Me again....I told you guys I'd be asking a bunch of Q's once I joined the C5 ranks...!

Anyway, when I pop the rear trunk on my '03 vert, it doesn't 'Pop' up. I have to really try and dig my fingers in there to lift it up. Everything else works great...the realease, the pistons, it closes well....it just doesn't 'Pop'. Is there an adjustment somewhere?

Thanks again,
Dom

 

The latch gets sticky over time. You can lubricate it and adjust it but I found that it would become stiff again over time.

There are 2 rubber adjusters on the trunk lid. They screw in and out to give an element of "pop up" but even they have problems. You can close the doors with the trunk unlatched and that will make the trunk lid jump up.

Many of us have gone for a trunk popper which, although not pretty is very effective.

I made a DIY version:

Trunk Popper for a Vert or Z06

This is an easy mod but for those of you who prefer to buy the ready made item it sells for a very reasonable price of $15.95 from one of the Forum vendors. Unfortunately the vendor doesn’t ship overseas so I needed a DIY version:



If you want to try yourself, pick up a 7/8” compression spring from Home Depot. They retail at $3.98 for a pack of 4 springs, 2 large and 2 small. You’ll also need an end cap of the same diameter. I used a 7/8” rubber stopper ($1.76). The advantage is that it acts as a soft buffer and can be trimmed to fit.




Cut the large spring to a length of 2”. The springs are quite strong so it takes a bit of elbow grease to cut it. Tighten the radius at the cut end of the spring to give a hole to fasten the screw through.

Undo the T30 torx screw on the right hand side of the closure plate. Insert the torx screw down the barrel of the spring and retighten it in place.

Slot the bung in place. You can trim the bung to get whatever fit you prefer. With it as shown it takes a good push to close the trunk. Trimming the bung will make it easier to close..




It took 10 minutes and all the lubrication and fiddling with the lock are a thing of the past.

 

Thanks....that's great....!!! I probably have a few springs laying around the garage....I'll give it a try..

 

No trouble

 

Just oil the strut rods, mine work perfect after a little "lube".

 

What type of oil....litium, 3in1, 10W30???

 

I used straight WD40 before I fitted the trunk popper. It worked for a while.

 

I just used a little 5W30 a year or so ago-still works fine.

 

Just straightened the spring. Over time the decklid latch spring gets worn and bends in a way that won't allow it to pop like it should. Just bend that overhang peice of the spring that pops the bracket up. bend it back up straight and you'll be set.

 

Is this spring located on the latch behind the carpeted housing around the latch? Wouldn't happen to have a pic now, would'ya?

 

Open and close the door, the air pops it up just enough to fit your hand in there, that's what I do.

 

Yeah....that's what I did a few times today when I was out and about. It's just a little inconvenient when your coming out from a store with something to put in the trunk, and you have to pop the trunk, then open and close the door, and then put your stuff in the trunk and then go back to get in the car. I know, I know...I'm being pickey, but I just bought the car and I'd like it to work the right way....thanks for all the hints and tips....

 

Same here.

 

Nice write up thanks

 

GM included a trunk popper which is an internal spring contained within the latch.
The service manual specifies Lubricating all body door hinges and latches including the rear lift hatch[trunk] at least once a year.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g....php?t=2083484


For adding pop up gadgets to take the place of vehicle maintenance including lubricating moving parts, there's MASTERCARD

Maintaining your vehicle to operate the way the manufacturer designed it:PRICELESS

 

It AMAZES me what contraptions people will come up with when the simple answer is usually the best. Couple of drops of oil is ALL that's needed. SIMPLE, do it with my yearly oil change now.

 

I just found it got boring after the 10th time lubricating. maybe I'm just lazy