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Rear Hatch Sticking

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reptile80

Probationary Member
26
0
Aug 30, 2009
pahrump, Nevada
My rear hatch on my 99 eclipse is sticking when I use the release lever on the drivers side floor. The key will not work anymore, just wont turn at all. If I pull the release lever and go back and lift up on the hatch until it stops then pull the release lever again it normally opens up. Is this common for these cars or do I need to replace some parts?
 
Not real positive on why the hatches do this. But next time you try to open it with your key, push down on your hatch while trying to turn the key. Mine gets stuck and I have to do that when I want to open it with the key and it works. I know I need new hatch struts, but I'm not positive that's why it gets stuck.
 
Mine used to do the exact same thing until I adjusted the latch a few months back. Carefully remove the plastic middle panel in the trunk and you will see the latch. There are two bolts holding it on, that you can loossen and adjust the latch up or down. You want the latch to sit level, on mine the right side was lower than the left so I only cracked the bolt loose and moved the right side up about an eighth of an inch. Solved the problem completely.
 
That is really good to know. I might have to repair the threads on the drivers side threads on the hatch where the struts are supposed to go so it can pop of again.
 
Might also check this. I came across it a few days ago, I thought it was on here, but I found it on dsmtalk.com, and the pics don't work now

Anyways here is the link: 2G hatch fix for weak latch pop ups.

Basically, remove the center cover in the trunk. Look at the lever with the spring attached to it, drill a hole lower on the lever, then move the spring to the lower hole (Adding tension on the spring to give more lift to the hatch)

Im heading out to the garage right now to do this to mine! :hellyeah:

I wanted to add a couple things.

First, I have brand new hatch shocks on and my hatch wont pop on the first try after sitting for a while. So new shocks might not be the answer. If they hold the hatch up then they should still be usable.

Second, here are some pictures to help things go smoothly.

I already had my trunk covers out so I snapped some pics of the latch and procedures.




With the HATCH CLOSED before modification.
<a href="http://s165.photobucket.com/albums/u65/cisco5311/?action=view&amp;current=IMAG0581.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u65/cisco5311/IMAG0581.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


Remove the spring
<a href="http://s165.photobucket.com/albums/u65/cisco5311/?action=view&amp;current=IMAG0582.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u65/cisco5311/IMAG0582.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>






Drill a new hole lower on the lever






Bend this tab towards the drivers side of the vehicle to add more tension on the spring
<a href="http://s165.photobucket.com/albums/u65/cisco5311/?action=view&amp;current=IMAG0587.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u65/cisco5311/IMAG0587.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


HATCH CLOSED after modification
<a href="http://s165.photobucket.com/albums/u65/cisco5311/?action=view&amp;current=IMAG0588.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u65/cisco5311/IMAG0588.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


Notice how there is more space between the coils now?




I will wait a few days and try her out to see if this really works. Good luck! :thumb:
 
im having the same problem... but if the hatch is open sometimes the shocks hold it open and sometimes they dont... if i hold it up with some pressure for a minute then it will stay open by itself sometimes it doesnt. Does this mean time for new shocks? Also sticks when using the lever, got to pop it go back lift up on it go back pop it again and then it comes up but my key works so i just started using that and not messing with the lever but would be nice to use the lever every now and then.
 
Id say oil up the latch.. and it could also be the shocks themselves.. orealiys is where i had to get mine and to get them to fit they had to order them for the talon and not the eclipse..
 
I've had this problem since the car had 50k miles on it. Yes the struts are weakened, but otherwise function fine. If I remove the wing the struts will open the hatch no prob.

I also suffer from having to use the "hatch latch" 2-3 times in order to open the hatch, but my key still works fine.

Anyways, to the point, I was instructed that the root cause of this is those little shark gill plastic things in the troughs that drain the water from the hatch. They get smooshed, more or less. Mine are at least. A new and working part will provide enough elasticity to raise the hatch up, just ever so slightly so that it can be unlatched on the first try. Even with weakened struts you should be able to pop it.

I've not yet tried this approach. YMMV.
 
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 (post 1) 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. The original post on this with pics is here: http://www.dsmtalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1582896&postcount=33.

The little shark gill plastic things in the troughs only hold the hatch sturdily in place and act as a bumper when you slam it down.

I tryed doing the spring thing (post 1), and adjusting the latch position itself (which only affects the closing position), and playing with the shark gills, 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 (post 1) 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 has new ones at $31.49 each http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Detail.aspx?R=BK_8195717_0282474085
 
Last edited:
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 (post 1) 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. The original post on this with pics is here: DSM Forums: Mitsubishi Eclipse, Plymouth Laser, and Eagle Talon Forum: DSMtalk.com - View Single Post - Door handles breaking off....

The little shark gill plastic things in the troughs only hold the hatch sturdily in place and act as a bumper when you slam it down.

I tryed doing the spring thing (post 1), and adjusting the latch position itself (which only affects the closing position), and playing with the shark gills, 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 (post 1) 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.

Aye.. agreed 100%
 
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 (post 1) 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. The original post on this with pics is here: DSM Forums: Mitsubishi Eclipse, Plymouth Laser, and Eagle Talon Forum: DSMtalk.com - View Single Post - Door handles breaking off....

The little shark gill plastic things in the troughs only hold the hatch sturdily in place and act as a bumper when you slam it down.

I tryed doing the spring thing (post 1), and adjusting the latch position itself (which only affects the closing position), and playing with the shark gills, 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 (post 1) 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 has new ones at $31.49 each Store Locator | NAPA Online

Appreciate the definitive response:thumb:
 
If your hatch doesn't even pop up hardly at all then this may be the problem though. The original post on this with pics is here: DSM Forums: Mitsubishi Eclipse, Plymouth Laser, and Eagle Talon Forum: DSMtalk.com - View Single Post - Door handles breaking off....

Ahhhh yes, that is the link to the thread with pics.


New shocks are relatively cheap, replace them, especially if the hatch won't stay open or you have to really lift to get it open. If that doesn't solve the opening problem, then move on to modify the latch lever and spring. :hellyeah:
 
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