82 Collector Ed - Rear window alignment problems
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Joined: Sep 2006
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82 Collector Ed - Rear window alignment problems
I am having a hell of a time with the rear window on my 82 collector edition.
Here is the problem. The rear window does release/lift up because the pegs on the low end of the window are stuck in the window lock/release mechanism. Sorry to butcher the terminology, but I don't know what this stuff is called.
I otherwords, the rear window has slid toward the rear of the car and the pegs are grabbing the release mechanism. The releasing mechanism has a left/right adjustment but not a front/back adjustment so there is no adjustment there.
I then went to the hinges which hold the glass to the car. By removing the interior near the hinges, you will find an adjustment which will allow you to slide the entire window forward which is the adjustment I need. The problem is that the adjustment is already used and there is not room to move the window toward the front of the car.
So the dillema is what has changed to make my window shift to the rear of the car by about 1 inch. I need at least 1/2 of adjustment to get the rear window correct, but there is no adjustment available.
There is some movement where the hinge meets the glass. There are rubber grommets that seem to be worn, but I can not find anyplace to purchase new grommets.
I am thinking that the hinges that hold the glass may have stretched over time. But I can not find replacement parts. How could that possible happen? Well the struts that lift the window when it is released are so strong and they are constantly pushing the rear window toward the rear of the car when the window is closed (which is 24 hours a day for 25 years).
If anyone has worked through this process and has any suggestions, please let me know. If it is easier to talk on the phone, please call me at 410-527-1097.
Thanks,
Mike
Here is the problem. The rear window does release/lift up because the pegs on the low end of the window are stuck in the window lock/release mechanism. Sorry to butcher the terminology, but I don't know what this stuff is called.
I otherwords, the rear window has slid toward the rear of the car and the pegs are grabbing the release mechanism. The releasing mechanism has a left/right adjustment but not a front/back adjustment so there is no adjustment there.
I then went to the hinges which hold the glass to the car. By removing the interior near the hinges, you will find an adjustment which will allow you to slide the entire window forward which is the adjustment I need. The problem is that the adjustment is already used and there is not room to move the window toward the front of the car.
So the dillema is what has changed to make my window shift to the rear of the car by about 1 inch. I need at least 1/2 of adjustment to get the rear window correct, but there is no adjustment available.
There is some movement where the hinge meets the glass. There are rubber grommets that seem to be worn, but I can not find anyplace to purchase new grommets.
I am thinking that the hinges that hold the glass may have stretched over time. But I can not find replacement parts. How could that possible happen? Well the struts that lift the window when it is released are so strong and they are constantly pushing the rear window toward the rear of the car when the window is closed (which is 24 hours a day for 25 years).
If anyone has worked through this process and has any suggestions, please let me know. If it is easier to talk on the phone, please call me at 410-527-1097.
Thanks,
Mike
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 594
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From: Peoria IL
You have discovered the problem that afflicts all CE's , I have a CE too.
The CE was the first and I think only vette to be produced with a glass hatch. The problem is that the hinges were made from crappy steel and the gas struts that open the hatch when the release is pulled exerts a lot of force on those hinges. The result is that the hinges stretch out of spec causing the problem that you have (someone has already adjusted once) another symptom is that the glass does not make contact with the weatherstrip at the top of the glass ( you can see daylight along the roof line) The solution is to take the hinges off and VERY CAREFULLY squeeze the hinges back into spec in a vice
(VERY SCARY!!!) , the problem will then re-occur over a period of time even if you dont use the hatch(unless your struts are shot).You cannot buy replacement hinges , you may find some on e-bay for extortionate prices but if they are original , they will have the same problem.
Check out the CE registry , a CE only site that has lots of info on this and other CE issues.
http://207.234.250.171/82ce/82ce.htm
There was a member there that made some hinges from aircraft grade aluminium that will never stretch , he made about 6 sets at about $300 a set - from what I hear they are works of art but I think they are all sold.
Mine has the gap at the top of the glass and I intend either adjusting or squeezing the hinges to sort out the gap and then will probably not use the hatch (my struts are shot anyway and so will not stretch the hinges again) Its easier to put stuff over the passenger seat than to reach over the gas tank or fenders through the hatch anyway.
So probably see you on the registry
The CE was the first and I think only vette to be produced with a glass hatch. The problem is that the hinges were made from crappy steel and the gas struts that open the hatch when the release is pulled exerts a lot of force on those hinges. The result is that the hinges stretch out of spec causing the problem that you have (someone has already adjusted once) another symptom is that the glass does not make contact with the weatherstrip at the top of the glass ( you can see daylight along the roof line) The solution is to take the hinges off and VERY CAREFULLY squeeze the hinges back into spec in a vice
(VERY SCARY!!!) , the problem will then re-occur over a period of time even if you dont use the hatch(unless your struts are shot).You cannot buy replacement hinges , you may find some on e-bay for extortionate prices but if they are original , they will have the same problem.Check out the CE registry , a CE only site that has lots of info on this and other CE issues.
http://207.234.250.171/82ce/82ce.htm
There was a member there that made some hinges from aircraft grade aluminium that will never stretch , he made about 6 sets at about $300 a set - from what I hear they are works of art but I think they are all sold.
Mine has the gap at the top of the glass and I intend either adjusting or squeezing the hinges to sort out the gap and then will probably not use the hatch (my struts are shot anyway and so will not stretch the hinges again) Its easier to put stuff over the passenger seat than to reach over the gas tank or fenders through the hatch anyway.
So probably see you on the registry
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Joined: Sep 2006
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Britvette,
Thank you for helping me realize that I am not crazy. The expanding hinge had to be the answer. The only other option was that the glass or the car was stretching. And I knew that was not the answer.
Well I fixed the problem and it was a little scary.
I actually got in there with a grinder and cut out a little metal so that the hinge adjustment would slide further toward the front of the car. I only needed 3/8 of an inch and got it. I put on the new struts and all works well. The gap between the window and the weatherstripping is tight. We will see how long it lasts.
As far as replacement hinges for $300, I would go a different route. I do not think the hinge is as much of a problem as it is the cheap metal backet that hinge is bolted to. I would think that for about $50-100, I could get replacement brackets made out of a stronger material and have the holes drilled slightly off from the original to make up for any hinge expansion.
Just a thought. Thank you again for clarifying the situation.
Obie
Thank you for helping me realize that I am not crazy. The expanding hinge had to be the answer. The only other option was that the glass or the car was stretching. And I knew that was not the answer.
Well I fixed the problem and it was a little scary.
I actually got in there with a grinder and cut out a little metal so that the hinge adjustment would slide further toward the front of the car. I only needed 3/8 of an inch and got it. I put on the new struts and all works well. The gap between the window and the weatherstripping is tight. We will see how long it lasts.
As far as replacement hinges for $300, I would go a different route. I do not think the hinge is as much of a problem as it is the cheap metal backet that hinge is bolted to. I would think that for about $50-100, I could get replacement brackets made out of a stronger material and have the holes drilled slightly off from the original to make up for any hinge expansion.
Just a thought. Thank you again for clarifying the situation.
Obie
