I have been searching for awhile, but have not been able to find many topics on rear hatch adjustment. I don't know, maybe I am using the wrong keywords?


Problem is my 85 wagon rear hatch is loose, and clunks over bumps. When the hatch is latched I can go to the outside of the hatch and lift up on it - there is fair amount of free play, which seems to be causing a clunk over bumps. I have tried playing with the side brackets, and those don't seem to have any affect on the free play problem. Is there a way to adjust the latch in the door, or the catch on the floor? When I remove the mounting hardware on these items, it does not appear that there are any provisions for adjustment.


Sorry if this has been discussed before, but I could not find any links. If anyone can point me to some relevant links, I would appreciate it.
-Jon Evans.

Its task 72-351 in the service manual

The catch should be adjustable, it slides. I found mine difficult to adjust until realizing the movement needed was toward the rear. The hatch was loose because it wasn't catching/completing on the second part of the latch. I kept moving it forward until realizing it was only catching the first part of the latch. I have a used latch mechanism if you need one.

Good luck!!!

__________________
"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

Thanks for the replies.




When we are talking about the catch, we are talking about the one on the floor below the door center? And the latch is the one at the bottom center of the door? What are the purposes of the the two brackets on the right and left of the door? These brackets are adjustable, but I am having a hard time seeing what they actually do. The catch at the bottom center of the door appears to be non-adjustable. The catch is mounted using flat head screws which positively locates the catch in one position. Same goes for the latch, which don't have any adjustment slots. I don't see any adjustment possible, except for shimming the catch which would move the catch up and down. What am I missing here?

Yes the "catch" on the floor of the car. The "latch" in the bottom of the door. It does not look like it would; but, my recollection is that the catch will slide back and forth once loose. The adjustment slots are blocked from view by the catch itself. Don't loosen the screws too much, the nuts may not be captured/held in place.

As for the side adjustments, I guess...don't know for sure, they would control the depth that the door would close into the pocket of the chassis into which it closes.

Good luck!!!

__________________
"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

Thank you Sugar Bear. Underneath the plate are slots, just as you said. The previous owner had the catch slid all the way forward, and I tried what you suggested and moved it back. It worked like a charm! My hatch is now tight as a drum!

Thought I posted a reply last night thanking Sugar Bear for the suggestions, but I guess it didn't come thru. Anyway THANKYOU Sugar Bear! Yes, there are slots hidden underneath the catch plate. I slid my catch plate rearward, and my latch engaged into the 2nd primary latch position. It was absolutely sublime driving into work this morning with the notable absence of that freaking rattling rear hatch! Thank you thank you thank you!

You are very welcome...glad it worked. Put it in the win column and drive on!!!

__________________
"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer