Boot's driving me crazy!!

Rossy1234 · Dec 29, 2009

Hi guys, having abit of a mare with my boot at the moment, it kept flying open when i went over speed humps, so i got new pins and new catches from the opc thinking this would solve it. Having fitted them,with the pins too short it won't catch and any longer it catches but won't open!! The only way to open it is with more force then i'd like to use!

Looking down at the catches when the boots open, the catches are releasing fine when the button is pushed and with the key and the pins appear to be going into the centre of the catches from what i can see when shutting it.

When you shut it, its locked in fine, if i do the key it seems to be releasing it a little bit but not enough so needs force to be opened. The only thing i havent replaced are the struts, could it be that the struts arent lifting the boot enough when the catches are released or is it something else?! I'm sooo confused!! [

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Cheers Ross

robwright · Dec 29, 2009

The boots never release on their own and simply lift up. Even in the 944 manual it says if the boot doesn't lift on it's own you will have to assit it by hand. As if they knew that it never would!!! Kind of defeats the object of the boot release button. I would check that everything is lining up ok mate.

Mike_Pollock · Dec 29, 2009

How new is the seal - it appears that the first 5mm or so of the lift is the seal pushing it up as the catches release, so if its old, the force may not be enough.
Also, if the seal is new it can push the pins too hard against the catches so they wont slide open! (although the catches work fine when you're looking at them)
As they are all new I would do as Rob says and check that they are lining up ok - maybe move the catches out a bit.

Mike

robwright · Dec 29, 2009

+1 for that Mike. One of my catches used to stick in the open position. I found that loosening the nuts that secure it just about a 16th of a turn was enough to release the pressure on the catch and allow it to operate normally. They can be sensitive buggers!!! [&:]

edh · Dec 29, 2009

ORIGINAL: robwright

The boots never release on their own and simply lift up. Even in the 944 manual it says if the boot doesn't lift on it's own you will have to assit it by hand. As if they knew that it never would!!! Kind of defeats the object of the boot release button. I would check that everything is lining up ok mate.

With new seals & struts the hatch will come up on its own when released - very satisfying [

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robwright · Dec 29, 2009

ORIGINAL: edh

With new seals & struts the hatch will come up on its own when released - very satisfying []

I just enjoy lording it by sitting in the drivers seat pressing the button and making somebody else lift it for you [

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Peter Empson · Dec 29, 2009

ORIGINAL: edh

With new seals & struts the hatch will come up on its own when released - very satisfying []

It isn't when the spoiler whacks you under the chin when you're not expecting it as it almost always does on my white car [

] New struts, a light rear screen and a hard fibreglass spoiler that sticks out further are not a terribly clever combination

.

To the OP I would also recommend giving the latch mech/linkage a good clean out with alcohol and then relubricate as necessary - at this time of year the old grease solidifies which doesn't help at all.

zcacogp · Dec 29, 2009

ORIGINAL: Peter Empson
To the OP I would also recommend giving the latch mech/linkage a good clean out with alcohol and then relubricate as necessary - at this time of year the old grease solidifies which doesn't help at all.

Absolutely. Mechanisms stick in the cold as the old grease hardens. Things work much better in the warmth of the summer.

My tailgate will open of it's own accord on a hot summers day. I think it's a combination of softer grease and more heat building up more pressure in the struts. It is noticeably harder to push down on a hot day as well.

Oli.

cococola · Dec 29, 2009

I have the left catch that occasionally works loose for some reason and opens on its own.An adjustment puts it right for a few weeks.

Rossy1234 · Jan 4, 2010

Thanks for all the suggestions, i've tried for ages to sort it out and its not having any of it! I've lost my patience and i'm taking it to my local porsche specialist to sort out before i feel that i must section myself! [&:]

pegasus · Jan 4, 2010

Hi there,this may sound silly but when rebouilding my s2 I thought about how to centralise the catches (after they were cleaned and regreased) leave them slack, adjust the pins so they enter but do not quite catch,climb inside the boot anget someone to hold the boot closed,tighten the catches then adjust the pins so they close with enough force to pop up when opened,I found that unless the catches were perfectly in line with each pin they would not catch and release cleanly,hope this helps all the best John.