Deck/Trunk Spring Help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 416
Likes: 1
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Deck/Trunk Spring Help
Alright. 
When I picked up my '60, the decklid wasn't bolted down. It wasn't too long after I got it home that I realized something was not quite right with the driver's side hinge. The trunk seems to be fine (so far) - but if I bolt the decklid down and close it - the driver's side is about a half inch too high at the rear.
There is some obvious evidence in the tower near the top rivets in the trunk lip of a little kink in the sheet metal piece, but I know the entire piece isn't pushed down a half inch. It almost seems the paddle that bolts to the decklid is bent down almost 10 degrees. Measurements around the trunk lip don't show it to be any different than the passenger side
The unknown history of these cars fascinate me (when they are not frustating me).
Just looking for some pointers. Disassemble the mechanism, find a used piece, use a bigger hammer (
)??
Thanks all. I'll get pictures if needed. Someone decided they needed my camera more than me last month at a convention in Vegas.
When I picked up my '60, the decklid wasn't bolted down. It wasn't too long after I got it home that I realized something was not quite right with the driver's side hinge. The trunk seems to be fine (so far) - but if I bolt the decklid down and close it - the driver's side is about a half inch too high at the rear.
There is some obvious evidence in the tower near the top rivets in the trunk lip of a little kink in the sheet metal piece, but I know the entire piece isn't pushed down a half inch. It almost seems the paddle that bolts to the decklid is bent down almost 10 degrees. Measurements around the trunk lip don't show it to be any different than the passenger side
The unknown history of these cars fascinate me (when they are not frustating me).
Just looking for some pointers. Disassemble the mechanism, find a used piece, use a bigger hammer (
)??Thanks all. I'll get pictures if needed. Someone decided they needed my camera more than me last month at a convention in Vegas.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 0
From: Detroit MI
This camera incendent doesnt have anything to do with what we were discussing the other night does it???
Sounds like maybe one of your hinges is bent, broken? something??
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 556
Likes: 4
From: North of Spokane WA
It sure sounds like one of the arms on that hinge are bent. I had one tweaked, don't remember if it was the trunk side or the decklid side, and was lucky to have a spare with the project I bought, so I just replaced it.
Repairing a bent one is certainly possible, but I was lucky with the spare. BTW, it's interesting replacing those hinge towers.....they fit in there pretty tight. I had to flex the fiberglass a fair amount to slide the old one out and the good one into place. They have little fiberglass shims on top of the hinge towers that the rivets pass through.
Repairing a bent one is certainly possible, but I was lucky with the spare. BTW, it's interesting replacing those hinge towers.....they fit in there pretty tight. I had to flex the fiberglass a fair amount to slide the old one out and the good one into place. They have little fiberglass shims on top of the hinge towers that the rivets pass through.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,340
Likes: 664
From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
One of the supports that holds the top end of the spring/hinge broke away from the vertical on the pass. side. When it broke, the springs forced the rear deck higher (area right above the hinge).
I re-attached it, and all was fine (except for the area of the deck that was damaged from the upward force).
If I remember correctly it was some poor spot welds that broke.
Plasticman
I re-attached it, and all was fine (except for the area of the deck that was damaged from the upward force).
If I remember correctly it was some poor spot welds that broke.
Plasticman
Last edited by Plasticman; Jan 7, 2008 at 11:29 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 416
Likes: 1
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
It sure seems like something heavy fell on it. I am in South Florida - I'll have to look up the big hurricanes down here in the late sixties. Although there is no apparent fiberglass damage to the decklid or fiberglass. I'll take a closer look at the welds. The only clue so far is a kinked piece of sheetmetal.
Might be kharma since I am expecting to slice the quarter panel off and replace it with one a wee bit wider.
And TopLess - if I was doing THAT with my camera and lost it - I would be crying for weeks. I left it or dropped it somewhere. Whoever found it has nothing except a bunch of Citrix geeks having some fun. Nothing terribly incriminating.
Although there is no apparent fiberglass damage to the decklid or fiberglass. I'll take a closer look at the welds. The only clue so far is a kinked piece of sheetmetal. Might be kharma since I am expecting to slice the quarter panel off and replace it with one a wee bit wider.
And TopLess - if I was doing THAT with my camera and lost it - I would be crying for weeks. I left it or dropped it somewhere. Whoever found it has nothing except a bunch of Citrix geeks having some fun. Nothing terribly incriminating.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 0
From: Detroit MI
j/k!!:o
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