ok i got a hatch pull down motor from a local yard (after accidentially ordering the wrong unit from thrid gen resource) and got it installed. Now i need to know how to tell if the sucker is shot and if it is is there any way to manualy pull it down far enough to hold the hatch closed or should i just go back to my old ratchet tie down.

 

lonsal is the guru on hatch mechanisms..

 

Thanks for the kudos, but in this case I don't believe I can help much. If you'll notice I hadn't posted (until now) on this topic. Here's why. I CAN help with all the parts to repair the 1986-91 hatch pull-down units. I even stock rebuilt & remanufactured 1986-87 & 1988-91 hatch pull-down units. Those units have a metal frame. The hatch pull-down unit was redesigned in 1991 starting with vin#173202 to one with an integral injection molded plastic frame. If that is indeed what you have (as I suspect), I can't help. The ONLY part I stock for those units is the gear nut. As you've likely discovered, the two versions can't be interchanged. The mounting of the unit to the body and the latching to the hatch are completely different. However, if I am wrong and your hatch pull-down unit is the first design, then by all means e-mail me at: topdownsolutions@yahoo.com for a Price List.

Lon Salgren
Top-Down Solutions

 

Actually mine is the old style, but yes i noticed they are impossible to switch with the exsisting hardware and probably more work to convert over than its worth. The motor is idead and i have checked the wireing so monday its off to gm to be bent over and and told its $90 for a motor. Oh well.

 

As I said I stock all the parts to rebuilt these including new motors. You can buy a completely rebuilt hatch pull-down unit from me for just slightly more than the $90 you were ready to drop at your GM dealer. I rebuild the units and offer a 6-month warranty. They are $92.50 plus a refundable $30 core charge through 9/30. October 1st a new Price List takes effect and the price goes up substantially on this item.

Lon

 

Here is a picture of the new motor I stock. I go to the extra step of reinforcing the motor housing with 4 pieces of aluminum and epoxy. This item is exclusive to TDS.


Lon

 

Well i looks like i am out of luck at gm, they Apparantly no longer make that part. I checked over the phone and talked to a friend (who has a GTA) and he said as well that he needs one and they are infact nolonger produceing them. What a steaming pile, so lon at somepoint i will try and order one of your units, but it may be a bit since the next 3 days i will be moveing.

 

Not a problem. I just wanted you (and everyone else) to be aware that as of tomorrow the price increases from $92.50 to $135 for the rebuilt hatch pull-down units. The motor and integtral housing (which I custom reinforce) replace the original one, which you've discovered is discontinued. I do have some used old-style motors in stock. They are $17.50.

Lon

 

i ordered a new one from the dealership, i believe it was around a 110 dollars for the motor.

just a tip that i had to learn the hard way, make sure you grease the slides. mine started getting stuck until i did that.

-fly

 

i just had a hatch motor problem - when i bought the car the hatch barely got pulled down and it would keep pulling and not lock, you'd have to jump on it for it to stop and lock up.. ended up buying the new motor (just the motor and plastic piece attached to it). i reused my old locking mechanism and switch thing.. anyways, i found out from slamming the old one it broke the plastic part into 3 pieces. got the new base part for $60 at Napa.. that and my sliders are all shot, i have 1 on each side of the thing, and even those two are only partial pieces..Pontiac won't sell me new sliders, they will only sell me the whole thing, motor,lock, everything for $400 so i'm hoping to find someone who sells these, because right now the brand new motor i feel is going to die, due to the sliders' condition, it goes up/pulls down all funky and jerky like.


If anybody sells these or knows where i can get them, let me know please?

 

try these guys.. they make them... costs around US$16 for 4.. your'll need 8 actually as they heat seal together over the years and look like you only had 4.. but you had 8 .. so get 8.
http://www.usgmserviceparts.com.au/s...egory152_1.htm