Rear Hatch
#1
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Rear Hatch
Are there any threads on the rear hatch? Mine keeps popping open when i hit a hard bump. My rear wiper also only moves to the center and then stops. Are there any threads on it?
#3
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You'll also find in the search that a lot of hatch problems (won't remote unlatch reliably, won't stay latched, etc) are due to worn out and/or broken latch pieces.
The white button in the hatch side of the latch, and the plastic insert in the receiver, are both replaceable wear items. The top piece comes in a kit with a new rivet. The bottom piece is available in a couple of aftermarket forms with various formulations.
It's also common to find either of the metal parts cracked and bent. I think I've heard that the top metal piece is NLA. Some have reported good luck repairing these pieces with JB Weld. If it were me, and I'd found cracks in one of them, I'd probably clean it up and solder it with Muggy Weld, then repaint it.
The white button in the hatch side of the latch, and the plastic insert in the receiver, are both replaceable wear items. The top piece comes in a kit with a new rivet. The bottom piece is available in a couple of aftermarket forms with various formulations.
It's also common to find either of the metal parts cracked and bent. I think I've heard that the top metal piece is NLA. Some have reported good luck repairing these pieces with JB Weld. If it were me, and I'd found cracks in one of them, I'd probably clean it up and solder it with Muggy Weld, then repaint it.
#4
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The hatch popping open is usually due to the liner being deteriorated/missing. If your liner is missing and you need a temporary quick fix, take a page from a magazine, cut a strip about 1.250" wide and start rolling it up from one end making folds about every inch. You'll want to end up with a piece about 1"x 1.250" and around .125" thick. Place this rolled up piece between the spring plunger in the socket and the rear of the socket. Carefull close the hatch. Make sure this shim piece is pulled fully back in the socket. You dont want this piece to go below the post amd prevent it from closong all the way. This will shim the hatch post slightly forward and keep the hatch from popping open on bumps. Don't over do it, because you don't want to over stress the post (as afore mentioned, they can crack). Once you fix the socket properly with a new liner, if the hatch doesn't sit flush (low enough) it usually the plastic latch in the post that is worn out (you will see a notch worn out of the top edge. Also examine the adjustable bumpers on either corner of the hatch for proper height adjustment. These help keep the hatch quieter while driving.
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The rear wiper park position is controlled by fuse #18, I believe, which also controls the horn and the hatch release current pulse. Does your horn honk? Frequently old horns get corroded and blow that fuse.
-Sean
-Sean