M2 Bottom plate latch has lost it's snap

[picker77]

This latch has lost most of it's springiness so the little D-shaped "handle" flops down instead of snapping back to it's stored-flat position as it should. There is no actual spring in this latch, it apparently works by the inherent spring action of a slightly (intentionally) bent pin that runs lengthwise through the straight part of the "D". Is there a fix for this that anyone knows about? I've been reluctant to increase the bend in the spring pin, but I guess I might have to try that if there's no other option. Any ideas?

 

[Sparrow]

Increase the curve of the C shaped latch (so it binds a little on the spindle); it’s the spring in that which causes the “snap” I believe, it works anyway

PS I don’t think the cross shaft should be bent, at least the one I fixed wasn’t

 

[picker77]

LOL! Maybe that's my problem, Stewart. The through-pin on mine is slightly bent, so I thought it was supposed to be that way.

 

[Al Kaplan]

I'll give that a try. Thanks! I've been keeping it in place with a bit of masking tape for at least five years now.