Are the Hold Pins Removeable on the Bolt-On Stainless Steel Spring Latch?

Updated 06/10/2026 | Published 04/30/2026

Question:

Are the hold open pins removeable?

asked by: Michael C

Expert Reply:

Hello Michael,

Great question.

The hold-open pins on the Bolt-On Stainless Steel Spring Latch # SL716SS are not designed to be removable. They are fixed in place as part of the latch assembly and work with the roll pin in the bolt to create the hold-open feature when the plunger is rotated.

While the roll pin could technically be driven out with tools, it’s not intended to be a serviceable or removable component, and doing so could damage or affect how the latch functions.

Can you tell me where you’re planning to install this latch and why removing the pin is important? I’d like to see if there’s a different option that would work better for your setup.

expert reply by: Kate F

Bolt-On Stainless Steel Spring Latch Dimensions
(click to enlarge)

Ryan

5/5/2026

I love these pins. I used to have the individual pins with a cotter pin to hold them in place. I switched to these pins and they work amazingly well. I mounted them on each side of my trailer and now I just have to pull back the pin and twist it to lock in the open position. So much easier. I highly recommend them.

Kate F.

5/5/2026

@Ryan Thanks for the response Ryan, nice to hear that first hand experience.

Don

6/9/2026

While they may not be designed or intended to be taken apart, that’s what I did. My aluminum utility trailer has these exact same latches to hold the ramp vertical. The aluminum bracket was welded to the trailer instead of bolted on. One of the latch pins was replaced before I owned the trailer and was zinc plated steel instead of SS and was 1” shorter. The other was original but slightly bent and did not work well. I bought two of these new latches and removed the hold back pin and used the pin and spring to reassemble to the existing brackets. I reused the hold back pins but they could be replaced with long 5/32” roll pins. The hold back pins are solid SS instead of a hollow spring steel roll pin. I feel comfortable with this repair. I tried to find a 7/16” SS pin like this separately but could only find the shorter zinc plated pins. The zinc plated pins worked but the shorter length just barely held the ramp up.

Kate F.

6/10/2026

@Don Thanks so much for the response Don. It sounds like you were able to successfully reuse the existing welded brackets on your trailer by transferring the pin and spring components from the new latches and sourcing a longer 7/16" stainless pin. You're correct that the roll pin can be driven out and the latch disassembled, although this isn't a service procedure specified by the manufacturer and isn't how the latch is intended to be installed or repaired. Because of that, we can't guarantee performance after modification, but it's helpful to hear how you adapted the latch for your particular application. We appreciate you taking the time to share your solution, as it may help other customers facing a similar situation with welded-on brackets.