Hatch problem

[42395_skyline]

My hatch doesn't pop up and I know many live with it but I can't. Where can I find a new spring? I Googled and searched but I couldn't find anymore than people who had the problem. Couldn't find a spring to replace it.

Also, I can't use the key to open the hatch. I put in the key and it won't budge.

 

[Breezio69]

You can get the lift shocks for like $54 a piece from autozone or oreillys... and all my locks were starting to seize up on mine, get lock lube from an auto store. Mine was getting to the point I was bending keys, now they have been lubed 6 months with no problems.

Edit: most people only live with it because its $120 to get it working again... kind of a rip off IMO

 

[CoriGst120]

Spray some good penetrating oil in the lock to free up the tumblers

 

[eclipsemaniac]

Two USA Made Hatch Lift Supports Shocks Struts Arm Props Gas Springs 4952LR | eBay

You can get both of them for 38.70. They cost more at advanced auto or auto zone. I just replaced mine.

 

[my dreamt dsm]

Yeah the eBay ones work good also. Two years going strong.

 

[combs-dsm]

if there penetrating oil does not work get so of that graphite to spray in there. it drys up the moisture and has always done a great job for me

 

[Breezio69]

I put some eBay ones on my Cherokee and a month later, opening it maybe 6-7 times the liftgate came crashing down on my head. Maybe they work better on the lighter hatch but I went with some from the zone on my jeep and they have been fine for over a year.

Edit: I still always open it and let it stay up for a few seconds before walking under it though, that shit hurt... haha

 

[MiroDSM]

I don't think he's talking about the shocks. On mine if I lift the hatch release or insert my key it will pop up and I have to keep the key turned or else it stays latched on the secondary lock. Same with the lever someone has to keep holding up. My shocks are good they hold up the hatch fine. OP this might help you. I haven't done it yet. 2G hatch fix for weak latch pop ups. - DSM Forums: Mitsubishi Eclipse, Plymouth Laser, and Eagle Talon Forum: DSMtalk.com

 

[nelliott500]

In regards to your lock issue, read through this thread: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/354411-seized-door-locks.html

I took my driver's and hatch lock out, disassembled the lock completely, cleaned everything, greased, ground down a few of the tumblers a bit, and now they work flawlessly. It's pretty overwhelming at first but once you get a grasp on how the lock works, it makes a lot of sense and becomes much easier to work with.

 

[42395_skyline]

You can get the lift shocks for like $54 a piece from autozone or oreillys... and all my locks were starting to seize up on mine, get lock lube from an auto store. Mine was getting to the point I was bending keys, now they have been lubed 6 months with no problems.

Edit: most people only live with it because its $120 to get it working again... kind of a rip off IMO

Not the struts, the pop spring that pops up the hatch.

Spray some good penetrating oil in the lock to free up the tumblers

Two USA Made Hatch Lift Supports Shocks Struts Arm Props Gas Springs 4952LR | eBay

You can get both of them for 38.70. They cost more at advanced auto or auto zone. I just replaced mine.

I do need struts too, I wouldn't get them from eBay though. Partsgeek has them for $41.79 shipped.

Yeah the eBay ones work good also. Two years going strong.

Wouldn't want to trust eBay.

if there penetrating oil does not work get so of that graphite to spray in there. it drys up the moisture and has always done a great job for me

I will see which is recommended with a little research. If the graphite is recommended (which I have seen many talk about it before) I will try it first.

I put some eBay ones on my Cherokee and a month later, opening it maybe 6-7 times the liftgate came crashing down on my head. Maybe they work better on the lighter hatch but I went with some from the zone on my jeep and they have been fine for over a year.

Edit: I still always open it and let it stay up for a few seconds before walking under it though, that shit hurt... haha

Wow that's horrible. I wouldn't trust any eBay items that can cause injury. My health is priceless

I don't think he's talking about the shocks. On mine if I lift the hatch release or insert my key it will pop up and I have to keep the key turned or else it stays latched on the secondary lock. Same with the lever someone has to keep holding up. My shocks are good they hold up the hatch fine. OP this might help you. I haven't done it yet. 2G hatch fix for weak latch pop ups. - DSM Forums: Mitsubishi Eclipse, Plymouth Laser, and Eagle Talon Forum: DSMtalk.com

I saw that but don't want to bend or drill anything. If I could find a spring I would much rather pay for that. No google, amazon, or forum search has found me a spring yet though.

