Vert Trunk Lid
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Temecula CA
Vert Trunk Lid
Here's a question I have. I just my 99 last week, and since I got it I've had trouble opening up the trunk. The release works fine, however I can't get my fingers under it. I took it to the dealer and they said this was normal. After reading on the forum for a while, I found a thread where someone suggested a tennis ball. Does anyone know where to place the ball so that the lid doesn't look uneven after its closed?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,326
Likes: 0
From: Taylor TX
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Re: Vert Trunk Lid (pmargiott)
you can use the tennis ball (or other rubber ball), but I would try to actually fix the problem myself.
The latch assembly (under the carpeted center panel) may need lubrication and some slight adjustment. You can loosen the latch and slide it up JUST A LITTLE to adjust the lid opening. Too much though, and the lid will stick up unevenly with the rear fascia.
Also check the two rubber bumpers on each side of the lid. They screw in/out to adjust the amount of compression the lid has when latched. That may be your only problem. CAUTION: don't extend them too much and bow the lid, because prolonged exposure in the sun will deform the lid permanently.
The struts on either side of the lid don't have anything to do with the lid opening, so you shouldn't need to mess with them.
The latch assembly (under the carpeted center panel) may need lubrication and some slight adjustment. You can loosen the latch and slide it up JUST A LITTLE to adjust the lid opening. Too much though, and the lid will stick up unevenly with the rear fascia.
Also check the two rubber bumpers on each side of the lid. They screw in/out to adjust the amount of compression the lid has when latched. That may be your only problem. CAUTION: don't extend them too much and bow the lid, because prolonged exposure in the sun will deform the lid permanently.
The struts on either side of the lid don't have anything to do with the lid opening, so you shouldn't need to mess with them.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Temecula CA
Re: Vert Trunk Lid (lotzahp)
Thanks alot. It worked. I adjusted the latch, lubed it, and adjusted the rubber bumpers so they came out a little further, and now everything works perfectly. I just learned a lesson when dealing with dealer service. They said it was perfectly fine the way it was, even though he couldn't actually open the trunk himself. Oh well, sometimes its best to just do it yourself. :jester
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,266
Likes: 156
From: Galloway Twp. NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Vert Trunk Lid (C-5 TECH)
You can also increase the latch release spring tension by simply bending the spring up slightly with pliers,if all else fails :yesnod:
I'm going to try that! :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,450
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City Missouri
Re: Vert Trunk Lid (pmargiott)
Its usually just easier to do it yourself unless it is a major warrantly issue, and if its not warrantly work, what the heck are you taking it to a dealer for when there are places like vette drs, extreme, etc. NEVER take a nice car to a dealer for non warranty work! (At least in my experience). I once took a car in to the dealer, and when I got it back I thought it was running rough, I finally found the problem! Those morons had put the plug wires on in the wrong order, I was surprised that it even ran! :boxing
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,312
Likes: 140
From: Murfreesboro, TN
CI 2-4-5-6-7-8-10-11-12 Vet
NCM Ambassador
St. Jude Donor '08-'11-'13-'14-'15
Re: Vert Trunk Lid (pmargiott)
Thanks alot. It worked. I adjusted the latch, lubed it, and adjusted the rubber bumpers so they came out a little further, and now everything works perfectly.
There was actually a thread way back when where the guy had detailed instructions on how to reset the latch mechanism, which I believe is the best way to handle the problem, but I couldn't find it once I had the same problem.
:cheers:
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Temecula CA
Re: Vert Trunk Lid (TOBASCO)
I was pretty careful about not setting the bumpers too high. Actually after about 20 minutes of adjusting, I think the trunk sits more even now than it did before. It could just be me after staring at it for so long. :crazy:
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,174
Likes: 2
From: Parker Colorado
Re: Vert Trunk Lid (C-5 TECH)
You can also increase the latch release spring tension by simply bending the spring up slightly with pliers,if all else fails :yesnod:
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 10,976
Likes: 21
From: FL
St. Jude Donor '13
Re: Vert Trunk Lid (RUGBY)
You can also increase the latch release spring tension by simply bending the spring up slightly with pliers,if all else fails :yesnod:
Thank you! This works like a charm...took about 2.5 seconds :flag
Thank you! This works like a charm...took about 2.5 seconds :flag
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Norristown PA
Re: Vert Trunk Lid (pmargiott)
Yeah. Sometimes mine doesn't open either. However what I have been doing is simply opening the door and closing it. This creates enough interior air pressure to pop the lid open. Of course mine is a hard top. This method wouldn't be very useful on a convertible with the top down, but works fine on the hard top. :)
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 29,737
Likes: 0
Kid Rock Fan
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Vert Trunk Lid (GRAYVETTE)
Yeah. Sometimes mine doesn't open either. However what I have been doing is simply opening the door and closing it. This creates enough interior air pressure to pop the lid open. Of course mine is a hard top. This method wouldn't be very useful on a convertible with the top down, but works fine on the hard top. :)
Some good info here. I have the exact same problem with my trunk. I'm going to try some of these suggestions ASAP! :cool: :cool: :cool:
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 310
Likes: 8
From: Coto de Caza CA
Re: Vert Trunk Lid (pmargiott)
Congrats on your new ride. Since we are virtually neighbors, I thought I'd let you know that there is a Corvettefroum gathering at the Hooters in New Port in a couple of weeks. Register for it the Pacific section if you're interested.
John
John