Rear hatch

[drbill]

I've been reading the archives about repairing the hatches on these beasts, but I'm not quite clear on the design or the repair or if I even need to do it yet.
Here is an overview of how I see it.... tell me where I'm wrong

1. Design: The glass is bonded directly to an aluminum frame and to get the adhesive to stick to the glass, some sort of paint is put on the glass. The trim around the edge of the glass is held in place with some sort of seal and this trim is not structural, but is there for aesthetics. Correct?

2. Leaks usually occur at the front (hinged) edge where the frame is glued to the glass. The repair involves re-gluing the glass to the frame. Correct or not?

3. On my car, there is a tiny leak on the right side where the frame is glued to the glass. It only lets a couple of drops of water trickle in which run down the inside of the glass. I assume this will only get worse with time. It looks like a couple of squirts of silicone on the inside right where the glass/frame meet would keep the water out.... is this wishful thinking??

4. If the above in #3 will not work, how successful is the procedure to re-glue the glass to the frame? Is it better to source a replacement hatch?

Thanks,
Bill

[rwjackson]

i would go with a replacement hatch for 200

[bud9344]

Where can I find a replacement hatch for 200 ?

[ballysdad]

www.clarks-garage.com has a write up on hatch glass seal repair. It will take 2 people to remove the glass and reinstall. The job is tedious and time consuming but can be done.
Rear glass failure can be cause when you get new hatch struts as well. The new struts are stiff and the design is mediocore at best.

[fbgh2o]

I went with the flowable silicone from Permatex option and it has held for a couple of years. I am resigned to the fact that I will have to replace the hatch at some point though.