Rear hatch release question
 

When I pull up the rear hatch switches on my 1985 928S US, the motor whines, but the hatch does not pop open.

I was thinking about replacing the receiver insert.

Porsche 928 rear hatch receiver cushion stopper insert | eBay

Has anyone ever done this?
Did it fix the problem?

How is the condition of yours? Most replace them if there's in non-existent or crumbling. Yours could just be an adjustment. Pics tell a 1,000 words BTW.

Mine did the same, even after replacing the insert. This is one of the most frustrating things to try and adjust. Try this ( not my instructions, I found these many years ago)

Repair Electric Release - The electric release is not hard to repair, but unless things are checked in the proper order it is easy to get caught in an endless loop. There are a lot of rumors on a fix even using pennies but few work. The design on the lock is such that it wears over time and relieves the tension that is necessary to spring the hatch open. There are several things to watch for here.

Shims - Before starting any repairs check both the bottom and top latch for any shims that may have been installed in previous attempts to make repairs. Remove all shims that are not factory installed.

Motor Operation - Open the hatch and activate the automatic release. Look inside the lower latch to make sure that the metal latch operates with the motor.

Spring - The motor on the latch cycles from open and back to close is a short period of time. The spring in the middle section of the latch pushes up on the hatch and forces it open during the cycling of the latch. Check to make sure the spring has tension and is not broken. The spring is located under the round center plastic piece in the lower latch.

Worn Catch - Inspect the plastic moving catch in the upper latch. This part is meant to wear over time saving other expensive parts of the latch. If it is worn it will have to be replaced before things will work reliably.

Latch Release - Remove the upper latch from the hatch. Push it down into the lower latch. Operate the motor to verify that the latch pops out when when the motor cycles. If this does not then the bottom latch is not releasing enough to to clear the top catch. The design of the latch is for the upper catch to operate with the key and the lower catch to operate with the motor. The lower catch operates on an arm in the bottom of the latch. The arm can become disconnected or the bushing in the arm can wear causing the lower catch to be restricted in its travel.

Alignment - If the latch releases when not attached to the hatch then the automatic release is working correctly and the problem is in the alignment of the hatch. If the upper latch binds in the lower latch then the spring will not be strong enough to push up on the hatch during the open cycle and the hatch will remain locked.

good luck
Neil

...or just use the damn key like us OBers ;)

I bought the item in the OP's link.

HUGE improvement for few $$, highly recommendable :)

Yes, I am sure it was but will it resolve the OP's issue?

No, not without making adjustments - it just made mine worse when i installed it :-)

I had the same symptoms as the OP, and it resolved mine so why not?

I had the same problem with all 3 of my 928s. After installing the new urethane molded insert guide. there is "slip-stick on the side surfaces tha overcomes the spring release pressure. Alignment left-to-right is criical. loosen both the upper and lower latch parts ( just a partial turn) and slowly close the hatch. open manually and CAREFULLY tighten to maintain any alignment change. Then an important coat the side surfaces with a clear or white viscous grease and you will be in business.

ordered the new piece
old one was very brittle, pulled right out and new one slipped in without any screw removal.

I felt like it worked the first time, but not after that
I am trying lubing everything up.
Feels like I am not getting the "pop" needed

going to try the side to side alignment, and white grease as opposed to WD40

WD40 is NOT a good choice for most lubrication needs. Attracts dirt on anything open, in fact one "good" use is to spray a bit on a dusting rag, for the K&N effect.

White lithium sounds fine.

broke outter door handle- project delayed

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1310132402.jpg

Been there, done that. It's a lot easier to work in there if you remove the glass. It's really easy to do too, just make sure you have a good grip on it when you remove the small bolts (10mm ?). I actually had my glass tinted too while it was out.

...or you can find some unusually teeny handed person to help work on it. This job is a nightmare with the glass in.