Rear Hatch Strut Bracket Question

[speedyblue]

I'm still trying to put the strut that holds the rear hatch up back onto my car.

I was missing a bracket, but I have since gotten hold of one (thanks Jerry)

It looks exactly the same as I remembered, yet I cannot work out how or where is fits :stupid: Would someone be able to take a picture of their bracket/strut so I can see if I am still missing something. It's the end that fixes to the body.

I have a 73 240Z.

I have checked my manual, but unfortunately, the exploded parts view thing stops at the strut, so no help there.

Thanks guys

Scott

[TomoHawk]

Don't you have to remove the plastic finisher panel on that quarter to install the bracket?

[speedyblue]

I don't know.

That is the only piece of interior trim that I have never had. It was missing when I got the car. So it isn't in place and I still can't see what is going on.

[JLPurcell]

Scott. The part I sent attaches to a bracket which is welded in the car. It is on the left side about mid-way on the hatch opening. If the bracket is not there I will have to check to see if I still have the one in my parts car and you would have to have it welded in. I will also try to get you a picture tomorrow of the bracket on my 72. JLP

[mdbrandy]

Don't know if this will help, but my 240Z had/has the exact same problem. The attached picture is of the left side of the hatch, where the welded-on bracket SHOULD be. I have obtained a replacement from a parts car, and will weld it back on when I get to that point in the restoration. The two holes in the rail appear to correspond to two broken spot welds on the replacement that I have. I have no idea why the holes are so uniform. It doesn't look like the bracket broke off originally - it looks like someone drilled the spot welds. POs. You can't trust 'em! :bandit:

[JLPurcell]

On my 1972 the bracket is welded in two places at the point of origin (behind the plastic rear quarter trim) and under the lip of the rear hatch. On the 1973 parts car the bracket was welded at the point of origin and had two round head machine screws through the body hatch rail. The screws are about 1/4" long. I'm sure this is the reason for the holes in your rail. I will try and post some photos tomorrow. JLP

[mdbrandy]

On my 1972 the bracket is welded in two places at the point of origin (behind the plastic rear quarter trim) and under the lip of the rear hatch. On the 1973 parts car the bracket was welded at the point of origin and had two round head machine screws through the body hatch rail. The screws are about 1/4" long. I'm sure this is the reason for the holes in your rail. I will try and post some photos tomorrow. JLP

Interesting. Mine is an 11/69 1970 car, so it's strange that it would be closer (apparently) to your 1973 car than the 1972 one. Do you know how your 1970 is configured? My quarter panel doesn't have a vent under the emblem, so even if it had been replaced in the past, it was replaced with an early quarter panel without the vent. Would the quarter panel even have gone as far as that hatch lip anyway? Hmmm....

[JLPurcell]

The factory replacement quarter goes to the hatch rail. My 70 is modified and the hatch is no longer on it so I can’t look to it as an example. I wonder if installing the machine screws may not have been a recall or a dealer repair to some cars. I do know that some cars had a problem with the support twisting and coming loose at the hatch rail. JLP

[speedyblue]

I've had a good look and the only bracket neat there is the little tabs that hold the plastic trim on. I have two holes in the rail that two little bolts went through from what I remember. Now I wish I had put it all back together years ago after I rinished repainting the brackets and strut.

[Gee]

I'm on the GC, own a 73 240z and can show you how it goes back together. PM me and we can meet up and I'll show you

[JLPurcell]

Scott, I have attached a photo of the original bracket to go with the part that I sent you. Due to the fact that this part is welded to the car I did not include it with the part I sent you which attaches to it. I removed it from the car this morning. On the left you can see the two spot weld points and near the right end you can see the two holes for the machine screws. If you need this part let me know. JLP

[speedyblue]

OK I'm pretty sure I never had that part on my car. I think mine must have been bodged up somehow by the PO. I will have a muck around with it, and try have a look at Gee's car and See it I can work something out. Should be able to make it work somehow.