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J1NX3D · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Posts: 1333 Location: New Zealand

For as long as ive had the car the left hatch pin hasnt sat all the way in. I got my hatch shocks recharged 3 wks ago and now theres daylight showing thru that side of the hatch after a couple of corners and stays up. I know you can adjust the pin but i have tried that countless times and it doesnt work. It seems like the catch the pin goes thru- the one that opens and closes with the key- is the culprit. Is there any way to adjust this? Would like to resolve this quickly as its letting in fumes and is an insecurity.
Cheers
Jae

NB: My hatch is aligned and seals are good

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'86 944

Smoothie · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:16 am Post subject:

You won't want to hear this, but I let the gas out of my hatch shocks years ago to solve all my hatch problems. I had a gap at the rear with exhaust fumes and the frame was pulling away from the glass.
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"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

J1NX3D · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Posts: 1333 Location: New Zealand

??? I thought i replied to this post butits not showing...

I had thought about taking some gas out but back when i was holding my hatch open with a broom handle i could pull on the left side of the hatch and the pin would clear the catch (no matter how much i adjusted the pin) while the right side would still be locked in. Since recharging the only thing thats changed is that at the first corner i come out of the hatch shock pops the pin anyway.

taking gas out wont really solve the problem. im wondering if the catch is a replacement item???
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'86 944

Smoothie · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2003 1:20 pm Post subject:

Ok, I see what you're saying. Without even turning the key in the lock, the left side can be lifted up...

Gotten a look at the mechanism in operation? - With the hatch raised, turn the key and look into both latches. See if what's happening in the left latch is the same as what's happening on the right. I can't tell from the parts diagram, but there might be an adjustment at the ends of the actuator rods. These lead from the lock to the latches.
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"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

Smoothie · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2003 1:36 pm Post subject:

Yes - the manual shows the rods are adjustable. Maybe the left side is adjusted too tight, so that latch is always held open or almost open? Also - there's some spring action built in somewhere.. if the springs are within each the left and right latches and the left one isn't functioning, that could be a problem. -Or could be just loose latch to body bolts.
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"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

J1NX3D · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Posts: 1333 Location: New Zealand

JUST HAD A QUICK LOOK. WHERE THE RODS GO INTO THE CATCH ITS THREADED. WILL HAVE A BETTER LOOK LATER. OOPS, sorry for caps
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'86 944

924RACR · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:32 pm Post subject:

The catches can and do wear out and be in need of replacement. In particular, there's a plastic ring inside the catch that needs to be in there to make sure the pin stays latched. This can be broken (and is in my racecar), allowing the pin to deflect and clear the catch mechanism, even if it's adjusted properly.
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Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

J1NX3D · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Posts: 1333 Location: New Zealand

that could be the case Vaughan. Tried to adjust it last night but no good. Im going to be cheeky and get a new wider pin machined up and see if that works
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'86 944

Smoothie · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2003 2:18 am Post subject:

This thread got me to look at my own hatch's latches and I found they needed some adjustment, so I did that and eliminated a mildly annoying thump-rattle from the rear by screwing in the cone shaped pins by about 3/8".

Also noticed my spoiler was lifting at the left corner. A screw was missing. I replaced it with a [url=http://photos.msn.com/viewing/photo.aspx?GXjoJRPv*Lq8VA9E0sByrKOS3zy2BjeUuw5NU3ajFecmTzlDd3sV7XPfUhrmiQZJZHjR2hpoX2nMPN1WkJuCW8ZHpr7ON1SoQ4Gx!KB5eAcn7hlmnbOJ3A$$]#10 1-5/8" galvanized decking screw[/url]. I'd tried some others first, but the #10 was the only one that really grabbed. It was so satisfying that I had to do it again - drilled and chamfered more holes nearby and put in more screws. [url=http://photos.msn.com/viewing/photo.aspx?GXjoJRPv*Lq8VA9E0sByrKOS3zy2BjeUuw5NU3ajFedPXKRqBT3ecp1r*o*qfFTapUFmxP5SiyOhFgV9PEVay*4dqjwvry!ViXvo98MDsfjQIAWWJqlz3g$$]<photo>[/url] I lift the hatch from that side, so the more, the merrier. Can't drill too close in or you'll be on the glass. They didn't come through the top of the spoiler, but you can feel them about 1/8" under the surface. If I had them, I'd have used 1-1/2" or 1-3/8" long #10 screws. (these aren't #10 machine screws - they're outdoor wood screws with large deep threads)
_________________
"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

J1NX3D · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Posts: 1333 Location: New Zealand