32 socket head bolts on 1.687" centers.  These bolts, the type turned by an Allen wrench, fit into the hub dials perfectly:</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id545.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hub Wrench Details"><U><IMG SRC="8d296460.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="70" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> Here is the wrench against the hub, with the bolt heads engaging the slots in the dial.  The shanks of the bolts have been ground off flush with the bar on the other side.  Now it is a piece of cake to turn the hubs, even with the Powr-Lok:</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id546.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hub Wrench on Hub"><U><IMG SRC="8d47d550.jpg" border=0 width="125" height="85" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div>  </div> </td> </tr></table></body>