Rear hatch hinge adjustment
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
Rear hatch hinge adjustment
My hatch lid sits approximately 1/2" higher than the Targa band and needs to be lowered. It's like a giant air scoop. I haven't been able to find anything anywhere on how to get access to adjust the hinges. Can anyone help me or point me in the right direction. PS. Its the same height on both sides.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 119
Likes: 40
From: Metro Detroit, MI
Check out this link and see if it may be of assistance to you.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...atch-bump.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...atch-bump.html
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
Thanks, I should have mentioned, it's not the bumpers, there is plenty of play there, I can almost press the front corners down enough to close it. It's the hinges, they are solid, no play at all when you press down. I can't imagine how they can become out of adjustment and be solid like that.
Maybe someone can send some pictures from a shop manual showing how to replace a rear hatch. That should show how to adjust the hinges, and how to get access to them.
Maybe someone can send some pictures from a shop manual showing how to replace a rear hatch. That should show how to adjust the hinges, and how to get access to them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 820
Likes: 332
From: Orlando Florida
What is the back story on your car, is this something that suddenly happened, or did you buy it like this? It looks like you have two "halo's", the factory one and then another one added on top of the hatch glass, however this does not explain why the body colored portion of the hatch is sitting so high.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
This is a very limited production Corvette. It's a Karvajal ZX1, a planned build of 200 but only 3 were built and the company folded.
The added halo is part of the hatch lid. It's a modified hatch lid, all one piece. Apparently the hinge is out of alignment and needs to be adjusted or replaced. I need to know how to get to the hinge to see what's going on. The hinges are solid and there is no visible way to adjust them. The lid does not hit the bumpers at the forward edge on the fender, and closes at the rear as normal.
The original owner said it was a ventilation feature. He was misled. I talked to the builder and he was concerned that at a high speed the lid could be blown off.
So I am simply looking for an illustration of how to get to the hinges and adjust them or replace them. They should be stock OEM hinges.
The added halo is part of the hatch lid. It's a modified hatch lid, all one piece. Apparently the hinge is out of alignment and needs to be adjusted or replaced. I need to know how to get to the hinge to see what's going on. The hinges are solid and there is no visible way to adjust them. The lid does not hit the bumpers at the forward edge on the fender, and closes at the rear as normal.
The original owner said it was a ventilation feature. He was misled. I talked to the builder and he was concerned that at a high speed the lid could be blown off.
So I am simply looking for an illustration of how to get to the hinges and adjust them or replace them. They should be stock OEM hinges.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,349
Likes: 2,443
From: Eastern
According to the service manual, there is no up/down adjustment to the hatch window assembly. That is accomplished with the rubber bumpers on the 4 corners. Is it possible that the hatch has the incorrect struts? If they are too long, this might be the end result of the panel lift when the hatch is closed. Just thinking out loud here.
You can unhook the struts and close the hatch to see if that gap dissapears. If you unhook the struts, make sure the hatch window assembly is supported or it will fall on your head.
You can unhook the struts and close the hatch to see if that gap dissapears. If you unhook the struts, make sure the hatch window assembly is supported or it will fall on your head.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
I had that thought but then they look like there's about 4 inches left. so I forgot about that. I can take the struts off just to be sure. I wish it were that simple. Guess it's possible. I'll do it first thing in the morning. Thanks for your interest and help.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
PS. Even if these are the correct struts, the PO could have installed the wrong ones, and bent the hinges, then replaced them with the correct ones after the damage was done. I'll let you know what I find in the morning.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
Sorry for the delay. The struts are not the problem. It looks like the hinges have been bent. I will try to order a set of hinges.
I can only see 4 push pins holding the interior of the halo on. Does anyone know how that is held on so I don't mess it up. Hopefully once that is removed I'll have access to the hinges.
I can only see 4 push pins holding the interior of the halo on. Does anyone know how that is held on so I don't mess it up. Hopefully once that is removed I'll have access to the hinges.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 36
Likes: 20
From: Under admins eyes
Might come too late but here goes. Roof trim is held by 4 push pins and metal pry tabs inside the trim. Remove the targa top and leave center closing hook lever down, If you work alone, you coud add wraps around halo to preven the inner roof dropping down, then remove 4 pins, then gently pry the roof trim downwards and you see where those holding tabs are located. Use prybar or similar tool to work then one by one. Beware that roof coud suddenly drop down and it coud snap where closing lever is located. There is also several "velcro tabs" inside but they are usually not holding any more. When you have removed old hinges, clean up and add some sealant to halo part before tightening new hinges. You can adjust hinges from hatch side leaving nuts bit loose and get gaps even on fenders when closin hatch. After that tighten up. There is no play on halo side, only on hatch side. Some cases yoy might need to enlarge bolt holes to get more movement on adjust but remember 1mm roof side is lot more on rear end side of hatch. Keep shocks attached when adjusting as they affect. Measure gap between halo and hatch also to get it even. Might need washer to get it horizontally even. Get used to it if it finishes off aligment, it aint bmw.
Have fun while wrenching.....
Have fun while wrenching.....
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,349
Likes: 2,443
From: Eastern
Sorry for the delay. The struts are not the problem. It looks like the hinges have been bent. I will try to order a set of hinges.
I can only see 4 push pins holding the interior of the halo on. Does anyone know how that is held on so I don't mess it up. Hopefully once that is removed I'll have access to the hinges.
