my bolts on my 87 firebird for the hatch are rusted pretty bad. and i want to replace them. the hatch sits about 1/2 an inch too far out, so when i adjust the hatch i want to replace the bolts. im shure there is a torque to tighten them up, i just dont want to crack glass. anyone got ideas?

I guess delete this one?

You wont crack the glass. You'll shater it. I got the same issue. I thought about taking off my glass so that I can solder my outside rear brake light. I tried to remove mine but it wouldnt budge. I thinking about just taking off the rust and forming them round and apply bondo so that they can look new. Has anyone else had success at taking off these bolts?

Donald87FB, have you posted this thread in the body section? try there. try to keep the general engine board strictly general engine.

The bolts at the top are not the issue with the hatch misalignment. If they're rusted, you'll have to find some good used ones (I just did this a couple months ago) and put those in. Shouldnt have any issues of breakage, just dont go nuts on overtightening them.

The reason the hatch is not aligned at the back 99% of the time is because the hatch is sliding off the glass at the back of the window. There are several nuts on the inside you have to loosen and chances are if you do not reseal this area once you move it, it'll leak.

Any suggestions on what kind of sealant this gentleman needs for the hatch should he remove the lower portion?

used ones can be found . they may or may not be any better than what you have . MDM , modern day muscle is the only place i have found new ones . they are not cheap , ( about 9bux ea. ) but how long did yours last from the factory ? anyway when you change them do one at a time . clean area GOOD , re-seal , don't overtighten nuts . did i say clean area very good ? did i say re-seal ? did i say don't overtorque ? i also have looked for new hinges to no avail . good luck .

I have close to the same problem with my 92 camaro. I went to the junk yard and got one for like two bucks, not really looking foreward to puttin it on though but right now mines all rusted and broken and has a slight leak so it needs to be done.

My paint is barely beginning to peal due to the premature rust forming under the bolts to my rear glass. Im more concerned about the little bit of rust on the rails of my t-top.

I would use the same sealer as used on the front window. Window-Weld, 3M 08609