Different kind of rear window latch issue

For the first time the rear window gave me a hard time unlatching this morning.  I eventually did get it to release and noticed a notch in the u shaped piece on the glass that the latch would hold on to.  Looked like it had been done with a very nice Swill pattern file.  Seems the latch mechanism is wearing on this piece.  I researched the other forum and found most attention has gone to the solenoid issues, nothing about this "notching" is coming up.  Anyone else experienced this or observed it?

I cannot see how the u shaped comes off the window and am not thrilled about swapping out a rear window.  I have a spare rear glass on the shelf just in case.  Might be able to have a touch with a welder to close and build up the surface (notch) to reshape where it is worn.  Don't know how the glass would like that though.  If it was off it'd be easier.

Thoughts?  Thanks in advance,

Richard Snipes
4501 Safari in Jax, FL

You can remove the striker plate by removing the two bolts that hold it to the exterior handle. Be careful reassembling it, the bolts have a twin thread, with one larger than the other. When reassembling, you should be able to thread the them in with your fingers until they are almost tight. If you get them in the wrong trace, they will strip the threads out of the plastic handle.

The latch can be adjusted up and down, and the striker plate can be moved a little as well. There is a place that it will work properly even with the wear on the striker. I believe almost all of the strikers have some wear on them. Building it back up is also an option. It would be nice if it were heat treated, so that it wears less, but then the latch would wear in proportion to what the striker did not wear. I would use very small increments, and mark the original position of the latch if you are going to adjust it. Noting the amount of wear on the striker would give you a starting point for moving the latch up.

I put a different striker on mine, and had to move it around a little until it would latch correctly. Some cars are a little more finicky than others.

Whatever you do, do not weld near the glass. A couple of burns can cause the entire glass to explode. Mine did, and spread glass in a 15 foot radius around the car.

Thanks for the info, Fred. It's always something as we, and our cars, age.

Richard

If you can find one, get a spare 3rd light assembly. My original one came loose, and I got a junk yard one that fits much better. My guess is that the previous owner didn't know about the threads that Fred mentioned, and cross threaded them. Mine is now tight, as I put it on correctly.

If you strip the threads, all you need is the exterior handle.

^ That.

I stripped the threads on one. Oops.