My hatch seems like it is sitting about 1/2 inch back too far, I loosened all the bolts towards the top of the hatch and nothing happened... Has anyone adjusted this that can give some advice??
Thanks
Dennis

 

From what I've read on here,and looking at my '83,if the rear panel is out of alignment with the tail panel or fenders then you can adjust it.You have to remove the trim panel attached to the underside of the hatch,then there's an adhesive/sealant between the glass and the metal panel.Separate the two and clean this,may have to do a search to see what to use to replace this - may just be black RTV,then align the hatch panel - mark the bolt holes,apply the sealant then bolt it back together.
As far as I can tell there's not much adjustment,if any,on the actual hinge area where the hatch is attached.On this I'm unsure.hopefully someone that's done this will give more direction.
I'm still learning so I hope this helps.

 

Thanks for that advise, I was wondering this myself.

 

mine needs to be adjusted too.

 

You should'nt have to remove/seperate the decklid.You will have to disconnect your struts first(or they will just push back on the decklid)from the opposite end so they dont stick out past the seal.Loosen the nuts that hold the decklid to the glass.Close the hatch push the decklid in place.Slowly lift the hatch just enough to reach under & tighten the nuts enough to hold the decklid in place.Re-check your adjustment.If correct re-connect the struts & you should be done.

 

The problem with the top end of the hatch is that GM allowed only the OUTER holes (the ones on the outboard end of each hinge) for adjustment of the glass. If one were to remove the hatch and grind the inner holes to a similar shape of the outer ones, then the whole hatch can be slid towards the front, without removing any sealants or grinding on the glass panel itself.

If I can find time and some decent batteries, I can get a pic of this later...

 

I have to chime in and add if you need to adjust this part you might as well replace the weatherstrip, my 82 was leaking from there and I think it would be a good idea

 

so you are saying that the part that attaches to the glass (the part with the spoiler) needs adjustment? Not the top part where the whole hatch attaches to the body? What about glass breakage???

You should'nt have to remove/seperate the decklid.You will have to disconnect your struts first(or they will just push back on the decklid)from the opposite end so they dont stick out past the seal.Loosen the nuts that hold the decklid to the glass.Close the hatch push the decklid in place.Slowly lift the hatch just enough to reach under & tighten the nuts enough to hold the decklid in place.Re-check your adjustment.If correct re-connect the struts & you should be done.



You are referring to where the hatch bolts to the body right? If so, pics please!!!!!!!!!

 

New there was a tech article on this, just found the link, might help:


https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/t...tchalign.shtml

 

Yes,The decklid attaches to the glass with studs/nuts.A sealant is used to keep the water,etc out.If you remove the plastic trim piece on the inside of the decklid you will see about 8 or so 10mm nuts.If you loosen those nuts you can move the decklid around some.Depending on how much your decklid is off.This may be all you need to do.I was able to align mine this way,but my glass hatch was not in need of adjustment.So i didnt need to mess with the glass hinges.If you can see your glass hatch is misaligned.Then you may have to adjust both if needed.As for glass breaking.You want to be carefull you dont bend or twist the hatch/decklid.Which can get very heavy once you disconnect the struts.I used a box to support the hatch once the stuts were disconnected.Also i remember there was a small screw at the end of the metal frame that goes around the edge of the glass.The screw goes into the decklid & it had to be removed to allow movement.

 

ah, ic ic. Did you have to do anything to the sealer/sealant after you adjusted it? Like apply more? Or will it still be good even after I adjust the hatch?

 

Mine sealnt was fine afterwards.If you dont seperate the decklid from the glass you should be O.K.However i would check afterwards by pouring some water around the seal to check for leaks.

 

well i stumbled onto this topic yesterday and read the posts. i then realized it was time for me to fix my rear hatch also..i did it all by myself with the help of a long 4 by 4 about 2-3feet long to hold the hatch up while i was taking it apart.i even stripped all the sealant of,cleaned the rear window and applied new sealant then re installed everything i took apart.now the car looks so much better with the rear hatch lining up like it should.thanks for the posts guys otherwise it would still be where it originally was lol