Uneven Rear Hatch on '71

[Carl Beck]

Arne:

If the top of the hatch lid, lines up correctly with the roof line.... If the sides of the hatch lid line up evenly with the sides of the body.... Then that's about all you can accomplish with hinge adjustments.

Once the above was done - Then a Body Man would:

1. Open the hatch, and place a block of wood under the lower right corner of the hatch lid, on the threshold plate.

2. Close the hatch lid down on the block of wood - then place his left hand on the lower left corner of the hatch lid - and push it down an inch or two with medium force. Using a sort of bouncing/rocking force... to spring it back into shape.

This would raise the lower right side of the hatch - and maybe lower the left side a bit. Once the line at the bottom of the hatch lid is straight - you might have to adjust your hatch lid latch down a bit.

After doing this - make sure that your hatch lid hinges did NOT move. Always very carefully open the hatch lid - while watching the hatch lid/roof interface!! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT...

FWIW,

Carl B.

Edited December 29, 2008 by Carl Beck

[Unkle]

So does this allow the exhaust gasses in ? Is your gasket / weatherstrip flush with the metal edge all the way around ?

Edited December 29, 2008 by Unkle

[Arne]

It's not lifted enough to lift it off the seal, so no exhaust gases. It's pretty much just an appearance issue.

[ktm]

Odd, my 1972 240z does not have this issue. The hatch is flush all the way around.

Have you tried loosening the little bracket that the strut connects to which is attached to the body? It is a single bolt and I believe there may be a little bit of adjustment to be had there.