Miata soft top latch issues

I have a friend that bought a 2000 SE like mine because he thought it looked fun. (Not sure what the hell he was looking at.)

He's having an issue with his soft top latches not locking. He's now tried 3 pairs of them in the car, and all have the same problem. They'll latch, but he can just pull it back open with one finger, doesn't need to use the unlock button.

Is there any adjustment anywhere that would help this?

There's a tension adjustment. This is for the NA, but IIRC the NB is the same.

http://www.miata.net/garage/latch_adjust.html

The "nose" on the latch also erodes. You can make up for it for a while by adjusting the tension, but eventually you'll need to replace it. It's cheap, a couple of bucks.

In the meantime, wedge a piece of paper in the cup of the striker plate. This is not a long-term fix

In reply to Keith Tanner:

If I recall correctly, there are at least two different shapes to those little plastic tips, so you need to get the right ones to match your strikers.

They changed in 2003, I think. Post-2000, anyhow.

Does anyone have the part number to this little doohickey?

I'm 90% sure we have them at Flyin' Miata, but they're not on the website right now. If you can wait until Monday morning, I'll put them up.

I have the same problem with my 99. Would like to correct it as well.

Keith Tanner wrote: I'm 90% sure we have them at Flyin' Miata, but they're not on the website right now. If you can wait until Monday morning, I'll put them up.

Awesome. Thanks Keith.

They changed in 11/01/02. $3.75, big money!

https://www.flyinmiata.com/90-02-top-lock-cap.html

https://www.flyinmiata.com/03-05-top-lock-cap.html

Thanks Keith! Link sent his way.

I asked the same question for my old miata. It's quite the scare when you're 6'1" and the top slams down at 70 mph just an inch or two above your head. Never happened again after I replace those little plastic jobbers.

Thanks Keith.