Rear Hatch Opening Fix HOW-TO

[childreth]

Problem with this.... do you have an after market spoiler??? If so you have added weight to the hatch! You see the picture of the spring loaded mechanism that is pictured above, the one with the rubber cover completely off of it. the shaft in the middle was too long on my 03' so when the hatch slammed with the extra weight the shaft came up through the top and dented the hatch from the underside, which created a small nipple on both sides of the hatch!!! Be careful when you do this!!! When you add the pennies you lengthen the shaft!!!

You can fix the problem:
1.) Depress the spring so you can take the c-clamp off the shaft and the spring comes off!

2.) Take the shaft and you will see that the opposite side of where the c-clamp was will be larger in diameter. Take a manual or power handheld or bench grinder and grind that thicker portion down until there is roughly a centimeter or 2 of thickness left.

3.) Then re-install it in the plastic piece that locks into the vehicle, place the spring over it and compree it enough to get the wascher and c-clamp back on it. A good way to do this is depress it and use vise grips to hold it there, the put the washer on and then the c-clamp!

4.) Put the pennies back in (you can tape/epoxy them together)

5.) Put the rubber sleeve back in and install!!!!

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.

[childreth]

Problem with this.... do you have an after market spoiler??? If so you have added weight to the hatch! You see the picture of the spring loaded mechanism that is pictured above, the one with the rubber cover completely off of it. the shaft in the middle was too long on my 03' so when the hatch slammed with the extra weight the shaft came up through the top and dented the hatch from the underside, which created a small nipple on both sides of the hatch!!! Be careful when you do this!!! When you add the pennies you lengthen the shaft!!!

You can fix the problem:
1.) Depress the spring so you can take the c-clamp off the shaft and the spring comes off!

2.) Take the shaft and you will see that the opposite side of where the c-clamp was will be larger in diameter. Take a manual or power handheld or bench grinder and grind that thicker portion down until there is roughly a centimeter or 2 of thickness left.

3.) Then re-install it in the plastic piece that locks into the vehicle, place the spring over it and compree it enough to get the wascher and c-clamp back on it. A good way to do this is depress it and use vise grips to hold it there, the put the washer on and then the c-clamp!

4.) Put the pennies back in (you can tape/epoxy them together)

5.) Put the rubber sleeve back in and install!!!!

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.

[SHiFT_slidin]

what if i only have one spring? how could i get another one???

[childreth]

nissan dealer...

[hikix77]

This is actually a service bulletin, call ahead to your Nissan dealer and they will replace them for free.

[HackneyG]

Wow! Nissan just quoted me $120.00 to fix my hatch. I'd rather pull it up myself.

[EKnight614]

my car started doin this yesterday , but hell if this works im on it tommorrow mornin way to think man

[2003FittyZ]

I have 3 pennies in each side, and mine still sticks time to time. I guess my springs must be REALLY worn out.

[jtabraham]

Originally Posted by 2003FittyZ

I have 3 pennies in each side, and mine still sticks time to time. I guess my springs must be REALLY worn out.

do NOT put more than 3 pennies on each side. The springs are attached to a small metal rod and when the springs compress, the rod extends up out of the plastic housing. If you use more than 3 pennies, the rod will extend right into the sheet metal of your hatch.

I made this mistake and was greeted with two small outward dings on both sides of my hatch (nothing a paintless dent removal guy can't fix though).


If you have problems with your hatch staying UP when it's opened, you need stronger shocks. I have a nismo spoiler and bought some heavy duty struts from a supplier at work.

I have an extra set if anyone is interested: FS: Stronger Hatch Struts (for use with Spoilers)

Jason

[6SPD Z33]

anywhere i can buy the springs other than from nissan? one of mine is bent :| bought the car that way. doesn't bother me having to pull the hatch up but it would be nice for it to pop up

[jtabraham]

Originally Posted by 6SPD Z33

anywhere i can buy the springs other than from nissan? one of mine is bent :| bought the car that way. doesn't bother me having to pull the hatch up but it would be nice for it to pop up

For the earlier years, I believe there is a TSB for the popping springs (which make the latches clear when you open the hatch). Nissan should replace them for free.

How did it bend in the first place?

[6SPD Z33]

no clue, it was that way when i got it.... i was stupid and didn't look at those b/c i really didn't care how big the hatch area was lol... wasn't planning on putting much in it.

[jtabraham]

you mean the springs in the "accordion" housing are bent? How do compression springs bend??

[6SPD Z33]

hell if i know but the thing looks like a freakin 45 degree angle lol

[6SPD Z33]

oh well i just did the penny thing on the one side.. and surprisingly.. it works with just one working spring lol. when i took the other side off the actual bar was bent and i didn't feel like messing with it.

[jtabraham]

Originally Posted by 6SPD Z33

oh well i just did the penny thing on the one side.. and surprisingly.. it works with just one working spring lol. when i took the other side off the actual bar was bent and i didn't feel like messing with it.

Yeah, for a normal hatch those springs are just SLIGHTLY too week. Before I got my spoiler, i just put one penny on each side and it worked fine.

[n20]

thanks!!

[sidewy8]

cool

[03ZeeRider]

Well I thought I would try it with Canadian pennies for all us Z owners in the the Great White North. But, I discovered that one of my springs was missing... Super, just super. So, I'll have to replace then get back to everyone.