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Posted by: bobboinski Apr 29 2017, 06:23 PM

I found a 914 that I'm interested in but am concerned about the rear trunk lid fit. The drivers side is not bad but the passenger side is low on the front corner and high on the rear corner, above the taillight. I searched and read about the hinge problem (broken spot welds) after looking at the car. Could what I'm seeing be caused by this?

Thanks for any help.

Posted by: theleschyouknow Apr 29 2017, 06:46 PM

mine is like that on the drivers side
further investigation did reveal replacement/reweld of that hinge -apparently a little off
I improved rear side alignment by tweaking the heighth of the threaded rubber bumper/stop above the taillights


cjl

Posted by: bobboinski Apr 29 2017, 06:56 PM

Thanks. Wish the car wasn't 2 hrs away. The rubber bumpers were missing so I figure I could get it closer using your method. My concern is the right rear corner being lower due to an accident but I can't find anything that would give it away. Thinking about trying to get the car level then taking some measurements. That still wouldn't explain the low front corner so maybe the hinges are the most likely cause. Just thinking out loud....

Bob

Posted by: Tom_T Apr 29 2017, 07:15 PM

You should be able to see the hinges on both sides to see if they're either failing &/or welded a tad out of place to cause the low fit. Have the seller take pix for you & send them to you.

The trunk seals can also make it settle lower than normal if they've collapsed, or are partially or totally gone - so have him do pix of all 4 sides for the big 3 sided seal & the one across the forward lip just behind the engine bay opening.

Same cause or combo for the bumpers mentioned above.

Unfortunately, it could also be due to more serious problems with the car, such as an accident. If it's running & driveable, then you could follow behind it & see if it crabs at all, indicating an accident & uni-body tweaked - but that is still not conclusive even if she runs straight.

I'd definitely take some time to look further into it, cuz you want to know what problems you'll inherit & price it accordingly to buy & fix, or to pass.

PS - You should also be using this to check out your 914 prospects -
http://bowlsby.net/914/Classic/zTN_Gen_914CAF.pdf

Good Luck!
Tom
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Posted by: 76-914 Apr 30 2017, 07:54 AM

Just throw a few washers between the lid and hinge attach point to raise that area.

Posted by: bobboinski Apr 30 2017, 10:24 AM

This was my initial reaction but then my mind went down the "I wonder why" road.....

Posted by: McMark Apr 30 2017, 10:51 AM

Most likely because of a rusted out rear trunk hinge bracket.
http://www.jwesteng.com/shop/914/10-914-rear-trunk-pivot.html

Posted by: ConeDodger Apr 30 2017, 11:15 AM

^