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Old May 27, 2016 | 03:00 PM
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Default Two questions

I have a 03 z06 with 13k miles and am wondering how to adjust two things:
1- Back trunk pops open just a little bit when you hit the button but when you close the drivers side door its goes up enough to get finger under to open.. How do I adjust this?
2- Back breaks feel fine but squeak ocassionally when breaking. Can I lube or is there adjusment for this?

Thanks for help in advance!
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Old May 27, 2016 | 03:12 PM
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the spring in the deck lid on these cars becomes weak, there are some sites that have a add on spring and could be considered tacky, best to replace the spring ????

The brakes can squeak if the rotors get glazed (from hard braking or the pads don't have the anti squeak backers on the pads ???) On some trucks I have taken a random orbital sander and sanded the pads and rotors !!
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Old May 27, 2016 | 03:15 PM
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The trunk lid thing is just a nuisance... the brake fix... DRIVE IT!
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Old May 27, 2016 | 03:46 PM
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https://www.corvettesolution.com/col...nt=11255737158

If you are worried that others might think it's tacky, it's not for you, but if you want something that works great, simple to install and never have to mess with again, get it.

Last edited by JR-01; May 27, 2016 at 04:20 PM.
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Old May 27, 2016 | 03:57 PM
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I have a '03 vert and IMHO is the best year for the C5, lol Well with your trunk release issue some WD40 on the release mechanism will free it up, do it annually. While on it do the console (armrest) hinges that require lube also. Brakes squeeking the simple fix is drive the car...the pads are gumming up with residue from rust etc. on the rotors. I have the same issue but after summers end they are long gone. You (and myself) do not get the car out enough. Have a great summer and lots of happy smiles with your '03. Rob
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Old May 27, 2016 | 05:19 PM
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The little add-on spring does do a good job of pushing the trunk lid up enough to get your fingers under to lift it up. Lubricating the release mechanism many work too.

And I agree about the brakes - drive the car, use the brakes and see if the squeal goes away.
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Old May 27, 2016 | 05:46 PM
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Originally Posted by thisMSGgood4me
Regarding the brake squeal, you might also want to check the thickness of your brake pads. Squealing can indicate that the pads have worn down to the point of needing to be replaced, with the wear indicator rubbing against the rotor when the brakes are applied and causing a squealing sound. Just something to check.
The car has 13k miles on it... I guess it could need pads but, I would wonder WHY?
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Old May 27, 2016 | 08:23 PM
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Originally Posted by JR-01
https://www.corvettesolution.com/col...nt=11255737158

If you are worried that others might think it's tacky, it's not for you, but if you want something that works great, simple to install and never have to mess with again, get it.
What he said, and you can buy new trunk lid struts on eBay or Amazon for cheap money. Those will help also. Well it's also what I did.
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Old May 28, 2016 | 12:32 AM
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Originally Posted by thisMSGgood4me
Don't know why on the OP's Vette, but on mine, the rear brakes started squealing and the pads had worn thin and needed changing out way before the front pads did.
That is weird. The usual ratio is two sets of front pads for every set of rears. If you were not the most recent person to change the brakes it is possible that the fronts had been changed but not the rears. And now that you own the car it was the rears turn.

Or.............is it possible your hand brake is hung up? Park the car on a very slight incline. Set the hand brake. It should hold the car. Then release the hand brake. The car should roll. If it does not then your hand brake is hung up.

Make sure the incline is very slight. A steeper incline could force the car to roll even with a slightly stuck hand brake.
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Old May 28, 2016 | 01:57 AM
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Originally Posted by JR-01
https://www.corvettesolution.com/col...nt=11255737158

If you are worried that others might think it's tacky, it's not for you, but if you want something that works great, simple to install and never have to mess with again, get it.
Why is it tacky?
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Old May 28, 2016 | 02:11 AM
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My brakes squeak now and then, My remedy is easy enough, Just get out on a stretch of road where you can get you car up to around 100 MPH or so and get on the brakes pretty hard, That should take care of it, Works for me most of the time. About the trunk spring, Everyone told me to just lube it correctly, that never worked for me, it still was very weak and didn't pop it open enough to get my finger under it so I finally bought the little chrome spring called "POP ASSIST" It attaches to a bolt that holds the strike bar to the trunk lid, you can get one from Ecklers, Corvettcentral or Mid America Motorworks, they are cheap too, only around $15 or so. Works perfect every time now. Here is the one on my car. I think it looks O.K. because it is chrome, so it kinda goes with the theme on my car.



This is what my car looks like now...


Last edited by CorvetteBob52; May 28, 2016 at 02:18 AM.
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Old May 28, 2016 | 02:34 AM
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Interesting how the hatch pop-up issue is so common, just wonder if it is lack of use?

I have popped the rear hatch on my 2001 coupe at least twice a day (going to the gym every night) for 16 years now and never touched the rear springs or rear struts (but I am getting ready to replace the struts as a matter of maintenance and because the last few inches of opening is getting a bit slow). Never had a problem with it popping up (yet).
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Old May 28, 2016 | 08:53 AM
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Originally Posted by o2bnkc
Why is it tacky?
It isn't. It's a great product and a simple fix. Some folks think it is tacky and always argue against it.
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Old May 28, 2016 | 08:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Choreo
Interesting how the hatch pop-up issue is so common, just wonder if it is lack of use?

I have popped the rear hatch on my 2001 coupe at least twice a day (going to the gym every night) for 16 years now and never touched the rear springs or rear struts (but I am getting ready to replace the struts as a matter of maintenance and because the last few inches of opening is getting a bit slow). Never had a problem with it popping up (yet).
Does your trunk lid open all the way when you hit the button?

Last edited by JR-01; May 28, 2016 at 08:55 AM.
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Old May 28, 2016 | 09:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Ducati Guy
That is weird. The usual ratio is two sets of front pads for every set of rears. If you were not the most recent person to change the brakes it is possible that the fronts had been changed but not the rears. And now that you own the car it was the rears turn.

Or.............is it possible your hand brake is hung up? Park the car on a very slight incline. Set the hand brake. It should hold the car. Then release the hand brake. The car should roll. If it does not then your hand brake is hung up.

Make sure the incline is very slight. A steeper incline could force the car to roll even with a slightly stuck hand brake.
the e-brake on my 99 has internal drum brake inside the rotor ????
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Old May 28, 2016 | 09:18 AM
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Originally Posted by akapounder
the e-brake on my 99 has internal drum brake inside the rotor ????
I just checked. it is indeed a small drum brake inside the rotor. Obviously my hand brake thought was incorrect. A hung up hand brake of this design would not cause wear on the brake pads. Live and learn the C5!

So back to my first thought about the fronts having been changed once before and you not being aware of it. Is that possible? Or have you been changing the pads for a few cycles?
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Old May 28, 2016 | 09:19 AM
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Originally Posted by akapounder
the e-brake on my 99 has internal drum brake inside the rotor ????
Yes.
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To Two questions

Old May 28, 2016 | 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by JR-01
It isn't. It's a great product and a simple fix. Some folks think it is tacky and always argue against it.
if it were mine I like simple fixes, especially when they don't even show !!!!
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Old May 28, 2016 | 09:50 AM
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Originally Posted by akapounder
if it were mine I like simple fixes, especially when they don't even show !!!!
I installed the spring 3 years ago and I never think about it until the topic comes up here. It works really well.
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Old May 28, 2016 | 07:06 PM
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They are so cute... wittle tiny braky wakys...
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