Deck Lid Alignment

[vol96]

I've read thru all the old posts on this topic and the one solution that seems like it should work doesnt on my car (73E).

The problem is right side sits too low and too close the fender. The normal suggestion is to put shims between the lid and the right hinge. However this just pushes the hinge lower and does nothing to raise the right side of the deck lid.

My current theory is that my car is missing either:
1. Right side shock (tho there is no mounting fittings for it). Car originally had a/c condensor on lid. My thinking is that maybe a right side shock would push up on the lid and make it sit higher when closed.

or

2. Some kind of a stop for the right hinge to prevent it from lowering too much.

Any ideas?

I've adjusted the cork screw stoppers, the latch pin, latch and the hinge bolts with no success. And I do have some washers btwn right hinge and lid....but as I said they seem to have no effect.

Thanks,
Joe

[aigel]

Joe:

You should have success. Talking in terms of knobs: You turned all knobs. Question is, did you turn them in the right order? Sometimes one knob fully turned will avoid other knobs to have any effect.

A good body shop will probably charge you an hour to get this figured out for you. If you know a good body shop, just give up and have them align it for you. They know all the tricks. This stuff takes practise.

I re-aligned my lid after paint and didn't get it perfect. I think I would have needed to elongate some holes on the hinges. Sometimes it helps to think about the fact that nobody will probably ever notice. On my car nobody ever said" "Cr@p, your lid is misaligned!".

If it comes to body lines, I am a real moron. It took me the good part of a weekend to take doors off my muscle car American convertible and put them back straight, after replacing door hinges.

To summarize, don't feel bad to just give up and bring it to a good body shop. I am all for DIY, but body jobs need practise that you can not get easily on one car.

George

[K-Jetronic]

Hi,

I had the same problem, when using shims the right side didn't look good either. I use one shock on the left as well. What did the trick for me was using sims on the right top bold only and leave the bottom one without shims ( used about three!). This did it, you probably thought about this already ofcourse.

regards,

Gerko
1978sc

[Series900]

when shimming the decklid, one does not neccesarily need to shim both the fore and aft bolts, this would only raise the lid. by shimming the forward bolt, it raises the front line. The rubber buffer is the rear height adj . You may also need thick and thin washers to mix and match for correct height. Or due to age and weight from the condensor and a strong shock replacemant, the lid may need a good twist. Not for the faint of heart, but the experienced in such matters!

[vol96]

Good replies. Using different shims fore and aft has given me hope, I'l give it a try.

Also forgot to mention that the left is too high but I'm hoping that if I can raise the right it will lower the left a bit.

[vol96]

Success! Used shims (washers) on right fore bolt and left aft bolt.

It actually worked.

Also slid entire deck forward in oval bolt holes., and adjusted latch.

Aligns very nicely now.

Thanks for the help,
Joe