Rear trunk not sitting properly, I htink its the hinge/pivot... ugh Options

[KaptKaos]

Right, so I noticed the other day that the rear trunk was sitting high on the driver's side. Popped it open, lowered, opened, lowered, open, up, down, you get the idea. Only thing I noticed was the roller was cracked and wasn't really rolling, more like sliding. Added some white lithium grease, much quieter, but still not sitting right. (note: the torsion bars are still in use in case you hadn't gleaned that yet)

Stop by PP, pick up some aluminum rollers (very sweet btw), pop in the driver side. No change. Hmmm....

I start pushing the lid forward and back and notice that the hinge/pivot is moving was well. I assume this means that I have a busted weld in there, but I want to make sure.

If it is the case, am I looking ay JWest as my best option?

The trunk is sitting flush now, but I don't want to make this problem worse.

TIA.

[bjorn jacobson]

I had a similar probelm. Sounds like one of the hing bolts has sheared. If you can get a closer look you may be able to see for sure. Should be an easy fix if there is enough thread exposed to grab on to. The guy that fixed mine had to weld a thin piece of rod to the end of the bolt to ease the broken part out.

[SLITS]

If the bolt is not sheared, the mount pulls away from the sheet metal and needs to be welded back.

If it is twisted, it is easier to buy a new mount and bolt and weld it in using the original spot welds as the locater.

Worst part is dealing with the *&^%&^#%$ torsion bars.

BTDT..............

[sgomes]

I feel your pain.

Go for the JWest pivot. You will NOT regret it!

[Cap'n Krusty]

Interesting product. Prolly really good for those who are welding and measuring challenged. Kinda complicated, and adjustible because those who buy it are likely to need that feature. If you can't do it right, do it that way. The Cap'n

[sgomes]

QUOTE (Cap'n Krusty @ Nov 22 2005, 11:38 PM)

Prolly really good for those who are welding and measuring challenged. <snip> If you can't do it right, do it that way. The Cap'n

I'm sure you didn't mean that the way it sounds....

I actually think this is a vast improvement over the original pivot. Some of us have 30 year old cars that aren't perfectly straight anymore. The original pivot does not give any allowance AT ALL for misalignment between the two pivots. With the heim joint on the JWest pivot, one side is allowed to be slightly escentric.

Even if your car is still pristene, that pivot is built like a tank. I can't see you having to replace it like the stock one that so many people are having tear away from the side of the car!

Even if you DID have to replace it after 30 years it would be a FAR easier job!

[JWest]

QUOTE (Cap'n Krusty @ Nov 23 2005, 02:38 AM)

Interesting product. Prolly really good for those who are welding and measuring challenged. Kinda complicated, and adjustible because those who buy it are likely to need that feature. If you can't do it right, do it that way. The Cap'n

You can replace the original pivots with all new parts and do a great welding job, but they will still break again. The bracket itself usually fails, leaving your perfect weld still intact.

"If you want to do it again and again, do it the original way."

[IronHillRestorations]

I like James' pivots just fine, and I think they are a great solution for some cars, but there are some cars I'd use them on and some I wouldn't.

If you properly reinforce the original pivot brackets, and keep the shoulder bolt lubricated, a correct repair should last as long as you live.

I make sure the threaded insert is tack welded on the back side, and I fabricate additional angle brackets to stiffen the OEM brackets. There is also I trick I do to the shoulder bolts.

[TINCAN914]

QUOTE (sgomes @ Nov 22 2005, 08:30 PM)

I feel your pain. Go for the JWest pivot. You will NOT regret it!

AGREED!!!!
I had the same problem mine was high on one side. Went the way of JWest... Very satisfied...

[Cap'n Krusty]

I used to be able to get replacement pivots with only one side cut off, so you had about 60% of the circle to weld instead of 40%. Lubing everything and keeping the rollers in good shape makes 'em last. The Cap'n

[sean_v8_914]

the torsion spring set up puts alot of stress on teh pivot mount

[Katmanken]

On my car, seems like if I weld the pivot into the proper place for the trunk to close, adding the torsion spring seems to move the trunk up outa alignment. That means the pivot should be placed lower but then the trunk is too low and doesn't line up Adding the spring bulges the trunk up but how low (for the pivot) is just right?.... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/blink.gif)

Darned PO had one tab on each pivot stick welded and one tab with a small sheet metal screw. Tough to guess where the pivots should go so adjustmet should prove useful...

Ken

[Lou W]

I'm real happy with my JWest Hinge Kit and Camp 914 Shox Kit, I would highly recomend them both. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smilie_pokal.gif)

[Lou W]

another picture

[KaptKaos]

Great pix. I need to get in there today and look at the hinge and see what's the matter.

Deep frying turkey and all the trimmings takes a lot out of a guy. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

[dmenche914]

if you weld up the pivot point, make sure it is int he exact right location, any deviation from original location may cause very noticable trunk misalignment.

That being the case, get it welded up (easy job with a MIG welder) BEFORE it completely fails and comes off. As long as some is still attached, you should be able to re-weld back tot he original location. Once it fall off, it is difficult to re-position.

Original ones work fine, but they MUST be lubricated.

[SirAndy]

QUOTE (dmenche914 @ Nov 25 2005, 10:12 PM)

any deviation from original location may cause very noticable trunk misalignment.

you guys know that you can adjust the trunk lid in all 3 dimensions. right?

right?
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/cool_shades.gif) Andy

[dmenche914]

three diminsions? There is some play in the hinge to trunk lid bolt holes but not much, so the pivot point really has to be close. Thats my experience. One hell of a time trying to get a lid to fit decent with a close but not perfect re-weld

I figure two diminsions, left/right and back/forward. Overall hieght can be increase by adding washers between the lid and hinge, but short of bending the hinges (have done that) I think it would be very difficult to lower a lid that has no washers added already.

So how do you adjust in 3-D the lid?

[KaptKaos]

So I inspected the pivot today and the drivers side pivot is totally broken off. What a bummer.

The passenger side has a really nasty looking weld on it too, so I think its been "fixed" before.

Not really excited about replacing the pivot points.

According to the JWest, the replacement kit requires no welding. Is that practical? Seems like even the new pivots need to be welded into place.

I am thinking that fixing the existing pivot might be my best option. Can I just weld that old pivot point back into the correct spot?

TIA

[thomasotten]

QUOTE (KaptKaos @ Nov 26 2005, 04:16 PM)

According to the JWest, the replacement kit requires no welding. Is that practical? Seems like even the new pivots need to be welded into place.

Both of my pivots broke, and instead of welding new pivots in, I just put them in with sheet metal screws! And it has held for over 10 years now. Of course, I chunked the torsion bar, and hold my trunk up with a stick. I really want to do the Camp914 shock kit, but it looks like you have to cut the firewall.