Rear Hatch Adjustment
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 62
Likes: 10
From: Cumming,Ga
Rear Hatch Adjustment Is the rear hatch cover adjustable.I can see the nuts on the bolts on the hatch,but can’t tell if there is any adjustment under them.And how about where hatch hinge bolts to top.My gaps are off and need to go in to shorten at back along tail lights and the the drivers front needs to go over towards passenger side.Is it adjustable?
Yeah it is adjustable, but not the end you are looking at. The end of the hinge under the headliner is where you want to adjust it. You have to pull the courtesy light out to be able to pull down the headliner enough to reach them. I think you may also need to partially remove the quarter trim. Build quality isn't so great on these and if you adjust one gap you may make another worse. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 62
Likes: 10
From: Cumming,Ga
Ok thanks.Yeah I know about build quality.I had a 2nd gen for 35 years and the factory fit was terrible.Still gotta try this though.The rear of the hatch is hitting my taillight it’s so far back.
a friend may help here. if I had to guess the hatch is 115 pounds. one can hold while the other tightens
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 62
Likes: 10
From: Cumming,Ga
I got a guy who has done all my paint and body for years.I'll go up to his shop and get him to help me out.He probably already knew the answer to my question.I just like to know what's involved before i bother him.I'm sure we can get it better than it is now.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 324
Likes: 25
From: Waterford, MI
There is also some adjustment in the latch and striker. I had to tweak it on mine when I first got it. It would line up just fine, but as soon as it hit the striker and latched, it would pull to one side. Moving them around a little bit corrected that problem.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 62
Likes: 10
From: Cumming,Ga
The problem i have is that the gap between the hatch and sailpanel on the right is about 1/2” and on the left it is tight.Also end of the hatch is out past my quarters and almost touching my tail lights.
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TECH Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 324
Likes: 25
From: Waterford, MI
Yeah, for that you're going to want to drop the headliner and adjust it at the hinges. Based on how most of these headliners are, it may be best to remove it since some are getting pretty brittle. The last couple hatches I pulled from parts cars, the headliner wanted to buckle in the middle as I pulled it down to get to the hinge nuts.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 62
Likes: 10
From: Cumming,Ga
Hope mines not to brittle.Hate to have to take headliner out.But if it is necessary i will remove it.Don't want to mess up my headliner.And i am about to replace my bubbling sailpanel and want to get the hatch lined up better before i do the panel so i it matches up with the adjusted hatch.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 324
Likes: 25
From: Waterford, MI
It's pretty easy to drop the headliner. Pull the A pillar trim pieces, or T top trim pieces. Pull the top part of the sail panels loose, or just out, only takes a couple minutes. Pull the overhead light out, and pull the visors (3 screws each). If you have T tops, there will be a small clip in the middle of the T tops too. Shouldn't take more than 10-15 minutes to drop it out to keep it safe.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 324
Likes: 25
From: Waterford, MI
Sitting in the seat, look about straight up and you'll see it's one of those round xmas tree push pins in the center of the headliner, between the T tops, sorry clip wasn't the right word.