Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

How much should the hatchback spring up when the button in the footwell is pressed ?

On my 1984 944, the button works and the latches release the pins, but the hatchback doesn't lift at all. There are no rattles from the hatch (so it's not very loose), and I've not seen any evidence of water getting in. The struts are a bit tired (as the back of my head has discovered !), but I guess that they don't play any role in opening the hatch (?). Does the scheme just rely on the rubbers, so it's a question then of replacing them, even though they all look and seem to work OK - or should I adjust the pins (which are very badly rusted) and risk not being able to open the hatch at all ?

I would say fit new hatch struts, did this to mine and now the hatch opens fully when you press the button also may be worth cleaning the hatch pins and a little bit of grease on them may help.
Ian

Thanks Ian - good to know that the struts might well make a difference (and my skull says I should get some new ones anyway !)

Hi if they are still holding gas but just not enough to lift the hatch these guys can re gas them for about £20 for both
www.sgs-engineering.com

IMHO new struts are a last resort.......a delaminating hatch is a harder problem to solve

However, with new struts come other problems:

- If your pins don't fit perfectly and aren't held in securely by the claws in the latches, then your hatch could spring open uninvited!
- If the glass is not strongly bonded to the frame, the pressure of the new struts will break this bond and twist the frame.

I've had both of the above problems, and having replaced the entire hatch, it still doesn't pop open on the button, but at least it stays closed, and can hold itself up.

Hmmm, that's a bit more worrying. Should the rubbers provide enough spring to at least get the pins clear of the latches ?

On my 1st 944 the hatch would lift open once the pins had been released, however at it's service the Engineer said he hadn't come across many that did.

My current Turbo's hatch does not lift up on it's own (struts are probably the originals and a bit tired although they do hold it up once it has been lifted manually).
Did have the hatch open on me a few years back when the pins were out of adjustment it set my alarm off which was very alarming whilst driving!!! )

The pins are released by an electric motor opening 2 claws using either the drivers side floor-well button or turn of the key. the hatch only lifts a short distance 1/2" say.
I have not replaced the struts, happy to lift the hatch gently open since as mentioned above if they are too strong it could cause glass problems.
I would suggest giving the pins and catches a clean (WD40) and then oiling or light grease to keep them rust free and working. If rubbers are ok then leave them.
HTH
Clive

Thanks for the responses. The latches seem to be releasing OK, but the pins are rather rusty and need replacing anyway. Maybe I'll just do that to start with and try adjusting them a little bit at a time.

It will be an adjustment issue. However getting it right now will most likely be wrong next month. Can get the hatch to spring clear off the laches then lift manually. Don't think grease will help much as a lubricant, but may keep the rust off the pin heads.

Adjustment will be a mix off pin length and catch location.

The rear hatch struts are just designed to keep the tailgate open. Bit like the bonnet - you open the bonnet manually, having released the cable - the struts keep it open - the rear panel works the same...

Dave - SA

I do believe it's the hatch rubber seal that gives it the initial spring up before the struts take over

I changed the struts on mine a few weeks ago.

Until last week i've been driving around with one strut off because every time the body twisted the tailgate would open. This is not good!

Ive now fitted new pins, and cleaned the latches thoroughly, but finding the sweet point for the latches is a long, frustrating, process and very much trial and error. I think i'm there now, and the hatch opens 95% of the time off the button.

Really is a pain to get right

But so satisfying when you do........

http://vid442.photobucket.com/albums/qq ... 16c43b.mp4