C6 Corvette General Discussion General C6 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Feral Industries

Automatic Rear Hatch Close Down

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 01:18 AM
  #1  
Don Rhoads's Avatar
Don Rhoads
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Whitewright TX
Default Automatic Rear Hatch Close Down

According to the 2007 Corvette Owner Instructional DVD the C6 has a automatic rear hatch closedown & Lock Option for final 1/2 inch of downward stow position .
The DVD also said this option was deleted for Z06 for weight .

Can this option be reinstalled on a Z06 Because I really hate having to put so much force on my hatch paint & glass and also having to crack open a driver door to help relieve the vehicle from being so air tight .
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 01:21 AM
  #2  
ufso's Avatar
ufso
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 181
From: Menifee (I.E.) CA
Default

Originally Posted by Don Rhoads
According to the 2007 Corvette Owner Instructional DVD the C6 has a automatic rear hatch closedown & Lock Option for final 1/2 inch of downward stow position .
The DVD also said this option was deleted for Z06 for weight .

Can this option be reinstalled on a Z06 Because I really hate having to put so much force on my hatch paint & glass and also having to crack open a driver door to help relieve the vehicle from being so air tight .
You should post this in the Z06 section!
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 06:47 AM
  #3  
talon90's Avatar
talon90
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,617
Likes: 167
Tech Contributor
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
NCM Ambassador
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Default

Originally Posted by Don Rhoads
According to the 2007 Corvette Owner Instructional DVD the C6 has a automatic rear hatch closedown & Lock Option for final 1/2 inch of downward stow position .
The DVD also said this option was deleted for Z06 for weight .

Can this option be reinstalled on a Z06 Because I really hate having to put so much force on my hatch paint & glass and also having to crack open a driver door to help relieve the vehicle from being so air tight .

Yes, the option can be added back in to a Z06. In fact, for 2009 the Z06 gets the option from the factory. I'm not sure on what the cost is for the new latch mechanism but you can do it.
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 07:17 AM
  #4  
LOUSVETTE's Avatar
LOUSVETTE
NCM Member
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,833
Likes: 2
From: Dumont NJ
Default

It really does not work that great.
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 07:19 AM
  #5  
herbie1057's Avatar
herbie1057
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Miami Fl
Default

I have no issues with mine. '05 For the Win!
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 07:28 AM
  #6  
EuroRod's Avatar
EuroRod
Race Director
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,396
Likes: 169
Default

My 2005 has worked with zero issues.
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 07:55 AM
  #7  
bksnoopy's Avatar
bksnoopy
Drifting
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by Don Rhoads
According to the 2007 Corvette Owner Instructional DVD the C6 has a automatic rear hatch closedown & Lock Option for final 1/2 inch of downward stow position .
The DVD also said this option was deleted for Z06 for weight .

Can this option be reinstalled on a Z06 Because I really hate having to put so much force on my hatch paint & glass and also having to crack open a driver door to help relieve the vehicle from being so air tight .



The auto hatch works great but at times it does fail with the doors closed and windows up. I still have to crack a window or door for it to work. I got used to keeping a door or wind open while closing the deck.

Ben, OH
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 07:56 AM
  #8  
Red Rochester's Avatar
Red Rochester
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Veteran: Coast Guard
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 8,515
Likes: 255
From: Rochester New York
Default

Wonder if the wiring is left there and the latch is all you have to install? I would think so.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 08:00 AM
  #9  
bksnoopy's Avatar
bksnoopy
Drifting
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by herbie1057
I have no issues with mine. '05 For the Win!
Originally Posted by EuroRod
My 2005 has worked with zero issues.
It could be the 08 has a tighter seal. It would be interesting to see how many with 08's have hatch closing problems. I need an open window or door for the hatch to work right.

Ben, OH
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 10:18 AM
  #10  
BEZ06's Avatar
BEZ06
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 854
From: Daytona Beach FL
Default

I did it on my Z06, and it's a great mod!!

I had an '05 coupe and when I got the Z06 the hatch pull down feature was one of the things I missed the most - the other was the lumbar support and power seat for my wife (I did that mod too, but that's another thread!).

Mine is a daily driver and when I take my wife out shopping she's always giving me something to take out to the car and then meet her in the next store. I had to open the hatch, throw her stuff in, then either slam the hatch down, lean on it, or open a door and then close it again when I went off to find my wife. Now I open the hatch, throw the stuff in, and close the hatch and let the pull down do its thing.

It cost me about $300. In my view the only way to do it is to buy the latch from a car being salvaged and to make sure you get a pigtail of wires that you can splice into.

Here's a link to the thread where I've got a bunch of pictures and info on the install (you have to drill down to about post# 30 before you get to the install stuff):

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-z...ear-hatch.html


If anybody does this and has any questions not answered in the thread just give me a shout!

