hatch problems

[pnyinprgrs]

is it common on the fox body mustangs that you can lift up on the hatch after it has been closed and lift it about an inch? I can almost get my fingers in the car through the hatch. If not is it just the latch needing replaced?

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

Are you meaning it lifts on one corner and it flexes, or the entire hatch lifts up some when you try? It's not too uncommon for the metal to flex at one side or the other if you lift on it, but if the entire thing is lifting, it may not be fully engaging the latch completely, or the latch mechanism is worn, and may need replacement.

 

[pnyinprgrs]

the latch holds fine but yah I can totally lift up on the sides of the hatch but not where the latch itself is located.

 

[gt40_2003wes]

it probably isnt latchng properly my hatch did that and i had to put a new bushing on the latch now it works fine and u malso might wanna try to adjust ur hatch.

 

[joeficsit]

lucky

you're lucky. down here in texas we got to deal with rust!

 

[1SLO306]

you're lucky. down here in texas we got to deal with rust!

damn that sucks

 

[Euphoric306]

sounds like the metal may just be flexing

i wouldn't worry about it too much, kinda normal for old cars

 

[SamSnyder]

The post on the lower car body that the hatch "bear hug" latch clamps on to has a plastic sleeve around it that can crack and crumble off. Take a close look at it and compare it to a car with no problems, and you should see that there's a plastic sleeve supposed to be there (although yours might be gone due to breakage). Mine did and caused a very loose hatch condition, despite the fact that nothing else had changed. I initially tried to correct it by putting a 1" length of split plastic piping on the post to allow the lock to clamp on tightly, but it didn't work. I ended up just pulling a junkyard post off another car that had its plastic sleeve intact and swapping it in. The thing uses a Torx drive, and there's a captured nut behind the lower bodywork that holds it in place. Just cop another post and use your Torx bit to swap it out.

 

[Black1987Stang]

I have the same deal except the whole thing sometimes will lift up an inch or two if i dont close it a special way. Although I dont have a plastic bushing in there so thats prob why and also my hatch needs to be realigned. But in order for me to close it, as soon as its about to latch onto the post push down on the right corner of the hatch while its on its way down. yea sounds ghetto but works perfect everytime. if u try to close it normal it wont engage at all. My stangs full of many tricks like that. Last night i had about 10 friends try to open my door and they couldnt, they were looking for a hidden lever and everything. finally one kid got it and showed everyone else how to do it. pretty funny watching them try and open a door

 

[gt40_2003wes]

The post on the lower car body that the hatch "bear hug" latch clamps on to has a plastic sleeve around it that can crack and crumble off. Take a close look at it and compare it to a car with no problems, and you should see that there's a plastic sleeve supposed to be there (although yours might be gone due to breakage). Mine did and caused a very loose hatch condition, despite the fact that nothing else had changed. I initially tried to correct it by putting a 1" length of split plastic piping on the post to allow the lock to clamp on tightly, but it didn't work. I ended up just pulling a junkyard post off another car that had its plastic sleeve intact and swapping it in. The thing uses a Torx drive, and there's a captured nut behind the lower bodywork that holds it in place. Just cop another post and use your Torx bit to swap it out.

u can buy a whole set for 12 bucks comes with 6 i did today at autozone.

 

[pnyinprgrs]

thanks for all the info guys I appreciate it.Will have to go back out and check it out.