How do I replace the hatch seal?

gixer02 · 01-27-2002, 05:54 PM

That constant creaking is driving me crazy... I figured out it was the seal (thanks eturbo) but now how do I replace the seal? And I guess I should order it from Pelican or can you buy maybe a certain lenght of a generic seal and cut it?

Oh and eturbo I tried driving with the padding closed in the hatch... Can you say exaust- you were right, that gets old fast

thanks

Pat

Moneyguy1 · 01-27-2002, 06:34 PM

Of all places..J. C. Whitney carries a type of rubber gasket that is nearly the same as the original. Look in their catalog and compare the cross section sketch.

Bob S.

ae1969 · 01-27-2002, 06:44 PM

My hatch was squeeking a long time ago.... I turned the posts for the latches a few notches......and it is now super tight...... I have done this adjustment every couple of years.....

............I really had to tightened them after I installed a couple of subs back there .........it was shaking the whole hatch apart (and rear wiper included!)...........turned the posts until it was air tight

I now don't have a squeek and its still the original seal.

gixer02 · 01-27-2002, 08:49 PM

hey ae1969... It's dark outside now- when I look at the posts tomorrow (aka shocks/struts/pistons?) what do I have to tighten... I've had the car less than a year and haven't touched them yet... thanks

and Moneyguy thanks I didn't even think of J.C.- I'll order a new one either way

thanks guys

Pat

Eturbo924 · 01-28-2002, 03:54 AM

If it is the original seal you are risking a leak at the top that could wreck your rear speakers.

Pat definately try to tighten the posts. You loosen the nut that is at the base of the post and use a screw driver to turn the post clockwise... thus tighten it. If it does not move with a considerable amount of force.... you will need to decide if you want new ones or not. Normally with a new seal the orginal factory settings on the posts will be fine. OR you can order new posts at the same time as the new seal for the best results. Another note... be careful when trying to remove the screws that hold the post assembly into the frame. This is if you plan to replace them. The screws can frequently freeze to the fame and many have stripped them.... leaving few alternatives but drilling them out.

Good luck and always glad to help.

Eric

gixer02 · 01-28-2002, 01:28 PM

I looked at the posts and where they connect to the hatch and where they connect to the car frame there is only ball and socket type joints (one at each end) but no nut or anything to loosen... by post you mean piston/strut that holds up the hatch when open right?- what am I missing?

Pat

Eturbo924 · 01-29-2002, 04:00 AM

Pat
My 924 and 944 both have more of a pointed end on the shafts. Not a ball, looks more like an arrow. At the top of that... farthest from the end of the shaft that goes into the connection in car there should be a nut that you can loosen. If this is not there.... I am not sure what the deal is with your car. Normally you loosen this nut and screw the shaft a bit into the frame. If this is not there the shaft is free to vibrate loose.

Try to rotate the shaft and see if you can screw it in or take it out. If you can take it out. Find a nut that will screw on. Then you can put the shaft back in and set the height.

Oh before you take it out. Measure or mark the height it is at now. You will then know where you were so you can make the setting a bit tighter on the next round. Remember do not force it or it will break. If it will not go with a reasonable amount of force.... just go and purchase new ones.

Do you have any other 924, 944 owners around your location so that you might inspect their latch posts to see if yours are some inomoly (sp?)

Firestarter_944 · 01-29-2002, 05:39 AM

Nope, not where the strut is, along the back edge of the hatch. Looking at the body, with the hatch raised, you will see three cut-outs. The center cut out and latch is just above the lock cylinder. The right and left lock down the hatch pins. They are actually attached to the hatch though.

Firestarter

Eturbo924 · 01-29-2002, 05:44 AM

Oh see your confusion here Pat.
You are looking at the struts and not the posts that latch into the rear body as Firestarter notes.

There should be two posts on the hatch visible when open that push into two holes in the body of the car at the absolute back of the trunk area on the lip.

Eric

gixer02 · 01-29-2002, 12:37 PM

The plastic socket on the end of the piston that holds up the hatch. It's the one on the glass end of the hatch and it jsut screw right off. If anyone has taken the pistons out of thier track car or has a spare piston that they could take that part off of that would be great... Let me know.

Thanks
Pat

ae1969 · 01-29-2002, 01:10 PM

LOLOLOLOLO .........this post is turning out pretty funny.........or frustrating depending how u look at it..!!!

On the picture ....the post we are talking about goes into the hole in the bottom right of the picture.....

just above the tailights.... on the rear of the car.....

the posts are underneath the tail.... attached to the hatch...the posts that go in the hole...can be adjusted.

good luck

gixer02 · 01-29-2002, 02:45 PM

ae... yea I figured it out. Posts were rusted but got them eventually

prob solved. But now the part on the piston is broken

I described it above... anyone have a spare?

Pat