1988GTstang

i had replaced my hatch on my 89 lx to get all the rot out and im having a hard time closing it..i replaced the latch because the original was broken...u really have to put force for it to catch and you have the kinda hold the passenger side up a lil more the get it stay closed..is it out of adjustment or is there a problem wit the striker/latch?
heres two pics of the right hand side theres a larger gap on this side then the left...
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...485cb5d4ae.jpg
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...ed493db149.jpg

mjr46

adjust the striker

1988GTstang

will that fix the gap also?

Tony71502

Gap between hatch and body lines? You probably need to adjust/shim the hatch so it fits. That could mean alot of loosening/tightening up the bolts to make the hatch line up properly.

1988GTstang

it can be done though?

turbosha

when i did mine, i loosened the 2 hinge bolts, and removed the striker. close the hatch and get everything lined up. go inside the car and tighten the hinges. get it to close good and square, good body lines. may have to play with shims. then add the striker and get the closed height you want. a new seal and striker does wonders.

1988GTstang

ill prolly buy a new striker...as for the body lines it seems everything lines up except that one part above the headlight

AdderMk2

trying to align your hatch to your headlight???? i think you are doing something wrong here...

1988GTstang

big typo...no im not trying to align to the headlight lol just trying to get it to line up and elimintate the gap wit the TAIL light lol

1988GTstang

well i found the striker but i wanted to buy a new latch while i was at it i had to replace mine wit one i had laying around it wasnt a power one and id like to put the power back in