Trunk Latch is fubar

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Jun 12, 2006 | 04:39 PM

pHEnomIC

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From: Michigan (Macomb or Lansing)

Trunk Latch is fubar

Well i have an 02 t/a and the trunk was giving me problems. It wouldnt release unless iwas giving upward pressure. I did the spring modification (added another springs) and it worked fairly good for a while.

Opened most of the time no problem. Now, I am having trouble again, i pulled the clotth to realize that the arm that is attached to the springs seems to be bent. Is there any good way to fix this?

I tried straightening it a couple of times with vice grips and even a hammer with no luck, it just goes back to how it was. It is bent towards the front of the car btw.

Jun 12, 2006 | 09:28 PM

iamsickofitall

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From: Clifton, NJ

well you tried my three suggestions already - prybar maybe?

Jun 12, 2006 | 10:37 PM

Mike02Z

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From: Eastern PA

I have a similar problem. Tried both fixes over at installuniversity.com and neither solved my issue. the spring worked for about 3 days then stopped working again. I need to hit the remote 3 or 4 times while pulling up on the hatch to get it to open. I should check and see if my arm is bent too. it Looks like the GM part number for that whole assembly is 16629978 for the 02. I may order a new one for 32 bucks to see if it fixes my issue.

Jun 13, 2006 | 12:23 AM

2002_Z28_Six_Speed

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From: Wash, DC

Thank you for listing the part number!

Jun 13, 2006 | 12:42 PM

Mike2kZ

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From: Katy, TX

I second that on the part #.

. If you can weld, maybe cut a new piece of metal and weld it to the existing arm to strengthen it up.

Oct 2, 2006 | 08:48 AM

mike18228

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From: Randolph, NJ

can someone PM me the site to get the new spring for the hatch?

Oct 2, 2006 | 01:37 PM

Dal1as

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From: MD

lol, exact same thing happened to me. The spring mod works for awhile but then bends the arm. I leave mine as is now for security purposes. You can't open the hatch unless you have the key fob.