Trunk adjustment?

[3D914]

I was wondering if there are any tips/tricks to adjusting how the rear trunk lid fits when closed. It appears 1/8in too low on the right side, & at least that much too high on the left side (as seen form the engine bay). I can even see a gap between the rubber trunk seal & the lid.

I also notice the lid has a slight overhang on the left side (just above the tail light) relative to the mating edge of the fender.

I have scanned all the fasteners/mechanism and don't recognize any adjustable features.
Any ideas on how this can be adjusted? Can't find a thing in the books!

Many thanks,

Gerard
'74 914 2.0

[efeinsmith]

Before you go crazy trying to adjust the trunk, make sure that the spot welds on the hinge mount brackets (the part that mounts to the car body) have not broken loose. If the small roller begins to bind, the load from the torsion rods for the trunk will cause those welds to rip out. The only adjustment for the rear trunk lid are the mount bolts where the lid attaches to the hinge.

[mejulihn]

Sounds like the dreaded failing spot weld as described above. Inspect the mounting brackets for the rear trunk inside the engine bay and you will probably find one or both have started to tear/deform. The cure is to weld a new mounting boss in place and replace the nylon rollers on each side with metal ones from PP.

[Rich Hilgersom]

FWIW.
- Check the pivot bolts to the car. They may be worn
- Your decklid may be tweeked. Check the gaps underneath the decklid and the cross members to see if the gaps are equal.
- You have not installed the gas struts yet ;-)

-Rich

[3D914]

Thanks for the info. I'll have some time over the holiday weekend to get to the bottom of this.

Rich, what's this about gas struts? I'm not aware that any 914's used gas struts for the front/rear trunk lids.

5/28
Well I inspected the hinges closer and found two problems: 1)The forward portion of the left bracket was broken. 2)The mounting bolt to this same bracket was broken also.

Its obvious to me now how the torsion rod was forcing that side of the trunk up. Now I have to find a portable welder - or wait until I get the engine back in.

Any idea where I can get new/replacement brackets to weld on? I might as well do both.

Many thanks for the help,

Gerard

[This message has been edited by 3D914 (edited 05-28-2001).]

[This message has been edited by 3D914 (edited 05-28-2001).]