New trunk hinges installed. I need some tips on how to re-align my trunk

[shark92651]

The paint/body shop did a great job on my trunk, the gaps were perfect and it latched tight. Unfortunately my Mk4 had the previous generation hinges and I could not get Mike Everson's gas strut kit to hold my trunk open. I purchased the newer MK4 trunk hinge kit and installed it yesterday. I swapped out the hinges one at a time while my son held the trunk open. I found that the new kit would hold the trunk open even after only 1 hinge was swapped out! Great, my trunk now stays open on it's own, but now the alignment is all off. The gap at the top of the trunk is much wider than before, the gaps at the bottom and lower sides are too narrow, and the trunk is loose when it is latched. There are so many adjustments possible it seems that no matter what I do it's still off somewhere. Does anyone have any advice on the best way to get the trunk aligned again, short of taking it back to the shop?

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50870684952_d7091980f5_c.jpg

[Norm B]

Try disconnecting the gas struts and loosening the hinge attach bolts at the lid just enough so that you can move the lid to proper alignment but there's still enough friction that things don't shift when you open the trunk to retighten them. You may have to overshoot the alignment a little to compensate for the force applied by the gas struts. Set them up perfect the first time without the struts, attach the struts, see how far they push things out of whack, detach the struts, adjust the lid past perfect to compensate and reattach the struts. Repeat the process until you're happy.

HTH

Norm

[j.miller]

Try disconnecting the gas struts and loosening the hinge attach bolts at the lid just enough so that you can move the lid to proper alignment but there's still enough friction that things don't shift when you open the trunk to retighten them. You may have to overshoot the alignment a little to compensate for the force applied by the gas struts. Set them up perfect the first time without the struts, attach the struts, see how far they push things out of whack, detach the struts, adjust the lid past perfect to compensate and reattach the struts. Repeat the process until you're happy.

HTH

Norm




DING, DING, DING ! Well done Norm. That's how ya gotsta do it. Little bits at a time. If it fit well before, it will fit well again..da Bat

[shark92651]

Thanks for the input. I'll give it another go as soon as I have time.

[Jeff Kleiner]

David,
Do me a favor before you start adjusting; wrap the leading edge of the trunk lid with a strip of painter's tape and also lay a strip across the front of the trunk opening on the body. Reason being that if you get it a little misadjusted the lid can pinch the body as you raise or lower it and damage your paint/clear. Once you have it pretty well dialed in and are sure that it doesn't make contact you can pull the tape and do the fine tuning.

Good luck!

Jeff

[michael everson]

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?22150-New-way-to-adjust-Mark-4-trunk-hinges&highlight=trunk+lid+adjustment

[DadofThree]

Kudos to you for taking the time to ask before doing.

These are the type of posts where I'm glad my build is in the "unfinished/unpainted driver" stage as I don't (right now) have the patience for the details. I just replaced a trunk hinge too, but just one. And without any detailed consideration for alignment; I swapped it, closed the trunk and hit the road. One day I'll line everything up......(yeah, right)

[FLPBFoot]

Anyone have one of these new trunk hinges laying around where you could take a photo with a rule along side so I can get an idea of the dimensions of the new extension for connection of the gas strut. I'm looking to modify my old brackets to add the lower extension and just trying to get an idea of the changed shape. Thanks much.

Steve

[Jeff Kleiner]

...One day I'll line everything up......(yeah, right)

That's what I've been saying about my own car Dave---since 2007!

Jeff

[GTBradley]

I know it’s not helpful to you now, but for anyone else reading this and having the issue of their struts not holding the trunk lid open you can try just tightening the lock nuts at the pivot point. My struts were just about enough to do the job but still let it fall back down. After I tightened the lock nuts it stays open on it’s own.

[shark92651]

Great advice Jeff, thank you!

[shark92651]

I got my trunk back to where it was. Thanks for the help.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50890341278_8b546d4cfc_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50891054946_c0ab2bf0a1_c.jpg

[shark92651]

Anyone have one of these new trunk hinges laying around where you could take a photo with a rule along side so I can get an idea of the dimensions of the new extension for connection of the gas strut. I'm looking to modify my old brackets to add the lower extension and just trying to get an idea of the changed shape. Thanks much.

Steve

Steve I took these photos for you. Hope it helps.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50891057071_744d1db2f2_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50890346418_5d5db3d7e1_c.jpg

[Norm B]

Looks good!

Norm

[FLPBFoot]

Steve I took these photos for you. Hope it helps.

David,

Thanks much! Appreciated.

Steve

You went Ruby red and gray stripes, looks great!......I went Ruby Red and Carbon Flash Metallic stripes.

141781

[swolfe731]

I know it’s not helpful to you now, but for anyone else reading this and having the issue of their struts not holding the trunk lid open you can try just tightening the lock nuts at the pivot point. My struts were just about enough to do the job but still let it fall back down. After I tightened the lock nuts it stays open on it’s own.

What lock nut are you referring to please. A locknut on the strut itself?
Thanks, Steve