MustangMadness7

I have an 89 5.0, and the hatch wont close on it. When i close the hatch, only 1 of the two pieces closes around the little metal cyllinder in the trunk, so as soon as i go over a bump, it taps the lock out of place and the trunk will rattle heavily and open slightly over bumps. It seems like the alignment between the metal cyllinder and center of the lock is off by about a half inch, but i dont know how that would have happened. If anyone has had this happen, or has any ideas let me know. For now i just closed the hatch and manualy closed the lock, but it still rattles a lot. Ill probly go to the junkyard and try to find a new lock. I checked ebay, but there wernt any on there. Is there a keyword for it i dont know or what? Well, any help would be appreciated. thanks

Bad Karma

Are the shock absorber thinggies dismounted?? I had one go loose on me in a Camaro and the Hatch wouldn't close all the way and make noises something fierce.

Check the alignment as you close it and then check it out once it's closed from the inside of the car.

Good Luck,
Ivan

Boss_Hotrod

If the gaps are correct on the side then take off the rear trim panels and then move the striker up a little. If the gaps are off try turning the bumpers up into the hatch some. Only do that if you have a large gap. To get the striker loose you will need a torx bit. It in the 40 range I think.

HACKGT350

same thing happend in my hatch all you need to do is loosen then striker (metal cylinder) and start moving it up till the hatch closes right then tighten it so it doesnt slide back down

Scout2232

Yea I have the same problem When I go over bumps it rattles like crazy. There's a little plastic piece that goes around the metal piece, and thats why it doesn't close, I only have half of that little piece and I gotta stick it just right to get it to close. So it's probably your striker that needs replacing.

Boss_Hotrod

You might be able to get a bushing for it at Napa. One of our door strikers didnt have the bushing and the door only closed halfway. Put in a new bushing shuts like a charm now.

rmodel65

the washer on the hatch doesnt unscrew just buy the bushings from a parts store usually in the "help" section take a razor cut it down the middle spread it open and put it on the stiker now the next problem is the bushing is too short so the next job is cut on of the other bushing in the pack in half then split it down the center wala good as new! i always put the split side down. or u can just order a new hatch striker!