Rear hatch allignment
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3
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From: oldsmar fl
Rear hatch allignment
Guys, need some advice on a rear hatch problem on my 03 c5 coupe (I searched coudnt find anything). I purchased it this fall and its still under (used car) warranty from a dealership. Its been in there for a month for 
this problem. It started when I noticed the the forward edge glass barely scrubbing the rear edge roof and scraping some paint where the glass curves down on both sides. I took it in and they adjusted it but then the rear edge of the hatch banged the after deck when closing. I took it back and they said the rear glass had to be repositioned on the hatch itself and in doing this they scratched the glass and had to order from detroit. Well the glass finally comes in yesterday but they say the rear defogger connection is broken off so they have ordered more glass.
Has anyone had a rear hatch allignment problem like this? Did/could it actually require the glass to be removed to correct, or is this
? This car has a clear title and no accident history and no evidence of prior damage.
Thx, Mike in Tampa
this problem. It started when I noticed the the forward edge glass barely scrubbing the rear edge roof and scraping some paint where the glass curves down on both sides. I took it in and they adjusted it but then the rear edge of the hatch banged the after deck when closing. I took it back and they said the rear glass had to be repositioned on the hatch itself and in doing this they scratched the glass and had to order from detroit. Well the glass finally comes in yesterday but they say the rear defogger connection is broken off so they have ordered more glass. Has anyone had a rear hatch allignment problem like this? Did/could it actually require the glass to be removed to correct, or is this
? This car has a clear title and no accident history and no evidence of prior damage.Thx, Mike in Tampa
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Millbury Ohio
Hey Mike,
I had the same problem on my 97. I also adjusted the rear hatch panel toward the rear. I that did not fix my problem. The exposed glass would hit the rear of the fiberglass roof hoop (sailplane). I had to take it to several Chevy dealers and my own body shop to find the fix. The rear glass had come loose from the rear hatch fiberglass section. I took it to a glass repair company. They removed the rear glass. When they did ,they found another problem. The fiberglass rear hatch had also come loose from the metal backer plates that the rear hatch struts connect to. The metal backer plates are not visable when the glass is installed. They had to be bonded back together to the fibergass with a two part epoxy bonding agent. Then the rear glass was put back on the fiberglass rear hatch. It was a slow process. Each of the glues had to cure for 24 hours. ALSO, DO NOT LIFT THE FIBERGLASS HATCH WITHOUT THE GLASS INSTALLED AND THE LIFT STRUTS STILL ATTACHED. This will save you a lot of extra bonding, or even replacing the rear fiberglass hatch. The fiberglass piece has little or no strength without the glass attached. With those tow repairs my 97 was back to it normal working self. The added benefit is that the excessive water that would drain form the hatch when it was first lifted after a rain was cured too!! I hope this gives you some info on the problem.
I had the same problem on my 97. I also adjusted the rear hatch panel toward the rear. I that did not fix my problem. The exposed glass would hit the rear of the fiberglass roof hoop (sailplane). I had to take it to several Chevy dealers and my own body shop to find the fix. The rear glass had come loose from the rear hatch fiberglass section. I took it to a glass repair company. They removed the rear glass. When they did ,they found another problem. The fiberglass rear hatch had also come loose from the metal backer plates that the rear hatch struts connect to. The metal backer plates are not visable when the glass is installed. They had to be bonded back together to the fibergass with a two part epoxy bonding agent. Then the rear glass was put back on the fiberglass rear hatch. It was a slow process. Each of the glues had to cure for 24 hours. ALSO, DO NOT LIFT THE FIBERGLASS HATCH WITHOUT THE GLASS INSTALLED AND THE LIFT STRUTS STILL ATTACHED. This will save you a lot of extra bonding, or even replacing the rear fiberglass hatch. The fiberglass piece has little or no strength without the glass attached. With those tow repairs my 97 was back to it normal working self. The added benefit is that the excessive water that would drain form the hatch when it was first lifted after a rain was cured too!! I hope this gives you some info on the problem.
