97 Speedster, broken hinges on small hatch on engine cover

[Jsimmy]

Everyone,

My boy stepped directly on to the hatch cover going from the swim platform to the passenger side seat and the hinges to the hatch cover broke. The best I can tell, the hinges are riveted to the engine cover and the hatch cover. How do I go about repairing this?

Thanks in advance!

Jared

 

[scski]

Get some new hinges, drill the old rivets out, and rivet the new ones in. Use aluminum or SS rivets, a hand riveter should be fine.

 

[Jsimmy]

When I drill out the rivets, is there anything in particular I need to be careful of? I've never drilled out a rivet before.

And thanks for the quick response!!

 

[scski]

Just be careful around the gelcoat, all you need to do is drill the head off, the bit only needs to be as large as the shank. Then the back of the rivet will fall or pull out.

 

[Mazdarx]

Make sure and do this before taking it out again too, I didn't and my lid blew off out on the lake.

 

[Jsimmy]

Thanks for that Maz. I figured it would stay on because it still latches so I'm glad you said something :thumbsup:.

 

[Mazdarx]

Yeah so did I. Granted it was rough water that day which probably didn't help.

 

[DriveFast]

I bought my 1997 Speedster with that cover missing, which I could not stand. I bought a replacement and hinges from a local dealer (special order.) I was able to rivet the hinges to the cover without difficulty, but could not get them to snug on the other side (mounting to the big cover.) After a couple of returned rivet guns and lots of frustration, I switched to small stainless nuts and bolts for that side of the hinge. I think it's a better solution anyway.

If you buy hinges, go ahead and order a few spares. They are very weak, flimsy (unfortunatly NOT CHEAP) plastic and they break easily.