I can only see 4 push pins holding the interior of the halo on. Does anyone know how that is held on so I don't mess it up. Hopefully once that is removed I'll have access to the hinges.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
Might come too late but here goes. Roof trim is held by 4 push pins and metal pry tabs inside the trim. Remove the targa top and leave center closing hook lever down, If you work alone, you coud add wraps around halo to preven the inner roof dropping down, then remove 4 pins, then gently pry the roof trim downwards and you see where those holding tabs are located. Use prybar or similar tool to work then one by one. Beware that roof coud suddenly drop down and it coud snap where closing lever is located. There is also several "velcro tabs" inside but they are usually not holding any more. When you have removed old hinges, clean up and add some sealant to halo part before tightening new hinges. You can adjust hinges from hatch side leaving nuts bit loose and get gaps even on fenders when closin hatch. After that tighten up. There is no play on halo side, only on hatch side. Some cases yoy might need to enlarge bolt holes to get more movement on adjust but remember 1mm roof side is lot more on rear end side of hatch. Keep shocks attached when adjusting as they affect. Measure gap between halo and hatch also to get it even. Might need washer to get it horizontally even. Get used to it if it finishes off alignment, it aint bmw.
Have fun while wrenching.....
Have fun while wrenching.....
I loosened the nuts on the roof side and found there is no movement/adjustment on the roof side as you mentioned. I haven't tried to loosen the screws on the hatch side yet. I think I have the tools to do that without taking the Halo trim off. It looks like I can loosen the screws on the hatch side without taking the halo trim off. is there any advantage to taking the trim off????
In one of my posts I believe I mentioned that I thought the hinge might be bent. I've obtained a new set of OEM hinges and they don't look like they could be bent. I guess if I can take off one hinge at a time and compare it to new, might be the first step.. If they are not bent, I'll loosen all four bolts/screws on both hinges and see if I can make if fit right. They must have fit right at some point in the life of the car. PS. Everything aligns perfectly now except the hatch is 1/2 inch higher than the halo.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,349
Likes: 2,443
From: Eastern
Thank you for your detailed instructions, they are very helpful.
I loosened the nuts on the roof side and found there is no movement/adjustment on the roof side as you mentioned. I haven't tried to loosen the screws on the hatch side yet. I think I have the tools to do that without taking the Halo trim off. It looks like I can loosen the screws on the hatch side without taking the halo trim off. is there any advantage to taking the trim off????
In one of my posts I believe I mentioned that I thought the hinge might be bent. I've obtained a new set of OEM hinges and they don't look like they could be bent. I guess if I can take off one hinge at a time and compare it to new, might be the first step.. If they are not bent, I'll loosen all four bolts/screws on both hinges and see if I can make if fit right. They must have fit right at some point in the life of the car. PS. Everything aligns perfectly now except the hatch is 1/2 inch higher than the halo.
I loosened the nuts on the roof side and found there is no movement/adjustment on the roof side as you mentioned. I haven't tried to loosen the screws on the hatch side yet. I think I have the tools to do that without taking the Halo trim off. It looks like I can loosen the screws on the hatch side without taking the halo trim off. is there any advantage to taking the trim off????
In one of my posts I believe I mentioned that I thought the hinge might be bent. I've obtained a new set of OEM hinges and they don't look like they could be bent. I guess if I can take off one hinge at a time and compare it to new, might be the first step.. If they are not bent, I'll loosen all four bolts/screws on both hinges and see if I can make if fit right. They must have fit right at some point in the life of the car. PS. Everything aligns perfectly now except the hatch is 1/2 inch higher than the halo.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
No, they are installed correctly. I finally found the right tool to loosen the hinges on the hatch side and got one screw loose. Then I got interrupted and will get back to it today. They don't appear to be bent, so I'm hoping there is enough adjustment to fix it. Thanks for your reply.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 36
Likes: 20
From: Under admins eyes
When hinges get older, they get some exess movement/ play. Other thing that makes adjusting bit harder is hinge itshelf made out of thin steel. This can be noticed when you twist hatch from side to side without gas shocks attached. They are not solid in older cars. Remember to adjust striker and lockbody to line up so you end up with hatch that closes nicely. It shoud catch the striker from 1-2cm from closed position and close electrically.
This is something you might want to google.
"General Motors has issued a recall for 5,755 2011-12 Corvette coupes for potentially faulty hatch hinges that could break loose in a crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the rear hatch hinges on cars built between January and September do not meet federal weight capacity requirements."
This is something you might want to google.
"General Motors has issued a recall for 5,755 2011-12 Corvette coupes for potentially faulty hatch hinges that could break loose in a crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the rear hatch hinges on cars built between January and September do not meet federal weight capacity requirements."
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
When hinges get older, they get some exess movement/ play. Other thing that makes adjusting bit harder is hinge itshelf made out of thin steel. This can be noticed when you twist hatch from side to side without gas shocks attached. They are not solid in older cars. Remember to adjust striker and lockbody to line up so you end up with hatch that closes nicely. It shoud catch the striker from 1-2cm from closed position and close electrically.
This is something you might want to google.
"General Motors has issued a recall for 5,755 2011-12 Corvette coupes for potentially faulty hatch hinges that could break loose in a crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the rear hatch hinges on cars built between January and September do not meet federal weight capacity requirements."
This is something you might want to google.
"General Motors has issued a recall for 5,755 2011-12 Corvette coupes for potentially faulty hatch hinges that could break loose in a crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the rear hatch hinges on cars built between January and September do not meet federal weight capacity requirements."
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
I got the hatch side of the hinge loosened and found almost enough adjustment, I'll try to modify the hinges and compare them with new hinges I just bought.
Working on it today with a friend to help. I'll post results tonight.
Thanks everyone for their help.
Working on it today with a friend to help. I'll post results tonight.
Thanks everyone for their help.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 26
From: NY
Thanks everyone for your help, I certainly would not have started this job otherwise.
