how do i adjust the hatch on my 88 rs???? the hatch contacts the driver side panel when closed

 

What about it are you trying to adjust? Is it not closing right, misaligned with the body, leaking or ???

If you want someone to put the time into giving you an answer, please spend the time to clarify your question.

TA

 

tryin to align with the body it is to tight on the drivers side

 

Sounds like hinge adjustment. Slide passenger side hinge up towards roof.(slightly)

 

My 87 IROC has the same problem. It makes contact on the passenger side. SO I assume slide the hinge up a little on the drivers side then eh? Once that is done does the latch that go into the hatch motor have to be aligned as well?

 

The latch may need to be adjusted...good point. Always slowly try your moving parts for fit/alignment before regular usage. Sometimes it takes a few tries to get er just right. The adjustment at the top should be ever so slight to make a relatively big difference at the bottom.

 

I'd look at your hatch as seperate parts to see where the problem is. Is the hatch trying to close centered in the body, but the latch is pulling the hatch to the side when it closes? That would most likely just be a simple latch adjustment. If the hatch opens and closes smoothly and isn't being pulled to the side when it closes, but touches the 1/4 panel, then the hatch and latch will both need adjusting. As stated above moving one hinge closer to the roof will move the rear of the hatch, as a whole, to one side or the other. But if the glass portion of the hatch lines up pretty good and the gaps are even on each side then the problem could be in the deck lid portion of the hatch. Look at the side gaps at the rear of the glass and look at the gaps at the deck lid and see if one or the other is even or if they are equally off. Also see if your deck lid sticks out the rear past the 1/4 panels on either side. It's a bit more of a hassle to loosen and align the deck lid because it is sealed to the glass but as these cars get older it's just something we have to do. And after almost any hatch adjustment you'll need to adjust the latch so it opens and closes properly.

 

the hinges do not allow for any adjustments to be made..

 

Good in from both you and 86sdubzzT/A. I will look into mine.

 

And why is that? If the others are able to do it.. why not you?

 

not sure i loosened the four hinge nuts and the hatch did not move i even tried the glass but had the same result

 

Maybe there is a step missing in the process? Hopefully someone will chime in because I need to do this myself.

 

i am giving up for the day before the glass gets broke

 

Perhaps the hinges are stuck on the glass like glue with all the dirt and grime from so many years of use. Why not try spraying some kind of degreaser in the area and let it sit? See what happens.

 

thanks i forgot about the grime i will try that

 

If you are doing the hinge adjustment at the body then there may be some old sealer in the holes that needs to be dug out before it will move.

 

Did you try giving it a twist? Theres isnt much play there in the hinge....I took my parts car which didnt line up well(not hitting) And gave it a twist. The struts are not hooked up though mind you. I would remove them before twisting. It helped alot. Hope that works or you may be removing and re installing the whole unit.

 

Good idea removing the struts.

 

How do you go about adjusting just the deck lid...I have same problem..the glass is right in line, and the deck lid on passenger side sticks out a 1/4 to 1/2 inch or so. Here is my thinking, tell me if I'm right please, open hatch and take off plastic cover on bottom side of deck lid. Loosen the bolts on the bottom. Slide hatch. Sounds simple, but what do you do about the sealant...do you remove deck lid completly, or what?? I loosened the bolts and the deck lid doesn't move....Also how tight are they supposed to be put back too, is it possible to overtighten and break glass...thanks guys..I hope this helps some of you others too....

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/hatchalign