Kalspeed

Hi

Replacing my rear hatch seal and wondered if the seal's inner portion as it is in the lip is suppose to tuck in behind the quarter panel or over it.

I am half-way finished and noticed at the lower corners (above the tail lights) the seal tends to sit over the panel.

Now with the seal in place, the hatch sits higher than before (I removed the rubber adjustments). This misalignment was the cause of an earlier electrical issue due to the light switch not making proper contact in the OFF position. I ended up disconnecting the switch.

Pics of the gap:









Below is pic of the hatch to roof gap..doesn't seem to be any room for adjustment.



Pic of what Porsche calls guide wedge. Will this affect proper seating of the hatch?



The latch and hatch receiver. Do they adjust anyway? I ordered the plastic insert for the bottom latch already but I don't see how it would correct that gap.





Thanks

Mrmerlin

remove the trim panel that holds the rear bumper cover top edge, next to the seal.
then install the seal then install the trim.

Also installing the seal along the top edge its easier of you remove the top trim cover of the hatch this will let you have full ability to press the seal onto the body edge..
Also the seal will seal better if you put a bead of Hondabond 4 into the body groove then install the seal

Kalspeed

Yeah I finally figured it out after awhile, which is what I did.

This was the first thing I did, and I was able to retain all but 1 clip. I am expecting a replacement panel next week to replace my badly warped panel I have now. So I haven't reinstalled it, will further ensure the seal is in the grooves tomorrow after work

Good call, I used DOW 111 which I have in abundance. seems to work so far


Still have the alignment issues though

Mrmerlin

take a piece of paper and put one on each side of the hatch where the side bumpers are then close it if you cant remove the paper easily then re adjust the side bumper down a bit and test it again.
from the looks of things,
if the hatch is as closed as it can be then someone may have tried to pry the hatch and bent it.

You may get a tighter seal by removing the male and female parts of the hatch latch, then striking the mounting area with a block of wood and a big hammer.

BUT read the note

NOTE proper hatch function should not be checked till the lower portion insert is installed as this will change how the male portion locks into the female portion

Kalspeed

Definitely not bent, the gap is equal around the bottom of the hatch lid. I tend to lean towards those guide wedge/plates perhaps set too high (and below). PO had the car painted black and I cringe whenever I need to fuss in the gaps and seams as the paint chips off due to a poorly prepared surface.

Yeah I'll wait until I receive the insert which I ordered from Nicole...