Nissan 350Z Motoring Forums - View Single Post - Rear Hatch Opening Fix HOW-TO

**flynnibus** · 12-18-2004, 11:05 PM

Rear Hatch Opening Fix HOW-TO

By flynnibus @ http://www.350zmotoring.com
Original Post by skar 718 of 3FIVEZEROZ

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any misinformation in this document or any damage that may occur to your vehicle from following this document. Consult your service manual for specific Nissan recommended instructions.

Introduction
Many 350z's suffer the same fate mine did. It usually starts when it starts getting cold; you would hit the trunk release, and it would pop, but would still be caught, requiring a second press of the release, or worse, a slight lift up and then hitting the release again. Usually this starts out intermittent, and gets worse over time. The dealer even replaced my struts, and the problem returned within a year. Nissan finally issued a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) over the problem, NTB04042, which instructs the dealer to replace the lifting springs. This DIY fix works just as well, and saves you a trip to the dealership.

Tools Required
None! Woohoo!

Recommended Extras
Small Slot Screwdriver

Supplies Needed
4 US Pennies

Start

The culprit of this task is the small boot covered springs located on the underside of the rear hatch. There is one spring mounted near where the hatch struts attach.

Rear Hatch Springs

Remove one of the springs by simply grabbing it at the base, and twisting it either direction 90 degrees. The tabs that hold it in place will become free and you can remove the entire assembly from the hatch.

Spring Mount Point

Spring with Boot

Next you need to pull the boot off the spring. The boot is simply stretched over a lip on the base of the spring. Pull the rubber back away from the base and down away from the base of the spring, working your way around. Once you break the seal, it will come off much easier. This is where the small screwdriver may come in handy if you are having a problem breaking the seal from the base.

Boot pulled away from base. Note the lip at the bottom of the black plastic.

Once the boot is free, remove it completely from the spring. Take two of your pennies, and place them flat at the bottom of the inside of the boot.

Disassembled Spring and Boot

Pennies in the boot

Simply drop the spring back into the boot, and stretch the top of the boot back over the lip of the spring base. Be sure to pull boot up all the way around so its over the lip and snug.

Be sure to pull boot all the way back up to the black tabs

Once the boot is secured and even all the way around, simply insert base of spring back into hole in rear hatch, and turn 90 degees to lock in place. Repeat the same steps with the spring and boot for the other side and you're done!

Shut the trunk, hit the release, and rejoice in the magic that is a trunk that opens every time!

12-18-2004, 11:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
flynnibus Forum Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,031 iTrader: (0)	Rear Hatch Opening Fix HOW-TO Rear Hatch Opening Fix HOW-TO By flynnibus @ http://www.350zmotoring.com Original Post by skar 718 of 3FIVEZEROZ Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any misinformation in this document or any damage that may occur to your vehicle from following this document. Consult your service manual for specific Nissan recommended instructions. Introduction Many 350z's suffer the same fate mine did. It usually starts when it starts getting cold; you would hit the trunk release, and it would pop, but would still be caught, requiring a second press of the release, or worse, a slight lift up and then hitting the release again. Usually this starts out intermittent, and gets worse over time. The dealer even replaced my struts, and the problem returned within a year. Nissan finally issued a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) over the problem, NTB04042, which instructs the dealer to replace the lifting springs. This DIY fix works just as well, and saves you a trip to the dealership. Tools Required None! Woohoo! Recommended Extras Small Slot Screwdriver Supplies Needed 4 US Pennies Start The culprit of this task is the small boot covered springs located on the underside of the rear hatch. There is one spring mounted near where the hatch struts attach. Rear Hatch Springs Remove one of the springs by simply grabbing it at the base, and twisting it either direction 90 degrees. The tabs that hold it in place will become free and you can remove the entire assembly from the hatch. Spring Mount Point Spring with Boot Next you need to pull the boot off the spring. The boot is simply stretched over a lip on the base of the spring. Pull the rubber back away from the base and down away from the base of the spring, working your way around. Once you break the seal, it will come off much easier. This is where the small screwdriver may come in handy if you are having a problem breaking the seal from the base. Boot pulled away from base. Note the lip at the bottom of the black plastic. Once the boot is free, remove it completely from the spring. Take two of your pennies, and place them flat at the bottom of the inside of the boot. Disassembled Spring and Boot Pennies in the boot Simply drop the spring back into the boot, and stretch the top of the boot back over the lip of the spring base. Be sure to pull boot up all the way around so its over the lip and snug. Be sure to pull boot all the way back up to the black tabs Once the boot is secured and even all the way around, simply insert base of spring back into hole in rear hatch, and turn 90 degees to lock in place. Repeat the same steps with the spring and boot for the other side and you're done! Shut the trunk, hit the release, and rejoice in the magic that is a trunk that opens every time! Last edited by DVan8504; 07-26-2006 at 10:33 AM. Reason: all kinds of html tags showing in thread