Trunk Lid
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Advanced
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 85
Likes: 2
From: Knoxville Tennessee (TN)
Trunk Lid
Hey C5 Owners,
I have a 2003 and the release latch on the trunk doesn't release the lid like it use to. When I hit the "button," the lid barely opens and I have to get my fingers under the lid to lift it.
Does anyone know how this can be fixed?
Thanks, RoyC7
I have a 2003 and the release latch on the trunk doesn't release the lid like it use to. When I hit the "button," the lid barely opens and I have to get my fingers under the lid to lift it.
Does anyone know how this can be fixed?
Thanks, RoyC7
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,264
Likes: 455
From: Stella, North Carolina
Shocks on the lid have gotten weak. Some find a nice wipe with oil will suffice for awhile but it appears the spring mod is a certain fix.
http://www.corvettemods.com/C5-C6-Co...st_p_4978.html
http://www.corvettemods.com/C5-C6-Co...st_p_4978.html
Pro
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 565
Likes: 143
From: Bedford VA
I had that problem on my '01 vert. It had a popper spring on it and still wouldn't open enough when you hit the button. Bought new struts that helped for a while but eventually went back to the way it was. The solution I found that worked was to lubricate the spring at the latch with some PB Blaster. You have to move the carpet back a little to get best access. This worked for the remaining two years I owned the car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Shocks on the lid have gotten weak. Some find a nice wipe with oil will suffice for awhile but it appears the spring mod is a certain fix.
http://www.corvettemods.com/C5-C6-Co...st_p_4978.html
http://www.corvettemods.com/C5-C6-Co...st_p_4978.html
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Adding the popper springs seems to work for many owners with this problem. 
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,439
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From: Buffalo Texas
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 75
From: Medford, Oregon
.... I am currently going through this issue with my FRC trunk hatch. It really became more annoying after installing the trunk divider, which had noticeably improved reducing the road noise, but it now takes away the option of just closing the door to raise the hatch. So I cleaned all the hinges and lubricated all the pivot points and did the same with the latch mechanism and it greatly improved the hatch opening travel, but that's when I found that the struts were bad/weak and the trunk lid wouldn't stay open. I'm waiting for the new ones to arrive this week to see if this is the final solution. I will post the results of the amount of hatch opening travel after the new struts are installed. 
BTW... I'm trying to avoid installing the pop-up spring method !!!...
Last edited by 2FAS4UU; Jan 10, 2016 at 03:24 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,279
Likes: 226
From: Round Rock Texas
Had same issue. Tried spring, greasing everything but too realized that the struts are bad after getting hit in the head with the lid after a mid wind breeze purchase replacement struts
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 75
From: Medford, Oregon
.... I am currently going through this issue with my FRC trunk hatch. It really became more annoying after installing the trunk divider, which had noticeably improved reducing the road noise, but it now takes away the option of just closing the door to raise the hatch. So I cleaned all the hinges and lubricated all the pivot points and did the same with the latch mechanism and it greatly improved the hatch opening travel, but that's when I found that the struts were bad/weak and the trunk lid wouldn't stay open. I'm waiting for the new ones to arrive this week to see if this is the final solution. I will post the results of the amount of hatch opening travel after the new struts are installed. BTW... I'm trying to avoid installing the pop-up spring method !!!...
.... Update; Installed the new trunk struts and, BAM !!, problem solved. I spent fourteen dollars for the pair of struts and with a simple cleaning and lubrication of hinges, I now am not having to install that Hokie pop-up spring set up. Trunk lid now pops open about 1 1/4''to 1 1/2'', with simple maintenance and coupled with fresh parts. I wish I had done this a long time ago, works better now then it did 13 years ago when I bought it
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
.... Update; Installed the new trunk struts and, BAM !!, problem solved. I spent fourteen dollars for the pair of struts and with a simple cleaning and lubrication of hinges, I now am not having to install that Hokie pop-up spring set up. Trunk lid now pops open about 1 1/4''to 1 1/2'', with simple maintenance and coupled with fresh parts. I wish I had done this a long time ago, works better now then it did 13 years ago when I bought it 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 75
From: Medford, Oregon
....Even if it lasts a few years I'll be happy. It's amazing how much crap gets into the pivot joints in the hinges. A shot of carb cleaner to each pivot joint on the hinges and then a little silicone spray does wonders. I never understood why some would buy that pop-up spring for $14-18 and not just replace the struts. The factory spring in the latch mechanism is pretty stout and can't see that thing getting weak !! If it craps out in a week I'll be pissed, LOL !! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
....Even if it lasts a few years I'll be happy. It's amazing how much crap gets into the pivot joints in the hinges. A shot of carb cleaner to each pivot joint on the hinges and then a little silicone spray does wonders. I never understood why some would buy that pop-up spring for $14-18 and not just replace the struts. The factory spring in the latch mechanism is pretty stout and can't see that thing getting weak !! If it craps out in a week I'll be pissed, LOL !!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 75
From: Medford, Oregon
.... Time will tell !! 
Racer
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 296
Likes: 6
From: Valencia CA
I've been fortunate in that my trunk lid pops open nicely all the time. My concern is not opening but closing the lid. If I push the lid down it doesn't close completely down and I need to push it closed with my hand. Being that the lid is fiberglass, I'm concerned about damaging it. I'm not familiar with this but is it normal that the lid requires force to close it flush? I'm talking slamming it down to get it to close completely.