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**flynnibus** · 12-18-2004, 10:05 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!

Ed 718 · 01-18-2005, 09:38 PM

Thanks flynn for the credit ....The original idea was from WLD350z he gave me the idea. I thought i'd pass it to my Z family...Also when cold if you call cali cold the fix sometimes fails but works in warm weather...HMMMMM

**flynnibus** · 01-18-2005, 10:31 PM

thanks.. updated the content

Yeah it held up for awhile.. but lately is back to hit or miss.. and this week with is being 15 deg out.. always takes a extra hand

**lentronic** · 04-25-2005, 04:00 PM

b/c the pennies contract in the cold...

Ed 718 · 04-25-2005, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lentronic

b/c the pennies contract in the cold...

Cold what's that Len? Yah here in Cali it works better with warm temp. I recently dropped a penny extra but hesitant on any more for fear of denting the hatch. The 2 pennies held up well for sometime.

wutitbelikewode · 04-25-2005, 10:24 PM

Maybe a stupid question, but has anyone ever thought of just putting the springs on the stove and stretching them back out?

Ed 718 · 04-26-2005, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wutitbelikewode

Maybe a stupid question, but has anyone ever thought of just putting the springs on the stove and stretching them back out?

If it works why would that be stupid. I thought this was a stupid idea until it worked for me then I decided to post it up and it worked for many others. I decided to stay away from the STEALERSHIPS and the lies and try something myself.

ObZeZZed · 08-08-2005, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flynnibus

Here's a HOWTO that talks about the 4cent fix for the rear hatch that fails to open on the first try.

Original Concept by skar 718 of 3FIVEZEROZ

Rear Hatch Fix HOWTO

I just saw this and thought HEY I have that problem, so I tried it and to my amazement, IT WORKS. The trunk has been doing that since it was brand new and I thought it was normal but annoying. Now it actually pops open instead of lifting a little and then getting hooked on the latch. Good stuff. Thanx for the info.

Ed 718 · 08-08-2005, 03:16 PM

I can't believe you found this thread....Back from the dead...

ObZeZZed · 08-08-2005, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skar 718

I can't believe you found this thread....Back from the dead...

You can thank the Jeep lovin Texan for that one he posted it in that thread about free mods, tryin to be a wise guy but it actually helped someone. LOL. Im just glad I found it. Now my car is better than new.

airforcetxn · 08-08-2005, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ObZeZZed

tryin to be a wise guy but it actually helped someone.

I hate it when my plans backfire....

ObZeZZed · 08-08-2005, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airforcetxn

I hate it when my plans backfire....

Im tellin you man, you lost your mojo when you got rid of your Z now that you have a white jeep being bad may not come as easily.. LOL..Thanks for bein a smart ass though, I had to go back out and pop the hatch like 10 times to make sure, and it worked every time. Now somthing else will go wrong with the hatch and the dealer will claim excessive where

lol

Ed 718 · 08-08-2005, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ObZeZZed

You can thank the Jeep lovin Texan for that one

I thought he was banned already...

black350Z · 09-18-2005, 10:28 AM

I, too, was (am) having the hatch opening problem. So I tried this thread's idea. I read the part about using 4 pennies and the issue returned so I went ahead and did 5 pennies. It did work -- functionally anyway. However, when I went to wash my car, I noticed the rear hatch was chipped on the driver's side and it was from something punching up from inside. I opened the hatch to see what it might be, and sure enough it was from the spring assembly! So use caution with this fix. It's tough to see from the images, but the "chip" really is a raised pimple -- not a depression.

Ed 718 · 09-18-2005, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by black350Z

I, too, was (am) having the hatch opening problem. So I tried this thread's idea. I read the part about using 4 pennies and the issue returned so I went ahead and did 5 pennies.

NOOO I would refrain from even using 4 pennies on this mod but 5 well you over did it. I have used 4 before but was afraid of just that or worse....Nowwhere did I originally say use 5 pennies. On my thread it claims 2 pennies on each side....

black350Z · 09-18-2005, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed 718

NOOO I would refrain from even using 4 pennies on this mod but 5 well you over did it. I have used 4 before but was afraid of just that or worse....Nowwhere did I originally say use 5 pennies. On my thread it claims 2 pennies on each side....

Well, I went back and read the instructions. It says 4 pennies. It was my fault for not dividing by 2, leaving 2 per side. I feel stupid now.