Uneven Rear Hatch on '71

[lm71z]

The left side of the rear hatch on my '71 240z doesn't sit flush with the body when it's closed. I'm assuming this is a common issue with the 240's because of the single hydraulic on the left side of the hatch. Is there any way to make the hatch sit perfectly even again?

[bigoak]

Do you have the right hatch strut in place? I have a hard time imagining the pressure of the strut warping the hatch.

You probably have a bent hatch or the hinges aren't adjusted properly.

[lm71z]

No, there is no right hatch strut. The 240z's only had one hatch strut on the left side. I think they started using 2 hatch struts on the 260z's. Is there any way I can adjust the hinges to make the hatch sit flat when it's closed?

[bigoak]

By "right" I meant correct...my bad.

I'm wondering if you have a strut that is slight too long and the hatch isn't seating properly...otherwise...warped hatch...

If I recall correctly when I was playing with my hatch, there is a (minimal) adjustment possible.

One other thought, any uneven rubber seals?

[Arne]

All three of my 240Zs showed this. I have the original support strut on the red car now, still the same. I haven't found a way to adjust this out yet. Seems to be a 240Z calling card.

[AZ-240z]

What am I missing, here? The hatch hinges are adjustable four ways where they bolt to the body. There is no adjustment where the hinge bolts to the hatch, itself. I would just remove the support strut from the hatch, loosen the hinge bolts at the body, and see what you can do to realign the fit of the hatch.

You will need another pair of hands to support the hatch while you make these adjustments. Hope this helps, but let us know.

Dan

P.S.

Wick Humble's book, "How To Restore Your DATSUN Z-CAR", is invaluable when doing anything to your car, as well as the search function of this site. Good Luck!

[Arne]

What am I missing, here? The hatch hinges are adjustable four ways where they bolt to the body. There is no adjustment where the hinge bolts to the hatch, itself. I would just remove the support strut from the hatch, loosen the hinge bolts at the body, and see what you can do to realign the fit of the hatch.

I'd be thrilled if that worked. My hatch sits nice and even with the support strut removed. But the tension from the gas pressure pushes the left edge up when the strut is in place. I've tried to adjust this both with and without the strut with no success so far.

[Sailor Bob]

My 73 is good on the left but low on the right. One ram left side as well.

[AZ-240z]

I'd be thrilled if that worked. My hatch sits nice and even with the support strut removed. But the tension from the gas pressure pushes the left edge up when the strut is in place. I've tried to adjust this both with and without the strut with no success so far.

Arne, is your support strut stock, or aftermarket? I just had a look at mine, and, with the hatch down, not latched, and just sitting on the latching mechanism, there is absolutely no tension pushing up from the support strut as it is lying almost parallel, now, with the hatch. unless the support strut is too long, ie., not designed for your z, I can't see how it could be pushing up on that corner of the hatch.

I don't question what is going on with your cars, I'm just trying to envision what geometry is creating this kind of push. Could it be that, with your hatch closed, the piston rod had reached the end of its travel length before being fully retracted into the strut housing? Does that make any sense?

Dan

[Arne]

Don't know, Dan. Mine s the original Nissan strut from 1971.

[DeesZ]

I had this problem some time ago.... It ended up that there was a small dent in the strut tube which prevented the piston from fully seating... might be worth looking to see if the travel of the rod is full range...
FWIW

[a7dz]

This is as close as I could get the hatch. Ended up making tapered shims for the hinges. They were tapered in two directions and after it was all done I can not tell you what I ended up with installed.

[Carl Beck]

Arne:
If the top of the hatch lid, lines up correctly with the roof line.... If the sides of the hatch lid line up evenly with the sides of the body.... Then that's about all you can accomplish with hinge adjustments.

Once the above was done - Then a Body Man would:
1. Open the hatch, and place a block of wood under the lower right corner of the hatch lid, on the threshold plate.

2. Close the hatch lid down on the block of wood - then place his left hand on the lower left corner of the hatch lid - and push it down an inch or two with medium force. Using a sort of bouncing/rocking force... to spring it back into shape.

This would raise the lower right side of the hatch - and maybe lower the left side a bit. Once the line at the bottom of the hatch lid is straight - you might have to adjust your hatch lid latch down a bit.

After doing this - make sure that your hatch lid hinges did NOT move. Always very carefully open the hatch lid - while watching the hatch lid/roof interface!! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT...


FWIW,
Carl B.

[Unkle]

So does this allow the exhaust gasses in ? Is your gasket / weatherstrip flush with the metal edge all the way around ?

[Arne]

It's not lifted enough to lift it off the seal, so no exhaust gases. It's pretty much just an appearance issue.

[ktm]

Odd, my 1972 240z does not have this issue. The hatch is flush all the way around.

Have you tried loosening the little bracket that the strut connects to which is attached to the body? It is a single bolt and I believe there may be a little bit of adjustment to be had there.