hatch not locking?

geezfoolsgeezfools Wagonist
in Bodywork & Cosmetic Modifications
Anyone had issues with their hatch not locking? It's always been a little tough and would take a bit of a slam to lock it at times, but now it won't lock at all. Slam it as hard as I want and I get nothing. So I've been driving around for the past day with it banging around, lol. Just wondering if there was anything common or obvious out there or if I just swap it out with the one from my parts car.

Comments

  • FakeJDMEF8FakeJDMEF8 Senior Wagonist
    swap it with one that works. the last time i did this, i put the assembly in simply green, soaked, then cleaned with a toothbrush, then soaked again with simple green......repeat: then blasted with boiling water. dry with compressor, relube, n install.... it's been good for two years:)
  • grey mattagrey matta Band Wagon
    Try moving the hook on the hatch it self a buddy and i just moved his and worked wonders closes everytime no effort at all we did this because we replaced latch and it still wouldn't close. So id try the hool on the hatch itself theres plenty of adjustment there
  • pelon921pelon921 New Wagonist
    Have you tried to adjust the little black rubber knobs. Tighten them in and see if that helps. I did that and it fixed mine.
  • geezfoolsgeezfools Wagonist
    I think the problem with this is I loaded something kinda heavy in and it may have dented the black plastic that goes over the hook in the locking mech. So now when the hatch comes down, there is dent in that plastic and it doesn't get pushed down far enough to engage. So I either need to replace or build up that plastic piece somehow.
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    The Bic trick: Use a section of a ballpoint pen on the striker. The problem is that the black plastic cladding on the latch jaws breaks or wears away. The result is that the striker (loop on the hatch) cant push the latch jaw far enough to get it over-center to the lock position.
    By increasing the diameter of the striker, you can compensate for the missing plastic on the jaw.

    Find a Bic Clic pen. Its diameter and softness is just right. Dismantle the pen and use a razor knife to cut a section of the barrel to fit the contact-side leg of the striker loop. Slit the plastic shim you've made lengthwise and slip it onto the striker.

    Close the hatch and enjoy.

    I can't take credit for the idea, B18C5-EH2 posted it years ago. Eventually the plastic will wear or break off, just do it again!
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