Today I discovered something about the hatch latch mechanism that out- right astounded me. Its the LAST thing I would have expected. Its just not logical.

Anyone else guess what it might be? Thought I'de turn this into a learning experience.

Maybe its a well known thing, we'll see....

Is it that it isn't watertight?

I have that latch in a bag here due to some work I have been doing on the hatch, sorta like cheating but I can't figure it out anyway.

Mike you are right that it is not water tight, but that's not the "right" answer. Keep thinking about it.

It can be reversed.

rcb, it can be, but it will not work, at least you can't release it with the button.

Good to see some are thinking about this. You may have to out and stare at it for a while...

Everyone must be hung over or sleeping this morning.

Hint number one. Its not about how it functions, its about how it's positioned.

The higher you adjust the bottom latch, the tighter it latches........

ok, this isn't working like I'de hoped. Sorry Guy, I think the result of moving the striker is pretty normal.

Alright, if YOU had to design a hatch latch thing, and you could only use one, and the hatch was symetrical in every way, where would you put it?

Im not looking at mine right now but my guess is its not in the middle

under the tag light......

  pjoe said:

Im not looking at mine right now but my guess is its not in the middle

Right. As the latch mechanism itself is not symmetrical, the button/keyhole is dead center on the vehicle but the striker is about an inch to the right.

Aha! success! 72OJ wins the prize. Even though I had to lead you-all by the nose to get there...

Now I have complete faith in the Nissan engineers of the time, but for the life of me, wouldn't you want thing in the middle to hold the hatch evenly? Looking at the way the release button touches the bar of the latch mech, it kinda has to be like it is, but jeez!

I know there is a common issue with the left side of the hatch on some Z's not wanting to sit all the way down flush with the body, (mine is severe!), maybe this is a contributing factor?