Rear hatch pull down issue.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,360
Likes: 59
From: San Jose California
Rear hatch pull down issue.
This started just a few weeks ago, just to give you a run down on how often it is used. My car has 16K on the clock so I haven't used the hatch all that much.
Here's my issue, the spring loaded lever has worn so that the hatch loop will not glide over anymore. This is what the hatch rests on before you push it down to activate the pull down function.
Right now I pretty much have to shut it hard just to get it to shut. I had to lube it quite a bit just to get it to even do that.
I am going to remove my lever and have my machine shop make me a delrin piece to help prevent this in the future.
I am just wondering if I am just a fluke case, or have any of you run into this?
Thanks,
DJ
Here's my issue, the spring loaded lever has worn so that the hatch loop will not glide over anymore. This is what the hatch rests on before you push it down to activate the pull down function.
Right now I pretty much have to shut it hard just to get it to shut. I had to lube it quite a bit just to get it to even do that.
I am going to remove my lever and have my machine shop make me a delrin piece to help prevent this in the future.
I am just wondering if I am just a fluke case, or have any of you run into this?
Thanks,
DJ
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 176
From: Kernersville NC
Not sure exactly what your problem is but I haven't had a problem with mine in seven years. I lay the hatch down gently until it stops then push to activate the pull down motor. I'd say you have an isolated issue there. Don't really recall seeing much about the hatch on here except guy that want to drop the hatch to shut it. I don't like to do it that way.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,360
Likes: 59
From: San Jose California
Not sure exactly what your problem is but I haven't had a problem with mine in seven years. I lay the hatch down gently until it stops then push to activate the pull down motor. I'd say you have an isolated issue there. Don't really recall seeing much about the hatch on here except guy that want to drop the hatch to shut it. I don't like to do it that way.
I haven't seen any posts about this, so I am thinking I just got unlucky. It will be a somewhat easy fix, just surprised how easy mine failed.
DJ
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Not sure exactly what your problem is but I haven't had a problem with mine in seven years. I lay the hatch down gently until it stops then push to activate the pull down motor. I'd say you have an isolated issue there. Don't really recall seeing much about the hatch on here except guy that want to drop the hatch to shut it. I don't like to do it that way.
I've never had issues with my 2005. I lower the hatch (until it's resting on the latch) and then I push-down firmly to engage the pull-down mechanism. I don't ever try to slam it shut.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 106
I've only read that the spring gets weak, and your fingers can't get under the hatch anymore. But some vendors sell an assist spring for that. I haven't scrutinized the latch mechanism to know what you're talking about. A pic would have been nice. Anyway, did you buy your car used? Maybe previous owner used to slam the hatch closed (I've seen many Corvette owners do that), not knowing it pulls itself closed. As a comment, if you push down steadily on the hatch the pull-down motor doesn't engage, at least on my car. I have to give it a quick push and it then engages. Will scrutinize it one of these days. Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
I just assist gravity a little when I close my hatch, not slammed, closed firmly. Sometimes the closing feature activates, many times gravity prevents this from happening as the latch locks prior too. No problems in six years.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,360
Likes: 59
From: San Jose California
I will have to take a picture to show you. Until just a few weeks ago it worked fine. Slowly lower the hatch until it rests on the spring lever, and then just push on the glass just a little and the motor would take care of the rest.
The whole purpose of this is to not slam the hatch and possibly blow out the rear window. Even though I have to shut it hard just to get it to work, the motor still slows it down, but I still need to fix it this week.
If I get done my yard work in time today I will snap a pic or two.
DJ
The whole purpose of this is to not slam the hatch and possibly blow out the rear window. Even though I have to shut it hard just to get it to work, the motor still slows it down, but I still need to fix it this week.
If I get done my yard work in time today I will snap a pic or two.
DJ
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,790
Likes: 108
From: On the coast North of SF bay
The dealer was clueless and suggested this was normal.
They must have changed the mechanism along the way - let's here it for progress....
Pro
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 653
Likes: 17
From: Fort Worth Texas
The hatch on my 05 has been opened and closed thousands of times. I had a problem with the rear touch pad switch, I removed and cleaned to correct it. The pull down mechanism on the hatch is one of the few things that have performed flawlessly over the years.
