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Shimming hinges/hatchback alignment? |
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phast1
AMC Addicted Joined: Feb/07/2008 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 716 |
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Posted: Jan/14/2018 at 7:49pm |
Since I've had the hornet I noticed the hatchback alignment was off, with the passenger side sitting maybe 3/16" to 1/4" higher than the rear fender when closed. I've recently replaced the weather stripping as the old stuff was barely holding itself together. I took time installing the weather stripping, cleaning out the channel and making sure it was fully seated with raised portion facing inward like the original was.
When I first tried to shut it, it was tight enough that I needed to adjust the striker just to have it close. It's compressed a bit since, but the height gap that was originally there on the passenger side is now massive, maybe 1/2". The driver side is also up a good 1/4". I noticed the section of weather stripping closest to the roof next the hinges was being compressed a lot more than anything near the rear, so I'm wondering what would be the best way to fix this. I think the weather stripping that's there will be able to compress more over time, but I'm also thinking that the gap is large enough that it's going to take more than just adjusting the striker down over time. Anyone have any experience/advice in regard to this? Connor
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1972 Javelin
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tyrodtom
AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/14/2007 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 6214 |
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Do you mean the hatch is above the right rear qtr. panel for it's entire length ?
Or just at a certain area ? It's best to adjust by adjusting the hinges, and just use the striker to hold it closed. Sometimes the hatch is warped, the flange that the weatherstrip clamps to is too high, lots of possibilities, lots of fixes. Hard to advise without pictures.
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66 American SW, 66 American 2dr, 82 J10, 70 Hornet, Pound, Va.
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phast1
AMC Addicted Joined: Feb/07/2008 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 716 |
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Yeah in hindsight this is kind of a hard problem to explain without pictures. I can get better ones in the morning, but hopefully these help a little.
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1972 Javelin
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tyrodtom
AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/14/2007 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 6214 |
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It looks like the hatch needs to be adjusted forward on the right hinge, but I can't say for sure without seeing the gap across the top.
That might let the hatch settle more down into the opening. It's easy for any hatchback to get warped, you might have to put a wooden block under the left side rear, and push down on the left, gently. Don't try this with a cold glass, warm it in the sun first, or in a heated garage.
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66 American SW, 66 American 2dr, 82 J10, 70 Hornet, Pound, Va.
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