I want to say thanks to LSXMATT for the 15% off promo code for Hawk's billet aluminum rear hatch hinges and hardware.
I received mine very quickly and they are nice...

 

Yeah they did look very nice in his video. The factory hinges he took out of his two cars were roached. I can't believe his hatch still opened and closed with those bent up hinges.

 

Somewhat off topic, but I remember reading people having issues with these causing the hatch glass to shatter. Some argued that the bolts were getting torqued too tight, others that the billet has no flex and put more tension on the glass unlike the factory pieces which flexed a bit. Was that ever resolved? Or was it like the aftermarket idler arm thing where there wasn’t really a problem to begin with, just user error?

 

I can't speak from experience since I have not installed them yet (I have other priorities right now), but I have a strong suspicion that the glass breakage was caused by over-torquing the nuts. You basically need to turn them until they stop and NO further.
Since Matt has done the hinge swap on two cars, let's wait a bit to see if he has any problems...

 

Wearing one of his Trans Am shirts right now!

I know he used to be active on the forum, bit of a shame he doesn't stop by anymore.

 

Makes sense! Not gonna replace mine for a while anyway.

 

I think this was the MAIN thread regarding that. It looked like maybe the stock hinges had more of a curve or something.. never fully resolved though


Chronic Hatch Glass Breakage - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

 

Yeah that’s the exact one I was thinking of. There’s just too much in that thread for me to want to purchase a set. Yeah I know a lot could be user error but I’m a bit dumb and that’s enough to put me off. Wish someone would start reproducing non-billet OEM style replacements.

 

SUPPOSEDLEY the OP followed install instructions to the T.

But i think he used the factory install specs... its a long read but if I recall, I think the specs HAWKs uses is like half the OE specs??? ... I would imagine that they would included nstructions with the pieces though... the other speculation was that they dont have a curve and the OE units have a curve etc etc the cut outs in the hinges are important etc. etc.... the aluminum heat up etc...

 

Well, I probably won't get around to installing them until next Spring or Summer, so if Matt's hatches break between now & then, I won't put mine on...

 

Just curious but did they come with instructions?

 

the hawks instructions are on the product page:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kOg...ew?usp=sharing

 

Wow, I did see that thread a few years ago but did not read all of it. Now I'm wondering if I should have "buyers remorse"...

 

it is concerning but I'm wondering if the OP didn't use the Hawks specs (i haven't read it in a while)

 

Is there an actual difference between the Hawks ones and the $65 eBay/Amazon ones or are they the same?

 

I don't know, but if they are, then Hawk's is charging way too much...

 

Someone here i believe made a video of the as they called it "hawks rip off" hinges. and mentions the glass breaking issue.

 

Thanks for posting that video...