1982 rear hatch stuck
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
1982 rear hatch stuck
I pulled on the rear hatch release and hear it "click" but cant get the hatch window to open. anyone ever have this problem and what to do about it? i at least want to open it to see if i can grease the mechanism to see if that helps.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 14
From: Dallas-Fort Worth TX
Go inside the car to the back corners where it latches. You should be able to push or pull on the metal latches to remove the bind, while somebody on the outside slowly tries to raise the glass.
I have opened mine maybe twice in the last year or so. Mine leaks also.
I have opened mine maybe twice in the last year or so. Mine leaks also.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
The last one I had in , I had to remove the struts just to get the window open.
The struts are are so strong they push the glass back jamming the 2 pins and at the same time bending the window hinges.
**** poor design ,thumbs down !
The struts are are so strong they push the glass back jamming the 2 pins and at the same time bending the window hinges.
**** poor design ,thumbs down !
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Over time the hinges wear out on these cars. They are soft metal in a U shape and when the shape opens up the glass moves toward the rear of the car and upward at to top. (usually you can tell this from the marks in the trim molding).
Once it makes it so far the striker pins catch the lock and make opening it a task.
Yes, Roger you are right.. just a horrible design! Another issue associated with this problem is a poor fitting rear hatch weatherstrip. When the hinge opens up or is not adjusted properly it will cause Major issues with the fitment of the rear hatch weatherstrip.
Once it makes it so far the striker pins catch the lock and make opening it a task.
Yes, Roger you are right.. just a horrible design! Another issue associated with this problem is a poor fitting rear hatch weatherstrip. When the hinge opens up or is not adjusted properly it will cause Major issues with the fitment of the rear hatch weatherstrip.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Be very, very careful. That window will shatter into a million pieces and its very expensive.
The design itself is not the problem, it is the use of a ductile type of aluminum for the hinges. Once you have the window open, you can bend them back and then leave the thing shut.
The design itself is not the problem, it is the use of a ductile type of aluminum for the hinges. Once you have the window open, you can bend them back and then leave the thing shut.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Be very, very careful. That window will shatter into a million pieces and its very expensive.
The design itself is not the problem, it is the use of a ductile type of aluminum for the hinges. Once you have the window open, you can bend them back and then leave the thing shut.
The design itself is not the problem, it is the use of a ductile type of aluminum for the hinges. Once you have the window open, you can bend them back and then leave the thing shut.
edit- Oh and its not the hinges,its the lack of limiting the gas struts,there are no stops.
Last edited by ...Roger...; Jun 8, 2011 at 11:54 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I'm still looking at a way to install stops that are undetectable. The ones that I have fixed store the cars with the struts disconnected. So far I've gotten away with slotting the hinge mounts but that only works once.
There was a guy building stronger hinges but it's rumored those hinges are now stretching also.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The issue is what is going to happen over the coarse of the next few years... when they stretch more.
I used to have a NOS hinge but sold it years ago. I wish I had it back now, I have the ability to make them out of steel but I have no pattern.
Guess I'll keep my eye open.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 14
From: Dallas-Fort Worth TX
Highly unlikely that a new weatherstrip will seal if they are stretched. We did a install here about mid last year and showed the customer where the issue was at. The opted for us to put rubber under the weatherstrip to shim it outward vs. replacing the hinges. Tacky solution but it worked and was not detectable.
The issue is what is going to happen over the coarse of the next few years... when they stretch more.
I used to have a NOS hinge but sold it years ago. I wish I had it back now, I have the ability to make them out of steel but I have no pattern.
Guess I'll keep my eye open.
The issue is what is going to happen over the coarse of the next few years... when they stretch more.
I used to have a NOS hinge but sold it years ago. I wish I had it back now, I have the ability to make them out of steel but I have no pattern.
Guess I'll keep my eye open.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Our solution actually worked great. While not correct it was the option the customer picked. We started with some soft foam weatherstrip and used it as a shim under the new one. We did several dry test and basically shimmed it to fit on the top. The sides and the rear were not an issue. But the top was wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy off..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,127
Likes: 2,326
From: Pottsville, PA. USA Home Of America's Oldest Brewery Yuengling
I just got a 82 collector in my shop and the window has a space on the top leftside. I was thinking the only way to fix it is to shim the weatherstrip. GM shows no instructions for adjusting or anything in the 1982 service manual?
I take it from others the window can't be adjust down at the top to make a better seal to the weatherstrip?
I take it from others the window can't be adjust down at the top to make a better seal to the weatherstrip?
