Now, with new latch parts (both upper and lower) the system will not latch. With both pieces in hand, engaging them takes major compression force to get the white nylon latch deep enough to drop out and engage the metal lip of the receiver. Using the key or the remote release mechanism disengages the nylon latch from the engagement ledge, but the whole issue is so compressed that the latch ejection spring is not strong enough to dislodge the two parts without significant "wiggling" of the two housings.
Have I done something wrong? do I have the wrong parts? is this normal as the parts become mated?
Also, when mounted to their respective body parts, there is not enough penetration of the top part into the receiver to accomplish the latching. Is shimming necessary? If so, which piece? <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />
This is getting silly!!

 

The adjustments involved are:

Alignment of the upper and lower latch assemblies. They must be very well aligned, or friction can cause difficulty in unlatching. This is controlled by the mounting of the upper and lower latch parts on their respective mounting surfaces and by the positioning of the hatch on the hinges plus the seating of the rubber bumpers on the side of the hatch.

Depth of engagement. This is controlled by two adjustments:
The shimming of the upper and lower latch parts on their respective mounting surfaces; and
The rest position of the hatch, as determined by the adjustable bumpers.

There are usually shaped "shims" under the latch parts. If these are missing, the penetration may be too low to allow latching. These are sometimes removed to accomodate wear.

 

Are the shaped shims available?