Inner workings of the chrome window catches

[Chapmag]

Hi all,
My Mk1 came with its original chrome window catches, but one of them doesn't work.
I've dismantled it and found that the larger of the two springs, the horizontal one behind the push button, is "floating".
That is it's not fixed to the back of the barrel it sits in or the back of the moving part with the button you press.
Anyone know which is should be fixed to?
I'm loathed to dismantle one of the others in case I cause it not to work!
Thanks in anticipation.
G.

[timmy201]

The bigger of the two springs is just held in place by the cupped end of the button and the recess in the housing. It will fall out if you pull the lower pin out

I normally put the big spring in first, then compress the button and hold it closed with a cable tie or tape. Then you add the lower pin, small spring and then the retaining plate/washer

[Chapmag]

Many thanks Timmy201,
That spring looks a lot longer than the one I have.
Could you let me have the dimensions?
I suspect I may have only half a spring!!!!???
TIA, G.

[timmy201]

The button spring is about 19mm long. The lower pin spring is about 14.5mm long

IMG_7656.jpeg

As you assemble the spring and button into one, the resting point of the spring is shown below (before the lower pin is installed)

IMG_7659.jpeg

[Chapmag]

Now that is interesting because the 3 that work have the button flush with the body... the "broken" one I have presents its self in the same way as your last photo!!!! More investigations to do!!! Many thanks. G.

[Chapmag]

Another thought... my one that looks like your last photo, the button/barrel falls out of the window catch with little effort!? G

[timmy201]

Sorry, to clarify the bottom photo is how they look before the lower pin is installed

If the lower pin extends down too far, or if the lower spring is missing the button has a chance of popping out

[Peter Laidler]

Probably the strangest semi-response on the forum to date.
But this window mechanism is exactly the same as the c.1936 or so Bren Gun, barrel catch retaining mechanism! Two springs, a cam, a press button and a catch. Not a lot of people know that. But you never know when it might arise during a Mini themed quiz night!
(probably the longest serving bit of kit in the Army, from adoption in 1937 to late 2003)
Overseers, please feel free to delete if not wholly appropriate!

On the subject of springs, most hardware shops sell - or used to sell..... - boxes of assorted small springs that you could simply cut to length.

Just been told by a clever-arse that the longest serving bit of kit were Bedford Trucks. Well, you can't be right all the time as I'm told by wifey every day

[Chapmag]

I think you have helped me identify my problem.
Namely, a replacement large spring.
Mine is only 13mm long and is to wide to fit in the recess on the back of the button.
The result being that the button cannot be pressed in far enough to completely clear the pin.
Hence, the button is not locked in place when the pin is fitted.
Could you be kind enough to measure the diameter of the spring you have.
If so, then my search can begin!!!
TIA,
G.

[timmy201]

The diameter of the big spring is 7.66mm on my vernier calipers