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I really need help to adjust my rear hatch

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Old Aug 15, 2016 | 10:20 PM
  #1  
factory89tpi's Avatar
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I really need help to adjust my rear hatch

If anybody has any ideas on what I can do please help I have been trying go get it adjusted for awhile. It is a sentimental value to this car so I am restoring it to its original style





The passenger side looks right



The left side the gap is wide



The driver side sticks out



But the deck lid is perfect on the passenger side
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Old Aug 17, 2016 | 08:04 PM
  #2  
G.Penrod's Avatar
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From: Clinton, UT
Car: 86 Iroc Z-28
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: Automatic
Re: I really need help to adjust my rear hatch

Underneath this trim piece are about 8 nuts. I loosened them up and adjusted it that way. You'll need to disconnect the struts otherwise they'll just push it out. I also loosened the bolts at the top and adjusted that a little also.

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Old Aug 21, 2016 | 12:34 AM
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Drew's Avatar
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Re: I really need help to adjust my rear hatch

Generally you dont want to remove the decklid bolts. The hatch glass is sandwiched between the decklid and a steel plate, and it's sealed to keep the hatch from leaking. Unless you have an inch/lb torque wrench you risk shattering the hatch glass.

The proper way to adjust the hatch is to remove the plastic trim at the rear of the headliner, and loosen the nuts that retain the the hatch hinges to the body. Then you can adjust the hatch to the proper position and tighten the nuts.
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Old Aug 21, 2016 | 07:55 AM
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Re: I really need help to adjust my rear hatch

I agree with Drew.

If you can avoid loosening the deck lid for now, then do just that (avoid it).

If you work at the hinge end, remove the interior plastic trim and work with those bolts (attached to the body roof). There is some adjustment there.

Also try to avoid loosening the hinge bolts at the glass side of hinge. I did last month and did not find any useful amount of adjustability at that attachment point. And you risk under/overtightening them onto the glass.

Adjusting the glass is a real hairy experience, IMO, especially if doing alone. And it does not move easily. At best I moved my glass a bit left to keep it from rubbing on the right fender, but had little luck moving it fore and aft.

Your success may be better.
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Old Aug 21, 2016 | 10:08 AM
  #5  
fireball451's Avatar
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From: Gray, TN
Car: 91 Z28, 91 Z28, 92 Z28
Engine: LB9, LB9, L98
Transmission: T5, T5, 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3:42, 3:42, 3:23
Re: I really need help to adjust my rear hatch

Panels usually weren't in the best alignment on these cars new.... I have had and seen some new that the deck lid was too far back...
Usually, this mis alignment is caused by hinges that bend and deform over time. Look at where the hinge bolts to the glass, it should be flat and flush. There is no adjustment where the hinge bolts to the body. Good used unbent hinges are hard to come by. Hawks makes new billet hinges but they aren't cheap....
http://www.hawksmotorsports.com/82-9...h-hinges-pair/

There is a tech article on adjusting the lower panel:
https://www.thirdgen.org/hatchalign/

This is a bit risky though. New hinges have cured the mis alignment on most all my third gens I have owned.
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