When I pull the knob to open the rear deck lid on my VS it opens but doesn't open very much, not even 1/4". the latch has a spring in it which should pop the lid up when it is released but it won't. God knows the deck lid isn't too heavy. It latches really nice so I don't think it is an adjustment on the latch or the striker. Any ideas on what I can do? I could put a street rod door popper on it but that is more of a bandaid.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
It's all lubed up Stan, even the striker bolt. It still won't pop up enough to open without prying up with my finger. I'm afraid eventually it will wear through the paint on the edge of the deck li.
It's all lubed up Stan, even the striker bolt. It still won't pop up enough to open without prying up with my finger. I'm afraid eventually it will wear through the paint on the edge of the deck li.
When you say.... "I'm afraid eventually it will wear through the paint on the edge of the deck lid" ,are you saying that the edge of the lid is rubbing? Sounds like the lid is out of alignment slightly. Get it open and try an adjustment of the hinges?
He's saying that he has to wedge is finger under on of the corners to pry the deck lid open.
How much gap do you have when you close the lid, so it's just resting on the latch, the same 1/4"? If it's higher, it might be getting caught on something. You say it has a spring in it, so is this a spring loaded catch like on the front or is it still the bear-claw latch and pin? If it's the latter, except for the relatively short travel on the latch mechanism (assuming it's not sticking), the only thing that pushes up on the lid is the seal. So yes, you might want to add one of those pressurized hood props to help open it.
Mine pops up!
I had the same problem, the latching arm did not have enough spring tension to pull itself back and at the same time lift or eject the lid.
My solution was to drill a hole in the latching arm and secure it witha self tapping screw , works every time.
This is a old video and would be a easy fix/upgrade for your car.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0IOKLIiN44
It needs to be blue...........
I think I figured it out. The latch is mounted too high and latches a little too easy I tried to move it down so I would have to push down a little bit to click it then when I pop the latch it will spring up. The problem is I have no adjustment left so I will have to slot the holes down a little. This should fix it I hope. Thanks for the ideas guys.
I had the same problem, the latching arm did not have enough spring tension to pull itself back and at the same time lift or eject the lid.
My solution was to drill a hole in the latching arm and secure it witha self tapping screw , works every time.
One of the many reasons I love this site! That's a great idea Mike. I have the same problem. I'll try this fix over the weekend.
I'm sorry, but through this whole thread, all I could think of was this:
I had a similar problem on my VS. The pop up latch spring did not have enough tension. Tried replacing the pop up latch spring for new ones without any noticeable improvement.
so I followed MikeIB recomendation to drill a small hole and add an external spring to help the pop up latch....and a 10 minute project fixed the problem. I now have +1.5 inch lid lift when the latch is released.
great simple fix.. many thanx MikeIB
luis
I see you have a solid steel cable which doesn,t help I have replaced mine with a beetle accelorator cable which I soldered into the pull knob .front and rear .also debur the mechanism parts where they lock in. now there fine.
I always worried about getting the engine lid open if that pull wire would break and I got the ides on here to attach a second wire release wire to where ths original wire attaches to the mechanism and wrap the end up under the rear of the car. If the mail wire ever breaks, you have a secondary one that can be pulled to release the trunk.
I should also so somehting similar to the front hood release.
