is there an easy way to fix the gap between the top of the hatch and the roof. I have 2 thirdgens with this same problem, so i know other people must have this problem. Can i just replace the hinges?

 

the hatch isnt supposed to sit flush against the roof...there is supposed to be a little gap there maybe 1/4" or so, to allow the hatch to move freely. You can loosen the bolts on the hinges to move the hatch for alignment purposes.

 

It looks like theres about a 1/2 inch gap in mine. On my 82 the gap is uneven, less gap as it travels towards driver side.But if you say its normal, ok. I thought it just kinda looked off.

One more question. Was the unibody design used on all thirdgens 82-92?

 

half an inch sounds like a bit too much. and if it isnt square, wider at one point then another, then the hatch alignment is definately off, either as a result of hinge movement or sloppy body repair after a collision. Check the rest of the hatch edges, are they square? like I said you can loosen the hinges so you can realign the top edge of the hatch. realigning the bottom deck lid attached to the hatch is a little trickier, I know there have been several posts on that or maybe a tech article.


yes all 82-92 are all unibody

 

thanks for help monkey

 

first of all, don't judge it by where the hatch meets the roof. look at the other side of the hatch (the lip towards the rear of the car) & make sure it lines up with the left & right sides of the rear. if it sticks out a little, then you need to align. it's a common problem (mine does it too - i'm gonna fix it next spring). if you want some step by step instructions, this should do the trick: https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/t...tchalign.shtml

 

in the article he's talkin about takin off the body piese at the end of the hatch glass. I need to fix that gap between the hatch and the roof.. The hatch is sticking out on the back of the car, so much so that the hatch pin and lock will barely meet.

 

line up the glass with the body and then follow the instructions in the tech article to align the lower deck part. unless the body is crooked that should make it come out ok