Rewinding Rear Hatch Cover is Pain

[schmedes1]

I have a 1989 944 with a solid rear seat back and hatch cover. Went through lots of pain to get the end units for the broken hatch cover connection ends (the ones that get old and brittle -- plus you have to go through the whole rewind procedure). Problem is that now that I have installed (aluminum rivet) the end units, the SPRING released and have no tension on the cover. Is there a slick way to retension the spring or do I need to remove the rivets and start all over again

[Ky914Newbie]

I believe you will need to start over again. Sorry.

[cheapmods]

How do you re-wind the spring???

[Grandad#3]

You can make a tool for the spring by using a wooden dawl rod. Cut a groove in one end to slipover the bent spring end and turn.

Cheers,
Larry

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by Grandad#3

You can make a tool for the spring by using a wooden dawl rod. Cut a groove in one end to slipover the bent spring end and turn.

Cheers,
Larry

Use a fork to wind up spring. Drill out the rivets and replace them will small button head screws

[gacook]

I cut mine out. Really have no purpose for the cover, wouldn't wind up, so I took a knife and now it'll never be an issue again

[schmedes1]

Originally Posted by jcommin

Use a fork to wind up spring. Drill out the rivets and replace them will small button head screws

Hi jcommin: Good idea about using the fork to rewind, but unless you had better luck than me, it was not feasible to use screws because the cover ends/assembly was designed to fit flush against the back of the seat... the screw heads throw off the fit and decided to just use the rivets.

[schmedes1]

Originally Posted by gacook

I cut mine out. Really have no purpose for the cover, wouldn't wind up, so I took a knife and now it'll never be an issue again

Hi gacook: not sure if you are saying you removed the cover completely, and what the heck did you need a knife for unless you just cut off the fabric all neanderthal style I am keeping my car 100% original and hope to show this year or next once I replace a couple of front end body panels.

[schmedes1]

Originally Posted by Grandad#3

You can make a tool for the spring by using a wooden dawl rod. Cut a groove in one end to slipover the bent spring end and turn.

Cheers,
Larry

Appreciate you Larry!

[gacook]

Yup, I went neanderthal style on it. Plan on replacing it in the future with a working roller (maybe), or just completely deleting it once I recover the seats. My car's a "project," so there's much work to be done still. Carpet/seats will probably be the last leg of the journey.

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by schmedes1

Hi jcommin: Good idea about using the fork to rewind, but unless you had better luck than me, it was not feasible to use screws because the cover ends/assembly was designed to fit flush against the back of the seat... the screw heads throw off the fit and decided to just use the rivets.

I made my end caps out of metal and I either used flat head or button head cap metric screws. Car is covered up right now but If I get a chance I will post photos.