Hey guys...okay so a few weeks back I went onto Camaro Central and spent an *** ton of money on a complete rear hatch motor and guide assembly that had been rebuilt and tested "good"...okay moving forward I replaced the wiring harness and relay and the hatch works good from what I can tell...my probably is this...and I want to make sure I'm honest as well so you guys can give me a clear diagnosis.


So first of all, when I release the rear hatch switch from INSIDE the car, the motor basically from what I feel pushes the hatch up...and then it seems to release it at the end of the cycle. However I have tried to pick up on it during the cycle and it does not seem to let me? This could just be me not picking up hard enough bc the shocks are bad...not sure??? When I pick up the hatch at the end of the cycle the hatch stays up just fine...however one time I guess some how when I pressed the hatch switch it cycled the hatch motor BACK down after it had risen up...so as you can imagine I didn't know what the issue was...so I gave it a few good slams...I guess they were hard (now feel like a moron bc ur not suppose to slam those!). Anyways I put my pinky in the middle of the hatch switch back there, it cycled back up, and I shut the hatch, and then said to myself, you idiot.


Question...when you POP the switch from inside the car is the hatch suppose to un release its self and by itself and go into the air? Also do you guys feel with what I have said it will do as advertised...I seem to read online that sometimes the hatches will NOT release from the lock for w/e reason...things are bent etc.


The car is an 87...body wise its been taking care off...70K on it, and I believe that minus my several slamming attempts no other morons or idiots such as my self has abused it. I already bought the struts from RicksCamaro...the RIGHT ones, bc I see you can buy the wrong ones. Just want input on what you guys think I will either be happy when I replace the struts in a few days...or figure out that something else is going on.

 

it sounds like your struts are bad. the motor doesn't push up, it just just goes back up to pull the hatch back down. if its hot enough and I pop the hatch, it will go up by itself. when its cold out, not so much. does the hatch fall down when its up or is it held up firmly by the struts?

 

It's held up firmly once I push it into the up position

 

Once released, it should go straight in the air. Unless its a GTA with 2000lb Aero Wing on it!!

 

Hey thanks! Okay great...I went onto Ricks Camaro, and I had heard that they make different struts for weather you have or do not have a spoiler, or back wiper and that can make a difference too...so I bought the ones labeled as With spoiler or with wiper...maybe there sensitive to being "just right" so its not too much force but still enough.

 

You definitely don't want too strong of struts. I bought some last year for my 82 and I ordered with rear spoiler only. However, I'm pretty sure that what was actually in the package was with rear spoiler, rear wiper and person sitting on it. The ones I have are down right terrifying. If I don't grab it, it will raise the hatch so fast it jolts it hard like it wants to break the glass. It takes quite a bit of strength for me to hold onto it to let it go up easy. Once I put the rear louvers on my 89, those struts are going on that car and the "just right" ones are going on the 82!

 

Yeah, hey man where did you get those from...I think I paid pretty top dollar for mine at Ricks Camaro...them and Camaro Central seem to be pricy...but good stuff...just curious was all, bc if there the ones from Ricks Camaro I'm scared!!! lol, mine come in this weekend

 

They came from Rock Auto if I recall and are Strong Arm brand.

 

O yeah...well man I have ordered LOTS from Rock auto...but you know...and I mean absolutely no disrespect by this....but I thought about ordering thru them...but I dont know...like something tells me that for certain little unique things like what were talking about with the struts there not the greatest to order from for w/e reason. I feel while our cars our simple...in some cases like this you have different options that are kinda unique and maybe not as expected or common on cars now a days? I feel like RockAuto is really good if you want ball joints and shocks for a 2004 ford explorer (shhhh I'v had it 10 years)...but unfortunately I feel a little more secure ordering from the blood sucking and expensive as **** when shipping ricks and camaro central haha. I mean 18 bucks every time you order anything! Jesus!