My 82 Camaro has a factory mis-aligned deck lid.
It sticks out the back a 1/3 inch further than it should. This was a factory issue with all the 82s I've ever seen.

Since I'll be taking the deck lid off for painting I was wondering what effort it would be to move the deck lid up a bit along the glass to make the spoiler flush across the back?
What holes need to be redrilled ... any other adjustments req'd?
What to watch out for during disassembly ??

Anyone try this?

Also:
- glass won't go up any further at the hinges, so that's not an option
- can't adjust spoiler pieces to compensate
- I have a rear wiper which will stay on the car (keeping it original)

Thx in advance.
Ron

 

if i remember right, the holes in the glass are pretty big.. so adjusting is no problem.. just move the decklid more up on the glass..

i may be wrong cause its been 4 years since i took mine off..

 

yep.. just fine tune the deck lid on the glass... there's quite alot of play and adjustment in that area as well. it's a pita to get perfect but worth it in the end.

 

Do those two black pieces on either side of the deck lid need to be unscrewed or do those just slide? I attempted to adjusted my deck lid once but I didn't take off the struts (wasn't paying attention) so I couldn't get it to move. I would adjust it at the hinges but I'm worried that the weatherstripping will not seal any more and the hatch will leak.

 

If you are talking about the bump-stops at the rearmost ends of the decklid, they are a height adjustment. Just make those level with the fenders height. Start off higher if you have doubts. Then lower. If you go too low, you will over-crush the weatherstrip and it could split if old. And I would get help and detach the struts to adjust the front to back. Mine has been slightly back since Ive owned it and I just havent worried about it. On a Trans-Am with the aero spoiler it isnt noticable. Though on an Camaro/IROC with the 3-pc spoiler, it would **** me off. LOL Get help though, that back glass is the structure of the hatch, so GM made it THICK and it is heavy.
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Actually I had a question. One of my plastic caps on the top hinge bolts outside has removed itself from age. Is there a replacement cap or hinge avail? I am going to search a salvage yard but would prefer new.

 

Pacer, when I first joined this board, the first thing I found was a thread with pix of the how to adjust the deck to the glass. TGO made my day then. I could not find the thread just now, but it is probably here. Be sure and clean the glass and use new sealant the first time. Don't ask how I know. LOL

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/hatchalign


Tech article. I need to do it too.

 

Thanks! I never saw that one in there.

 

O hells ya!, I been searching for somthing like this on here for a long time as well. Thank you very much.