Tom M'Guinn

I'm thinking of taking my hatch off the car, so I can take it to a glass guy for resealing without worrying about what he'll do to my car/paint etc. It looks relatively easy to get the hatch off. Assuming the shop separates the frame, etc., has anyone broken the glass just pulling the hatch off? Any problems getting it to align right when reinstalling? Anything else I should be thinking about? Thanks all...

linzman

Taking it off is relatively easy. Just 4 Allen bolts. Getting to them in a street car is a bit tricky, but you can do it. I found opening the hatch first and sticking a 2x4 or something under it to keep the pins out of the latching mechanism before undoing the bolts makes it easier.

To put it back on, I found closing the hatch all the way before tightening it down helped with proper alignment of the pins so that the locking mechanism (or more importantly unlocking) worked right.

KVDR

I thought the best way to reseal the hatch was to do it on the car?

I suspect my hatch was resealed off the car - it never sealed/closed properly despite my attempts to adjust the hinges and pins.

Tom M'Guinn

Yeah, I don't know. The Pelican write-up on resealing starts by telling you to remove the hatch. Others have been pretty adamant about saying to leave it on for a reseal. I was just going to take it off so I didn't have to leave my car at the shop/lot and risk dings, scratches, etc... The guy at the shop didn't seem to care either way, although as best I can tell he's only done one in the past (which is one more than anyone else I can find...).

KVDR

I'm about to tackle the hatch reseal myself, but I thought the hatch was removed off the car so that you could properly separate the frame and clean everything thoroughly.

The frame was then installed back onto the car, adhesive applied, and glass lowered down onto it.

Tom M'Guinn

That sounds logical, though the Pelican write up talks about reassembling the whole hatch and then reinstalling it. That said, the guy who did the Pelican write-up was probably winging it like everyone else...

kwikt

I'm thinking about tackling this job as well. How much is the shop charging you? What sealant is he using?

Tom M'Guinn

Don't know which sealant. Will ask. He quoted me $165 to remove and reseal, but then when he saw the car he groaned and said he forgot what a pain it is. He said he'd honor his quote but said it would take a lot longer than he thought. I told him he could take his time and we'd work it out -- I want his best effort, not his best effort for $165...

V2Rocket

5 minute job, tops, to remove the hatch.
doable on your own but much better with a helper - the hatch is 52 lbs...

Tom M'Guinn

Thanks, it's all but off. Take a look at my question about the third brake light. Am I missing a connector?

kwikt

Where is the connection plug for the rear wiper besides from the wiper motor? Will it fit through the frame tubing?

Tom M'Guinn

It goes to that same 4-pin round white connector under the cargo light behind the carpet, at least according to the schematic.

kwikt

Hopefully the plug fits through the metal tube that is attached to my hatch.....or cut the wires!!!

GrantM

You can take the pins out of the connector and then feed them through to prevent having to cut the wires.

kwikt

Yep. that was my last resort. Thanks