In regards to your lock issue, read through this thread: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/354411-seized-door-locks.html

I took my driver's and hatch lock out, disassembled the lock completely, cleaned everything, greased, ground down a few of the tumblers a bit, and now they work flawlessly. It's pretty overwhelming at first but once you get a grasp on how the lock works, it makes a lot of sense and becomes much easier to work with.

Is there a chance of screwing something up by taking it apart? If there is, I rather try some of the alternatives before taking it apart. I have the worst of luck

 

[91-GS]

I saw that but don't want to bend or drill anything. If I could find a spring I would much rather pay for that. No google, amazon, or forum search has found me a spring yet though.

Have you looked in a local hardware or farm supply store? They usually have some springs, might not be exact fit but will work.

Is there a chance of screwing something up by taking it apart? If there is, I rather try some of the alternatives before taking it apart. I have the worst of luck

Worst case scenario the tumblers get messed up and not put back in correct order. After putting tumblers back in, put the key in and make sure it pushes the tumblers flush with the lock cylinder. If not, keep swapping tumblers from place to place 'till they do.

 

[Breezio69]

Junk yard? If its weak you could just stretch it a little as a semi temporary fix. Now that its clarified on what your talking about

But yes, in regards to the lift shocks and health... that liftgate on the Cherokee has to weigh in at over 100 lbs. I was seeing stars for a minute on that one, and I've hit my head pretty hard before.

I had the hatch on the eclipse fall on me one time as well when I was deleting the rear wiper, that wasn't any picnic either.

 

[kayosfrawg]

what about this: [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000K7M36W/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_8?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2ZSTDEXO9VTZF]Steel Spring Shop Assortment - 200 Springs in 20 Sizes/Styles - Amazon.com[/ame] probably more than you'll ever need but its kinda inexpensive.

 

[Jakes 93GSX]

mine does the same thing, except it don't stay up either...

 

[42395_skyline]

Have you looked in a local hardware or farm supply store? They usually have some springs, might not be exact fit but will work.


Worst case scenario the tumblers get messed up and not put back in correct order. After putting tumblers back in, put the key in and make sure it pushes the tumblers flush with the lock cylinder. If not, keep swapping tumblers from place to place 'till they do.

Thanks, I will have to take some time to do it this month.

Junk yard? If its weak you could just stretch it a little as a semi temporary fix. Now that its clarified on what your talking about

But yes, in regards to the lift shocks and health... that liftgate on the Cherokee has to weigh in at over 100 lbs. I was seeing stars for a minute on that one, and I've hit my head pretty hard before.

I had the hatch on the eclipse fall on me one time as well when I was deleting the rear wiper, that wasn't any picnic either.

I feel like if I go to the junk yard it will just give out or already not work anyway.

My struts aren't good, but it holds up. Lucky haven't had it fall on me while working back there all this week.

what about this: Steel Spring Shop Assortment - 200 Springs in 20 Sizes/Styles - Amazon.com probably more than you'll ever need but its kinda inexpensive.

With my luck none of the 20 sizes will fit But I think I'll order if I can't find an alternative and if it doesn't fit there is always snip snip

mine does the same thing, except it don't stay up either...

Struts
Pretty cheap, these are what I will be ordering.

 

[luv2rallye]

I had the hatch not opening problem for years where I had to go back and forth from the release lever to pulling up on hatch to get it up.

The change the spring in the latch thing only pops it up better - it does nothing to push the hatch up once it is released (popped up). If your hatch doesn't even pop up hardly at all then this may be the problem though. .

I tryed doing the spring thing, and adjusting the latch position itself (which only affects the closing position), and even tryed putting wax or grease on the rubber seal strips (thinging maybe it was sticking) but none of this worked.

The real thing that prevents the hatch from going up on it's own once it is released (popped up) is weak struts. Once released the strut angle has a slight upward component force that pushes the hatch up - but only if it's strong enough. Weak struts don't have enough force. Weak struts may have enough force to hold the hatch up once it's already up but not enough to push it up initially.

If doing the spring thing makes it work, it is usually only because it popped it up far enough to where the weaker strut's upward component force is now strong enough (it gets stronger as the angle increases) to push it up. When the strut gets just slightly weaker, however, it won't have enough force to make this work any longer either so you will have to get new struts. I experienced this very thing.

Napa also has the struts: http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/R...k=Keyword&Nty=1&N=599001+101999+50050+2050016

 

[ForsakenLash]

try going to a local junk yard and pulling the stuff

 

[Silver99OZ]

I have the same problem with mine. If I pull the latch from the drivers seat the hatch will pop up about 1/4" but will not completly release. I have to lift up on the hatch with the key in and turned to the unlock position in order for the latch to release. After that it stays up fine by itself.