Bob
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 11:56 AM
  #11  
Ghost 23's Avatar
Ghost 23
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 847
Likes: 437
From: Saint George, UT
Default

Originally Posted by bksnoopy
It could be the 08 has a tighter seal. It would be interesting to see how many with 08's have hatch closing problems. I need an open window or door for the hatch to work right.

Ben, OH
2008 Coupe - No issues with hatch closing.
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 11:59 AM
  #12  
KenHorse's Avatar
KenHorse
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
Likes: 2,432
From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Default

Originally Posted by bksnoopy


The auto hatch works great but at times it does fail with the doors closed and windows up. I still have to crack a window or door for it to work. I got used to keeping a door or wind open while closing the deck.

Ben, OH
Never had that problem on my '07. Works regardless of window or door state on mine
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 01:11 PM
  #13  
07MontRedcp's Avatar
07MontRedcp
Safety Car
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,347
Likes: 25
From: Apache Junction AZ
Default

Originally Posted by ltorsello
It really does not work that great.
Works perfectly for me. It just depends on how hard you pull down.

BJK
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 01:45 PM
  #14  
BEZ06's Avatar
BEZ06
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 854
From: Daytona Beach FL
Default

Originally Posted by bksnoopy


The auto hatch works great but at times it does fail with the doors closed and windows up. I still have to crack a window or door for it to work. I got used to keeping a door or wind open while closing the deck.

Ben, OH
If your auto pull down feature isn't working then something needs an adjustment. Even with the doors closed and windows up you should just have to drop it down from about 10 inches and the latch should grab and pull the hatch down.

You can take out or add shims (what GM calls "striker spacers"):



If you can't get the hatch adjusted with the shims, you can adjust either the latch (where it bolts to the "latch mounting bracket"), or the latch mounting bracket where it bolts to the rear of the hatch compartment.

Bob
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 01:55 PM
  #15  
07MontRedcp's Avatar
07MontRedcp
Safety Car
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,347
Likes: 25
From: Apache Junction AZ
Default

Originally Posted by BEZ06
If your auto pull down feature isn't working then something needs an adjustment. Even with the doors closed and windows up you should just have to drop it down from about 10 inches and the latch should grab and pull the hatch down.

You can take out or add shims (what GM calls "striker spacers"):



If you can't get the hatch adjusted with the shims, you can adjust either the latch (where it bolts to the "latch mounting bracket"), or the latch mounting bracket where it bolts to the rear of the hatch compartment.

Bob
Now that's some good info. Thanks

BJK
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 02:25 PM
  #16  
lexaudio's Avatar
lexaudio
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 0
From: Studio City CA
Default

No problems here on my 06.

Works every time. I open and close the rear 4-8 times a day.

LEX
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 02:40 PM
  #17  
bksnoopy's Avatar
bksnoopy
Drifting
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by BEZ06
If your auto pull down feature isn't working then something needs an adjustment. Even with the doors closed and windows up you should just have to drop it down from about 10 inches and the latch should grab and pull the hatch down.

You can take out or add shims (what GM calls "striker spacers"):



If you can't get the hatch adjusted with the shims, you can adjust either the latch (where it bolts to the "latch mounting bracket"), or the latch mounting bracket where it bolts to the rear of the hatch compartment.

Bob
Thanks for the great information. It has not been a problem cracking a door but I will look at your instructions. I don't like to slam any of my doors, hood, or hatch. I worked with show cars in the past and you may be surprised how many door paint pops show up when people slam their doors.

I always said, when we get serious on this forum, there's loads of good information and help.

Ben, OH
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Automatic Rear Hatch Close Down

Old Mar 10, 2009 | 04:11 PM
  #18  
68/70Vette's Avatar
68/70Vette
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Default

Originally Posted by BEZ06
............. Even with the doors closed and windows up you should just have to drop it down from about 10 inches and the latch should grab and pull the hatch down.
I didn't think it was a good idea to drop the hatch. I gently pull mine down till it's about 1/2 inch from closing...at this distance the auto pull down still doesn't engage. Then I push down and let the motor close the hatch. My fear is that dropping (or slamming) the hatch will ultimatly damage the motor pull down mechanism. I learned to do this with my Cadillac Seville. I used to slam it's trunk lid, but after replacing two motor pull down mechanisms (they have a retail price of $400), I've learned to gently close the door on the Seville. I did a search on a Seville forum and found a lot of posts claiming that slamming or dropping the trunk lid would ultimately damage the motor. I decided to exercise the same caution with the Corvette.
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 05:43 PM
  #19  
GQMGT's Avatar
GQMGT
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 775
Likes: 119
From: Plattsburgh NY
Default

I didn't have a problem with the hatch on my 07 until later last year. If I pushed down on the hatch to close, the alarm would go off! If I opened a window or left a door open, no problem.
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 08:19 PM
  #20  
hot4u's Avatar
hot4u
Pro
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: Cheltenham MD.
Default

Works fine on my 08
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:34 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE