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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Posts: 293
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Rear Hatch is stuck closed
I just picked up an '86 951. This is my first 944 after several 911's 914's and Boxsters. This car sat for about 3 years. I was able to get the left side of the rear hatch to release but the right side is being stubborn. I removed the cap on the inside that is held on with 100mm nuts but there seems to be another fastner holding on the latching mechanism. Does anybody have any advice as to how to remove this or possibly free up the left side?
Thanks, Chad |
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08-19-2013, 05:44 AM
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944 addict
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Use your key or have someone push the button in the drivers footwell while you push down on that side. It should release. Then spray lube the crab claw mechanism in each capture assembly and exercise them a few times. It should loosen things up. It could also be that the tapered pin on the hatch is a bit too short and should be lengthened about 1/2 turn.
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3 944's, 2 Boxsters and one Caman S, and now one 951 turbo. Really miss the Cayman. Some people try to turn back their "odometers." Not me. I want people to know 'why' I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved. |
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08-19-2013, 06:06 AM
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Registered
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You may have to crawl in the back area and pull the carpet aside and move the latch lever by hand.
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08-19-2013, 02:12 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 359
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Have you had someone lift from the rear while your cycle the switch? My car used to open fine, then I reinstalled the rear wiper motor. The hatch was now too heavy to self release form the power switch. In theory, if the hatch struts are good, they have enough resistance to pop the hatch when the switch is cycled. My struts are a bit tied so I need to replace them.
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08-19-2013, 04:00 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Posts: 293
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I loosened the locking mechanism and I was finally able to get the pin to free up. It was gummed up pretty bad. Cleaned it up and so far so good. The PO had just installed new air shocks for the hatch. They still have the stickers on them. It's all about the small victories. LOL
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08-22-2013, 04:25 AM
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944 addict
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Good for you. I was hoping you didn't have to resort to explosives
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3 944's, 2 Boxsters and one Caman S, and now one 951 turbo. Really miss the Cayman. Some people try to turn back their "odometers." Not me. I want people to know 'why' I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved. |
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08-22-2013, 09:58 AM
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Frankly my dear....
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+1...or mechanical assistance....
 
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Porsche - accept no substitute Blue 1999 Boxster - Brief encounter! Black 1988 944S - Ongoing project Black 1987 944S - Gone but not forgotten Metallic Black 1980 924 - Those were the days.... Red 1979 924 - Hmm Minerva blue 1979 924 - Where it all began! |
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08-22-2013, 10:46 AM
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Engineer of profanity
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Make sure the car is on level ground when you try to open the hatch. I've noticed with many of my 944s that body stress to one side of the car will cause the rear hatch to become jammed. So try it on flat and level ground.
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1970 Porsche 911T Black 1990 Porsche 944 S2 Red on cashmere 1984 Porsche 928S Euro ROW GP white on black |
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08-22-2013, 08:19 PM
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Back from Beyond
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,697
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Good point above. You may also want to consider putting a set of tired struts in, or none at all. That glass is doing its best to get out of the frame already, and new struts just help it along...
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08-22-2013, 10:58 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Posts: 293
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Great advice. I live in Houston. Every square inch is flat. LOL
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08-23-2013, 03:58 AM
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Registered User
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I've had my share of hatch problems, and I believe the best Ive come across is a custom mod. Find some springs from fastenal and cut them to size. I added heat shrink tubing around the spring to keep it centered and make it look real clean. This will help pop your trunk up if you have tired old hatch struts that won't lift the trunk anymore. Check it out!
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08-23-2013, 06:35 AM
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Back from Beyond
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,697
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^ Looks like the rubber broke....
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08-23-2013, 10:44 PM
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Registered User
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If you're referring to the rubber heat shrink around the hatch pin, it still hasn't broken after several months. There's no problems with it so far :b
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08-23-2013, 11:08 PM
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Porsche 944 NA
1986 Porsche 951
1987 Porsche 944
