Rear latch won't "hold" hatch
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 55
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From: St Louis, MO SMSA
Car: '92 Z/28
Engine: 355 HSR, Hooker LTs, Dynomax X
Transmission: 700R4
Rear latch won't "hold" hatch
I searched the forums and couldn't find anyone with the same problem.
Normally you push down on the rear hatch until the latch "grabs" it, holds it, and pulls it down. If I try that with my 1986 IROC the hatch won't be held.
The motor goes down just fine, but the metal loop in the rear hatch isn't getting held onto as the motor pulls down the latch.
If I put all my weight on it and "ride it down" then sometimes that works.
Any ideas?
Normally you push down on the rear hatch until the latch "grabs" it, holds it, and pulls it down. If I try that with my 1986 IROC the hatch won't be held.
The motor goes down just fine, but the metal loop in the rear hatch isn't getting held onto as the motor pulls down the latch.
If I put all my weight on it and "ride it down" then sometimes that works.
Any ideas?
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iTrader: (1)
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,964
Likes: 4
From: Norfolk, VA. USA
Car: 86 Trans Am, 88 Formula
Engine: 95LT4, 305TPI
Transmission: T56, T5
Re: Rear latch won't "hold" hatch
motor housing may be cracked or the guides are really bad.
Is there a lot of play with the latch? Grab it and see if it moves around a lot, or if it can move down easily.
Is there a lot of play with the latch? Grab it and see if it moves around a lot, or if it can move down easily.
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 5,964
Likes: 37
From: Hacienda Heights, CA
Car: 90 RS 'Vert, 88 IROC-Z, 88 Firebird
Engine: 305 ci tbi, 305 ci tpi, 350 ci tpi
Transmission: WC-T5, WC-T5, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.45, 3.27, 3.27
Re: Rear latch won't "hold" hatch
Other things that come to mind. If the latch spring is broken then the latch wouldn't properly close on the hatchhook. Also if the alignment of the hatch is off, either the hatch too far back (common problem from the hatch being pushed to the rear by the pneumatic struts) or misaligned to one side or the other. Lower the hatch and check that the hook is centered on the latch. Bad guides could be the cause as was already mentioned.
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