Rear hatch release problem
#1
Navigator
Thread Starter
Rear hatch release problem
Twice now the rear hatch on our 2015 Z06 wouldn't release. Tonight at the grocery store in the rain, go figure. Had to load the grocery's through the rear seat. Had to drive home with it un-latched (hatch open indicator on and rear lights on) but unable to open. I tried several times to open using the hidden button and I could hear it activating the latch but it wouldn't pop up enough to get a finger under it. I grabbed a plastic pry bar and tried prying in the center near the latch while hitting the button but no release. I moved to the left side and pried against the quarter panel. I had to pry really hard and it finally released along with a sticking sound of the seal. The latch was release the whole time but the seal had stuck itself to the hatch! Same thing happened the first time it stuck. Both times the hatch hadn't been opened to a couple of weeks. I lubricated the seal with armor-all to see if it cures the problem. I also lubricated the latch with spray lithium but I really don't think the latch is the problem. Any one else have this problem?
#2
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2000
Location: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
Posts: 23,940
Received 2,051 Likes
on
1,362 Posts
St. Jude Donor '13
We have not had a similar problem, but note that GM had a bulletin about squeaking creaking targa tops on the C6, and specifically recommended against using Armor-All on the weatherstripping, I can't recall what problems it was supposed to cause. For a while they recommended the paste (not spray!) version of Super Lube, but that would turn into a sticky gooey mess after a year. Current recommendation for the C7 is dielectric silicone grease which is cheap and works well but could stain your clothes if you rub it, or their special weatherstrip lube that also works well but costs a fortune.
#3
Le Mans Master
I have the same problem with my rear hatch. When the temps are low, I can hear it release, but it only goes up a quarter inch and then it auto latches closed.
Annoying. Im planning to take the interior panels off to see if it can be adjusted.
Annoying. Im planning to take the interior panels off to see if it can be adjusted.
#4
Navigator
Thread Starter
We have not had a similar problem, but note that GM had a bulletin about squeaking creaking targa tops on the C6, and specifically recommended against using Armor-All on the weatherstripping, I can't recall what problems it was supposed to cause. For a while they recommended the paste (not spray!) version of Super Lube, but that would turn into a sticky gooey mess after a year. Current recommendation for the C7 is dielectric silicone grease which is cheap and works well but could stain your clothes if you rub it, or their special weatherstrip lube that also works well but costs a fortune.
#5
Navigator
Thread Starter
On another note, I did notice that the latch has a rubber coating where it makes contact with the hook on the hatch and mine is partially wore through. I think that is there to eliminate any metal on metal squeaking that could occur.
#6
Burning Brakes
i have this issue on my ‘14. i took it to the dealer and they said the rear hatch lift bracket needs to be replaced. they want over $600 to replace a lift bracket that can be bought for $59 from gmpartsdirect. naturally, my gm extended warranty doesn’t cover brackets. trying to find someone who has changed the bracket to find out what is involved with making the repair. so far no luck. btw, tried the silicone lube thing and it worked for awhile but no longer.
#7
Navigator
Thread Starter
i have this issue on my ‘14. i took it to the dealer and they said the rear hatch lift bracket needs to be replaced. they want over $600 to replace a lift bracket that can be bought for $59 from gmpartsdirect. naturally, my gm extended warranty doesn’t cover brackets. trying to find someone who has changed the bracket to find out what is involved with making the repair. so far no luck. btw, tried the silicone lube thing and it worked for awhile but no longer.
#8
Burning Brakes
thx, i’ll give that a try. may not work though because my hatch is misaligned. i think that is why the lift bracket failed in the first place. just a theory.
#9
Burning Brakes
ride close door with windows up thing and it didn’t work. because my hatch is misaligned, the one edge is providing enough friction to keep the hatch from popping up enough to open it. need to realign the hatch but have no clue how to do it.
#10
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2000
Location: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
Posts: 23,940
Received 2,051 Likes
on
1,362 Posts
St. Jude Donor '13
Usually but not always, a bit of looking and thinking about the problem will help you understand how to do the adjustment If not, a body shop that has worked on C7's should be able to do the adjustment quickly and (relatively) cheaply, if it's merely a misalignment and not something bigger.
Do you think the bracket which the dealer wants to charge so much for, is actually ok and aligning the hatch will fix everything?
Or has the car ever been hit?
Do you think the bracket which the dealer wants to charge so much for, is actually ok and aligning the hatch will fix everything?
Or has the car ever been hit?
#11
Burning Brakes
Usually but not always, a bit of looking and thinking about the problem will help you understand how to do the adjustment If not, a body shop that has worked on C7's should be able to do the adjustment quickly and (relatively) cheaply, if it's merely a misalignment and not something bigger.
Do you think the bracket which the dealer wants to charge so much for, is actually ok and aligning the hatch will fix everything?
Or has the car ever been hit?
Do you think the bracket which the dealer wants to charge so much for, is actually ok and aligning the hatch will fix everything?
Or has the car ever been hit?
Last edited by mmorse; 05-03-2018 at 05:04 PM.
#12
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2000
Location: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
Posts: 23,940
Received 2,051 Likes
on
1,362 Posts
St. Jude Donor '13
Well, I don't have any additional suggestions, but that sure is a beautiful shade of blue!
#13
Burning Brakes
#14
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: NE South Carolina
Posts: 29,501
Received 9,626 Likes
on
6,630 Posts
....GM.....specifically recommended against using Armor-All on the weatherstripping, I can't recall what problems it was supposed to cause. For a while they recommended the paste (not spray!) version of Super Lube, but that would turn into a sticky gooey mess after a year. Current recommendation for the C7 is dielectric silicone.
I bought a dielectric grease designed for the purpose of lubing seals from Amazon. Use sparingly!
Last edited by JerryU; 05-06-2018 at 02:43 PM.
#15
Burning Brakes
why dielectric grease? why would it need to conduct electricity?
#16
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: NE South Carolina
Posts: 29,501
Received 9,626 Likes
on
6,630 Posts
GM says use a dialectic, which is silicon but it doesn't conduct electricity! I bought a product recommended on the forum called Gummi Pflege Stift, it is petroleum free. It is from German and all I can read is it's hazardous statement that says can cause eye injury! Feels slippery!
Funny after this Thread I used it. Bought some time ago and said I would after a year-it's now a year! Interesting applicator. Just squeeze the bottle and it soaks the sponge on top. I put it on heavy and wiped excess it with a paper towel. I let it dry as recommended but only for 15 minutes. Appears fine.
This is want it says about it on Amazon:
Size: 3.4 fl oz
Conditions all weather seals around doors, hood and trunk
Temperature resistant for long-lasting protection
Prevents rubber from drying and cracking
With built-in foam applicator for easy application
Made in Germany
Funny after this Thread I used it. Bought some time ago and said I would after a year-it's now a year! Interesting applicator. Just squeeze the bottle and it soaks the sponge on top. I put it on heavy and wiped excess it with a paper towel. I let it dry as recommended but only for 15 minutes. Appears fine.
This is want it says about it on Amazon:
Size: 3.4 fl oz
Conditions all weather seals around doors, hood and trunk
Temperature resistant for long-lasting protection
Prevents rubber from drying and cracking
With built-in foam applicator for easy application
Made in Germany