[RHClarke]

The 45 HUP is different from the "real" CMPs in many ways. Another difference includes the door latch mechanisms. The two front doors and the side door have the same type latch mechanisms, but the rear door latch mechanism differs for some reason.

Grant pulled out one of his door latch mechanisms for comparision. The HUP of course uses door handles - a most civilized manner of entering or exiting a vehicle for the young "rupert". The remainder of the earlier HUP fleet used the regular sliding knob latch mechanism (less the prototype).

The side door latch was giving me some problems - every so often the cam (see photo four - the circle with the square opening is the offending part) would disengage and the handle would turn without retracting the latch. I pulled out the door latch mechanisms from all four doors to check on their functioning. The side door mechanism had been abused and the casing that enclosed the cam that the shaft of the door handle fit into was warped. How? I don't know. The cam was slipping out of its normal position and allowed the door handle shaft to rotate without moving the latch. Eagle-eyed Grant picked up on the culprit at first glance. After some persuasion the casing was realigned and the shaft cam once again rode in its usual position.

Reinstalling the latch mechanism was fun. There is a slot in the door near the top non-hinge end. The latch mechanism can be removed and replaced via this slot. All it takes is a length of coat hanger and the patience of Job. Once the four screws are removed (two on the end of the door and two on the interior panel), the assembly can be manipulated out of its home.

After a good session with the sandblasting cabinet, the mechanisms were washed and blow dried with high pressure air. The next step was to lube up all of the moving mechanisms and reinstall the latch mechanism into the doors.

While all of this was going on, Bob was putting his finish coat on his door. All too soon, it was time to make tracks back home for dinner. All in all, it was another great weekend at the Hammond Barn.

Photos:

1 - Comparison - large "normal" CMP latch and 45 HUP latch
2 - Comparison two
3 - Comparison three - HUP mechanism on top
4 - Cleaned up latch mechanisms - rear door latch on the left, side door on the right
5 - Bob painting his door