Coupe Rear Hatch Strut Issue

[JimV]

I installed the rear hatch on my Coupe '65 as per the manual. The fit was surprisingly good and hinges worked perfectly. Then I installed the gas struts and everything went to hell. The struts are putting a rear force on the hatch that causes the gap at the front of the hatch to grow and interference at the rear. I have removed the struts and reset the hinges several times. All is good until I install the struts then the same thing happens. I am using the exact dimensions for the forward attach point (7 inches from roll bar) but after the struts are installed, I cannot open the hatch because the struts are forcing the glass to the rear the glass is tight against the body.

I would appreciate any suggestions. At this point, I am leaving off the struts and moving on. But since no-one else has mentioned the problem, it may be something I am doing wrong. Thanks in advance for any help.

[Namrups]

It sounds like your hinge joint is moving. Make sure that is tight before attaching the gas struts. Also make sure the hinge clamp to the roll bars are tight. If the roll bar clamp and the hinge joint are tight the glass should not move.

[JimV]

Thanks for your response. I have tightened the hinge attachment on the roll bar and all the other points on the hinge hardware. The struts just push everything to the rear. I thought the same as you suggested. Removed the struts, reset the hinges (twice more) and locked everything down as tight as I could. Same result. I cannot explain it, but it makes the hatch inoperable with he struts attached.

[J R Jones]

Jim, Are the struts reaching the end of their compression stroke before the hatch is closed? One does not have to use all the stroke. You may have to move the glass mounts further back.
jim

[JimV]

No, the struts are still somewhat compressed when the hatch is full closed. That seems to be the problem although I do not know why. What the hatch closed, the struts are trying to still expand and are pushing the whole hatch just a bit to the rear. The hinges are not moving so I cannot explain where the slight movement is coming from. When properly adjusted, the gap at the front of the glass hatch is about 3/16 of an inch or so. With the struts attached, that gap increases to 1/4 or more and the rear edge of the glass is interfering with the rear hatch opening on the body panel. Its not much movement, but just enough to get everything out of adjustment. The latch is pressing against the striker and cannot open.

Thanks for the response.

[michael everson]

2 things come to mind. Maybe the wrong weight struts? Not sure what they are supposed to be but thinking 20 pounds. I will check the ones I have here. If they are ok, then loosen the hatch with the supports off and force it all the way up. Tighten everything and re-attach the supports. Maybe it will center itself.
Mike

[JimV]

Thanks Mike for the response. I tried loosening the hatch and the glass was forced even further to the rear. The struts were so strong I couldn't force the hatch back into position--had to remove everything and start over. I'm inclined to think the struts are the wrong weight. Just one will hold the hatch up and expect for pushing the hatch a little to one side, is enough to lift it as well. I'll get the info off the strut and try to find the weight. If high, I'll try a lower weight. Thanks again for the help.

Jim

[Namrups]

Are you using the glass struts or the hood struts? I would think the hood struts should be the stronger of the 2 sets. I will check mine to see if I can tell.

[dstelter]

well ill chime in as well. I've been fighting this same issue for over a yr. Jim if you find a lower weight shock please let me know. I am going to try one more time with re-adjusting as well. making sure everything is tight. seems like i have more of an issue on the driver side. its to a point where the glass has just slightly starting to rub on the paint in the back lower corner by the spoiler.

Doug

[JimV]

I'm pretty I am using the glass struts. I think the hood struts were longer but I will check to verify I'm using the right ones. Thanks for the response.

[JimV]

Where is Paige, TX. I'm in Weatherford. I intend to look for lower strength struts. I'll let you know if I find them. Surely, they are around somewhere.

Jim

[michael everson]

The coupe I have here has 35 pound lifts on it.
Mike

[dstelter]

Hey Jim.

Paige it just north of Bastrop, which is just east of Austin.

My Coupe is complete except for the drivetrain. (way to long of a story....) I know that i have replaced my nose struts 2 twice now. They do not like to be extended or open during cold weather. lost one each during the past 2 winters.

doug

Yes the hood/nose ones are much longer. don't think you can get them mixed up.

[edwardb]

The struts on my Coupe are Suspa C16-06874, extended: 17.1”, compressed: 10.8”, rated 40#. Received with the kit. They hold the rear glass up just fine once it's opened. But with the latch loose, still need to lift up some at first. Then the second half or so they take over. Just about right in my experience. I've never had an issue with them displacing the glass, changing the alignment, etc. I know that's not any help. Sorry. :( I do know I was careful to make sure the struts didn't bottom out when closed, to the points that were made earlier. I don't remember if this meant I positioned the body side attachment different than the instructions. It's been a few years... Picture attached FWIW.

BTW, the fronts are extended: 35.43”, compressed: 19.29”, rated 25#. Appear to be a custom size and weight. Only available direct from Suspa at approx $100 each. Would be pretty hard to mix them up.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/ab234/edwardb123/IMG_1717.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/ab234/edwardb123/IMG_1717.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

[JimV]

Hello Doug:

I checked my hatch struts. They are SUSPA C16-09897 35 lbs. I fought the issue all afternoon and again went back to zero by taking the hatch off and disassembling the hinge components then putting it all together as per the manual. This is about the 5th time I have done this, all with the same result. Once again, the hatch closed perfectly until I attached the struts then the same displacement to the rear happened. I was sort of at the end of my rope so I decided to try one more thing. I moved the forward collar strut attach points about 1 inclosed to the roll bar. I reattached the struts, gently closed the hatch and everything remained in place! No rear displacement.

I softly walked out of the shop, turned off the lights, and came home for a well deserved cocktail! I don't know if the hatch will open and close properly tomorrow, but I'm going to go to sleep tonight knowing it all worked this afternoon! If you are still having the problem, you might consider moving those attach collars slightly forward. It's an easy fix if it works.

Jim

[Namrups]

My glass struts are labeled 35 lbs.

[JimV]

Thanks

[JohnMac]

Not sure we ever found the struts in our kit so I went to Pep Boys who have a whole wall of struts with the weight posted on the body. You may have to play around with different pound and lengths but we finally got our done with no ptoblems.