Rear hatch alignment

[Craig 94 TA GT]

Is there any way to align the rear hatch? The driver's side sits flush with the quarter panel, while the passenger's side is about 1/4 to 1/2" above. I removed the speaker panel to get to the bolt/bracket that holds the struts to the body...but can't seem to do anything to them I'm pretty sure it's the strut position/alignment because when I remove the passenger's strut and close the hatch, the alignment is perfect. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance...

[soCalTA]

have you messed around with the rubber stops on the bottom side of the decklid?

[fastTa]

I know this sounds a little crude, but mine used to do the same thing. I tried adjusting the little rubber stops to no avail. So I asked my friend at the body shop how they do it. He said just grab it in both hands while it is open and give it a good quick jerk in a twisting motion in the direction in needs to go. I thought he was just f'in with me at first. Then he said that is how most body shops will do it. Well after a few trial and error tries, it worked!

[Need4Speed]

This might be some help...

My dads a bodyman, been doing it for 25 yrs.

I just got my TA and the hatch on the passanger side sat up a little higher from the driver side. He played with the stoppers, but that wouldnt do it.

Infact, anything he did couldnt REALLY got the trunk hatch level. However, he did get it VERY close and what you have to do is, unscrew your actual trunk latch, and re-mount it. You know the part of the trunk that actualy locks in? (Sorry, I'm not as mechanicaly savy as the rest).

[Craig 94 TA GT]

Thanks for your help guys. I already tried to remount the actual locking mechanism. It helped in lining up the lock to hatch well, but it didn't seem to affect the gap/level on the uneven side. I can try it again though if I'm all out of ideas...
Kevin, I'll try your technique. I actually tried doing that with minimal force, but was afraid I was gonna break something. Now I've been given the green light, I'll put some good force on it...and it should work!

[fastTa]

Thanks for your help guys. I already tried to remount the actual locking mechanism. It helped in lining up the lock to hatch well, but it didn't seem to affect the gap/level on the uneven side. I can try it again though if I'm all out of ideas...
Kevin, I'll try your technique. I actually tried doing that with minimal force, but was afraid I was gonna break something. Now I've been given the green light, I'll put some good force on it...and it should work!

I wouldn't worry about breaking anything. It will flex fairly well without any damage or breaking the rear glass.

[Need4Speed]

I'm going to try this when I'm done work in an hour :P

Post back exactly how hard you threw it down... Even with the green light I'm still a little nervous

[Craig 94 TA GT]

I think both of your guys' advice combined really helped. Kevin, I did as you said and it really helped. I got it down pretty good, but am kind of tired tonight, so I quit early lol. I'll try some more tomorrow. Also, I lowered the locking mechanism down a bit, so it would force the entire hatch to lower when closed. It's not absolutely perfect, but about 80% better than before.


Here is the good side:


Thanks again for your help

[Need4Speed]

Thats almost EXACTLY the same as mine is... that damn passenger side is sitting up just a notch!! Bugs me

[Craig 94 TA GT]

Well, I did get it a tiny bit lower than the picture today. But it's still not exactly perfect. However, I think I'm happy with the level it's at now because it was so bad before.