I spent the last three years restoring an '85 Firebird. I'm entering into my first show this Saturday. I did all the work myself except body and paint. I was installing the carpet in the harch area when one (or both) of the struts broke, sending the hatch down on my back! Bruised and after a few obscene words, I ordered new hatch struts. I installed them yesterday and now the hatch won't close. It appears as if the hatch itself shifted about 1 inch backwards. I removed the new struts and put the old ones back in, but the hatch is now shifted back! Obviously it won't close. Is there any way to adjust this? If anyone can help (and explain it to me like a 3 years old I'd be grateful.

 

the 4 bolts that hold it to the body. start with them to adjust the hatch. you can also move the latch behind the rear plastic.

 

If you can't adjust it enough like 7thdarkangel said, or if the gap at the top between the glass and the body looks good, then you're going to have to remove the rear metal part from the glass and move it forward. The glue lets loose over time and it shifts back. The new stiffer struts might have pushed it back if it was already loose.

There's a tech article on how to do the adjustment - https://www.thirdgen.org/hatchalign

 

Thanks so much! I'll check the bolts first and hopefully that'll help as I'm not sure I really understand the thread posted, but may make more sense when i pull it apart. It's really shifted quite a bit back, the weatherstrip won't even come close to letting it close. I'd say it's off by at least an inch, maybe more. Thanks for the replies, I'll let you know how I make out.

 

Are you talking about the four bolts that go through the window and attach to the hinge? They are the only bolts I can see. I'll try to figue out how to post a pic here.

 

the bolts that go through the body. you will will see them if you take the plastic off right in front of the rear window.

 

I think he means the four bolts on the other end of the hinges that attach to the body. You have to remove that rear plastic panel at the back end of the headliner to access them

 

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There are 8 bolts that can be adjusted at the top start with the 4 hinge to body bolts you have to remove the rear trim peace to access them and these are made for on car alignment of the glass. The other 4 bolt are the hinge to the glass bolts and there can be adjustments made here but i wouldn't recommended it unless you determined you ran out of adjustment at the hinge to body or in some cases they are the problem and this is what could have caused the misalignment of your glass i have seen this a few times since it doesn't take much to move them they also have a specific torque just my rule of thumb anything that bolts or attaches to the glass i go 2 to 4 ft-lbs less then spec or around hand tight till i few its about tight with out putting to much pressure on the glass.

 

Thanks a ton everyone! You guys are great. Now I got it, (told you I was like 3 year old sometimes ) I'm going to try it now. I never thought changing a few simple struts would cause all this grief . Thanks God you guys are here to bail me out! I really appreciate it!