Aligning my rear hatch
09-01-2011, 09:09 PM
#1
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Aligning my rear hatch I replaced my sail panel today and took my rear hatch off the formula as a safety precaution. When I put the hatch back on and went to close it it won't latch. I checked all my gaps and they are perfect. The hatch is not hitting the new sail panel at all. Its seems to barely be too far back to latch shut. I am gonna mess it with some more tomorrow since I ran outta day light today. Has anyone had any problems with realigning their hatch?
09-02-2011, 02:11 AM
#2
rule of thumb.. ALWAYS mark your parts... did you remover the hinge from the hatch or the hinge from the car? either way, those holes are elongated and the weight of the hatch makes them slide down, the sides look good but the top gap is way off im sure... pics would be nice...
09-02-2011, 09:07 AM
#4
to take off the hatch you have to undo the hinges from either the hatch or the sail panel..... you should have removed 4 bolts and the struts to get the hatch off... where did you remove the bolts from? Did you drop the rear headliner down at all? if not then you removed the bolts from the hatch, there should be marks on the hinges where the bolts were originally, make sure they are in their original position, even the slightest amount is amplified by the time it reaches the end of the hatch... again, pics would be nice.
I have put on several of these so I know how to align them, show me what youre workin with man...
I have put on several of these so I know how to align them, show me what youre workin with man...
09-02-2011, 09:39 AM
#6
Thats what I needed to know.. loosen them, make the hatch latch and use playing cards to set the gaps at the corners, even number of cards on each side means its straight... when its where you want it, tighten them down...you may need to do lay down inside and push up on the glass to slide it around, once its latched, use the cards to set the gaps...
09-02-2011, 09:51 AM
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uploading the pics. it looks like the hatch is hitting in the middle of the latch but it won't shut. it looks like the gaps in the pics are off though. i got the bolts loose but the struts are back on the hatch.
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09-02-2011, 09:53 AM
#8
LOL.. theyre pushin up on the hatch man.. undo the struts, lay on your back and look at the latch.. once its in place have someone latch it.. then use the cards to set gaps.. too easy bro..
09-02-2011, 11:36 AM
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yeah i took them off. from the bolt holes, it appears u can adjust the hatch from the passenger side. both bolt holes are larger than the bolt. on the drivers side on hole is larger than the bolt and the other hole is just big enough to fit the bolt through
09-02-2011, 11:44 AM
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well my dad was helping but he had to leave for work, my brother is worthless when it comes to cars and that only leaves mom so pretty much it is me for now.
09-02-2011, 12:05 PM
#17
only other option is see if the hatch hook got moved when you sat it down on the ground... I doubt it but if it doesnt look like its been moved.. disconnect the hatch side (or whatever side you disconnected before)... latch it then and align it... see where the hinges sit after that...
09-02-2011, 01:12 PM
#20
the hatch doesnt move cause its not sitting on the release spring.. dont worry about that... loosen ALL bolts and try again. there is nothing wrong with the hatch, its weight is not letting it slide around to be aligned...