About two years ago I took off the trunk panel and adjusted the latch. It worked properly for a couple months after that but is now back to not working correctly. I basically just gave up on it.

 

[42395_skyline]

I had the hatch not opening problem for years where I had to go back and forth from the release lever to pulling up on hatch to get it up.

The change the spring in the latch thing only pops it up better - it does nothing to push the hatch up once it is released (popped up). If your hatch doesn't even pop up hardly at all then this may be the problem though. .

I tryed doing the spring thing, and adjusting the latch position itself (which only affects the closing position), and even tryed putting wax or grease on the rubber seal strips (thinging maybe it was sticking) but none of this worked.

The real thing that prevents the hatch from going up on it's own once it is released (popped up) is weak struts. Once released the strut angle has a slight upward component force that pushes the hatch up - but only if it's strong enough. Weak struts don't have enough force. Weak struts may have enough force to hold the hatch up once it's already up but not enough to push it up initially.

If doing the spring thing makes it work, it is usually only because it popped it up far enough to where the weaker strut's upward component force is now strong enough (it gets stronger as the angle increases) to push it up. When the strut gets just slightly weaker, however, it won't have enough force to make this work any longer either so you will have to get new struts. I experienced this very thing.

Napa also has the struts: NAPA AUTO PARTS

It pops up just not enough. I really think it's the spring not the struts, but the struts will be replaced anyway.

try going to a local junk yard and pulling the stuff

I will, but I just hope the spring isn't bad too.

I have the same problem with mine. If I pull the latch from the drivers seat the hatch will pop up about 1/4" but will not completly release. I have to lift up on the hatch with the key in and turned to the unlock position in order for the latch to release. After that it stays up fine by itself.

About two years ago I took off the trunk panel and adjusted the latch. It worked properly for a couple months after that but is now back to not working correctly. I basically just gave up on it.

I won't give up on it, I need it to work. I will do what I have to do to get it working.

 

[Silver99OZ]

I won't give up on it, I need it to work. I will do what I have to do to get it working.

I may try putting a stronger spring on. I was at Lowes earlier this week and noticed quite a few springs in the hardware section that may work perfectly.

 

[42395_skyline]

I may try putting a stronger spring on. I was at Lowes earlier this week and noticed quite a few springs in the hardware section that may work perfectly.

I don't know why I never though of taking the spring to lowes or home depot and seeing if I can find a match... Thanks!

 

[42395_skyline]

I got 5 springs from the junk yard, and none fixed the problem. Now I am in the process of deciding if it's the struts, the wire (adjustment possible?), or the rubber that runs across the entire hatch. I saw that on a thread somewhere today.

 

[DSM_GSX01]

I went to a junk yard got a gas strut that was still like new for $5. And also got the spring and the hook that goes on the hatch. I put my new spring on and new hook that wasn't as long as my old one and the shock or strut and (POP) the hatch went.

 

[nelliott500]

Is there a chance of screwing something up by taking it apart? If there is, I rather try some of the alternatives before taking it apart. I have the worst of luck

There's always a chance. Just be careful and pay attention to what you're doing. Make sure you put down a piece of paper or cardboard or something and lay out the tumblers/springs in order as you pull them out. They'll probably be seized in the lock cylinder. I had to use a small screwdriver and pop them out. Some of them took a lot of force but they broke free. You may have to grind down some of the tumblers like I did even after getting everything back together. I think it's just due to age and the key getting worn down.

Worst case is you do something wrong, you won't be able to unlock the hatch with your key -- which is already the problem you're having so it really doesn't matter.

 

[42395_skyline]

I went to a junk yard got a gas strut that was still like new for $5. And also got the spring and the hook that goes on the hatch. I put my new spring on and new hook that wasn't as long as my old one and the shock or strut and (POP) the hatch went.

I checked all the struts in the junk yard, none were good.

There's always a chance. Just be careful and pay attention to what you're doing. Make sure you put down a piece of paper or cardboard or something and lay out the tumblers/springs in order as you pull them out. They'll probably be seized in the lock cylinder. I had to use a small screwdriver and pop them out. Some of them took a lot of force but they broke free. You may have to grind down some of the tumblers like I did even after getting everything back together. I think it's just due to age and the key getting worn down.

Worst case is you do something wrong, you won't be able to unlock the hatch with your key -- which is already the problem you're having so it really doesn't matter.

I will have to do that within the next couple weeks. I have a lot of work I am doing to it now I will watch some youtube videos first too.