Rear Hatch Latch Won't Release On '71 240Z

[SSuspect]

I hope I am posting this in the right section. I did a search, but could not find any info on this specific issue. I am starting to tear into the 240 and need a little bit of help.

The latch for the rear hatch is not releasing when depressed. I even pulled the interior panels and manually depressed the latch mechanism - nothing! I can feel the "jaws" of the latch moving, but nothing seems to be "releasing".

I can feel 2 small screw heads holding the mechanism in place, should I remove these (should be fun - not much room to work). Will that release the hatch? I can also feel the clip that holds the lock button in place. I can pull that easily enough if needed. I can even pull the entire tail assy off if needed - I will do it eventually anyway.

Any help IS appreciated!

Thanks!

Tim

[EScanlon]

Have someone press down on the hatch as you actuate the latch, that should allow it to release the catch. Removing the lock won't get you better access, although you could then press down on the hatch AND press down on the latch mechanism yourself.

Don't know how you would pull off the entire tail assembly without damaging the car or the panels as the rivets that hold the tail-light finishers are covered by the hatch.

If you can remove the screws holding the latch catch to the body, you can then open the hatch and R&R the latch mechanism. A good shot of WD-40 may help also, it sounds as though it's sticking due to old grease.

FWIW

E

[SSuspect]

Thanks E! I will mess with it again over the next few days and see what happens. It can't be "too" tough... :classic: I'll reply once I get it done.

Thanks again!

Tim

[SSuspect]

Mr.EScanlon - THANK YOU!

Once my neighbor got done laughing at me (all 6'1" & 250 lbs of me crammed into the rear hatch area) and making jokes about 10lbs of crap in a 5 lb bag, I finally got it open! Popped the lock out, blasted some WD40 in there and it finally came open with a little work.

The PO had the latch mechanism cocked at a funky angle and it was not releasing cleanly. A couple of simple adjustments and now it is working perfectly! He also has a bunch of bogus weatherstripping in there. That will be gone soon enough. I do need a new shock absorber, but that is easy enough too.

The bonus - ABSOLUTELY ZERO RUST in the entire rear area! The spare tire well looks like brand new! The more I dig into this car looking for rust, the happier I get that I am not finding much.

One question - Did these cars originally come with a scissor jack or a bottle jack? There are one of each in the storage compartments. It has all of the original tire tools and the original pouch too!

Thanks again for the info!!! I think I am gonna REALLY like playing with this car!

Here are a couple of pics of the hatch area.

[Arne]

Original tools, also from a '71. Note the scissor-type jack. Originally came with four spare lug nuts, too.

[SSuspect]

Original tools, also from a '71. Note the scissor-type jack. Originally came with four spare lug nuts, too.

SWEET! Thanks Arne! The jack and tools are there. Looks like the wheel chocks have never even been used! There are no lug nuts, but there are 4 plastic tubes (about 3" long x 3/4" diameter). 3 black and one red. No clue what these would have been for (hold the lug nuts maybe).

Tim

[Unkle]

You also have the rare factory Datsun stick to hold the hatch open ! And the obligatory 13 pennies , left by your generous previous owner !

[SSuspect]

You also have the rare factory Datsun stick to hold the hatch open ! And the obligatory 13 pennies , left by your generous previous owner !

No Joke! And a bunch of scary stuff under the front seats! I will be digging out my elbow length gloves once I decide to pull the seats out!