Hatch not latching right

Hethj7 · 01-13-2004, 07:55 PM

My hatch takes a couple times of slamming it to get it to latch anymore. And, once it is down, it doesn't seem like it is completely closed. It rattles much more than it used to and I can hear some road noise back there.

Is there anything that commonly goes wrong back there to cause this? As far as I can tell, nothing is preventing it from shutting completely, so what could it be?

stang_racer20 · 01-14-2004, 12:17 AM

mine did the exact same thing. i found it was because of the cold weather here in WI. just use some white lithium grease on it to lube it up and see what happens.

GhettoPop · 01-14-2004, 02:13 AM

same prob, look at the latch system...see that plastic bushing that is worn out? i just used a star driver, took off the latch pin (i think u call it that) then i flipped the bushing around, good as new!

BigCountryGT · 01-14-2004, 09:42 AM

You can use a piece of water hose if the bushing is gone. Split it and Wrap it around the round "striker." That will get you by for a while

Hethj7 · 01-14-2004, 03:45 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. Sounds like it should be a simple fix. I will take a look at it tomorrow.

MidNiteBlu 5.0 · 01-15-2004, 03:01 AM

same thing happened to me awhile ago. Its called a striker and is like 12 bucks from the local dealership. It comes with the bolt and bushing already on it.

Hethj7 · 01-15-2004, 12:52 PM

Thanks. If that is all it costs, I may try to swing by the dealership today.

Falcons Talon · 01-15-2004, 01:19 PM

You can go by your local auto shop and buy them cheaper. I replaced the door strikers for about $5.00 a pop from autozone. I haven't needed the hatch striker, but the doors sound new again, and I don't have to slam the doors to close all the way. Well worth it just for the peace of mind of making your car sort of new again...

RageGT · 01-18-2004, 10:17 PM

I bought a new striker for mine but the easiest fix is electrical tape. My bushing broke and I just wrapped it with tape until it closed tight again.

Hethj7 · 01-19-2004, 02:34 PM

Rage - Great idea. The dealer wants 25 bucks here for a new striker. I may try the electrical tape idea for a while. I just wrap it around the pin until it closes tight again, correct?

01-13-2004, 07:55 PM	#1
Hethj7 Mizzou Tigers Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: weston, MO United States Posts: 1,455	Hatch not latching right My hatch takes a couple times of slamming it to get it to latch anymore. And, once it is down, it doesn't seem like it is completely closed. It rattles much more than it used to and I can hear some road noise back there. Is there anything that commonly goes wrong back there to cause this? As far as I can tell, nothing is preventing it from shutting completely, so what could it be? __________________ 2006 Mustang GT 1990 LX GT-40 motor 262 horsepower, 307ft-lbs (sold but forever loved) 1998 Contour SVT Rice Haters Club Member #244

01-14-2004, 12:17 AM	#2
stang_racer20 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 348	mine did the exact same thing. i found it was because of the cold weather here in WI. just use some white lithium grease on it to lube it up and see what happens. __________________ 92 Mustang GT, 347 Stroker(Forged Steel Crank/Rods-Balanced, Forged Aluminum Dished Pistons), Trick Flow Track Heat Intake, Trick Flow Twisted Wedge Heads w/ Stage 3 port/polish, 80mm C&L MAF, FMS 30# Inj., BBK AFPR, Trick Flow Stage 2 Cam, Trick Flow 1.6R Rockers, BBK E.L. Headers, Flowmaster Cat-Back, MAC CAI, FMS Pulleys, Griffin Alum. Radiator, MSD Pro-Billet Distributor; AOD, Dynamic 3300 Lockup Converter, B & M Super Cooler, B&M Ratchet Shifter; 3:73 gears.

01-14-2004, 02:13 AM	#3
GhettoPop Gimme a Drink! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 694	same prob, look at the latch system...see that plastic bushing that is worn out? i just used a star driver, took off the latch pin (i think u call it that) then i flipped the bushing around, good as new! __________________ 1990 GT,stock T-5,K&N w/o air silencer,March underdrives,FMS wires,timing@14*,PA Perf 130amp alt,Steeda Tri-Ax Shifter,Steeda adj quadrant/clutch cable/firewall adj,Centerforce II clutch,o/r x-pipe,Magnaflow SS catback,g-load brace, subframes,Bilstein struts/shocks,Autometer gauges, 136k and running strong!

01-14-2004, 09:42 AM	#4
BigCountryGT Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: meridian, ms Posts: 96	You can use a piece of water hose if the bushing is gone. Split it and Wrap it around the round "striker." That will get you by for a while __________________ No, I was serious. Your import sucks

01-14-2004, 03:45 PM	#5
Hethj7 Mizzou Tigers Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: weston, MO United States Posts: 1,455	Thanks for the replies guys. Sounds like it should be a simple fix. I will take a look at it tomorrow. __________________ 2006 Mustang GT 1990 LX GT-40 motor 262 horsepower, 307ft-lbs (sold but forever loved) 1998 Contour SVT Rice Haters Club Member #244

01-15-2004, 03:01 AM	#6
MidNiteBlu 5.0 I got something to say Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,557	same thing happened to me awhile ago. Its called a striker and is like 12 bucks from the local dealership. It comes with the bolt and bushing already on it. __________________ 91 LX Hatch 5.0 - made for the twisties 89 LX Hatchback 5.0 5spd. stolen/stripped 4/7/05 http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/...splay.cgi?3494 1987 Toyota Pickup Ricer Haters Club Member #33 Want a custom gauge cluster for your Vintage Mustang? www.jmeenterprises.com

01-15-2004, 12:52 PM	#7
Hethj7 Mizzou Tigers Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: weston, MO United States Posts: 1,455	Thanks. If that is all it costs, I may try to swing by the dealership today. __________________ 2006 Mustang GT 1990 LX GT-40 motor 262 horsepower, 307ft-lbs (sold but forever loved) 1998 Contour SVT Rice Haters Club Member #244

01-15-2004, 01:19 PM	#8
Falcons Talon T.P.M. President Join Date: May 2002 Location: Brownsville Posts: 265	You can go by your local auto shop and buy them cheaper. I replaced the door strikers for about $5.00 a pop from autozone. I haven't needed the hatch striker, but the doors sound new again, and I don't have to slam the doors to close all the way. Well worth it just for the peace of mind of making your car sort of new again... __________________

01-18-2004, 10:17 PM	#9
RageGT Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: NW Ga Posts: 10	I bought a new striker for mine but the easiest fix is electrical tape. My bushing broke and I just wrapped it with tape until it closed tight again.

01-19-2004, 02:34 PM	#10
Hethj7 Mizzou Tigers Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: weston, MO United States Posts: 1,455	Rage - Great idea. The dealer wants 25 bucks here for a new striker. I may try the electrical tape idea for a while. I just wrap it around the pin until it closes tight again, correct? __________________ 2006 Mustang GT 1990 LX GT-40 motor 262 horsepower, 307ft-lbs (sold but forever loved) 1998 Contour SVT Rice Haters Club Member #244

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