Hatch not locking down on one side [:(]

[Alan Woods]

Nice day, so I thought I'd give the 924S a spin to Tesco, but while putting the shopping bags into the boot noticed one side wouldn't lock down, b*gger. So I thought I'd take the 911 instead..... flat battery [&:]

I really have searched the the forum for this as I'm sure i'm not the first to experience this
Anyway, one side locks down fine while the other doesn't [&:]
Upon closer examination the "hole" that the plunger things goes into appear to be different, see below.

This side works fine []

This side doesn't lock down []

Any suggestions? My suggestion of 'more Porsches' has already been turned down by the Financial Controller

 

[timig]

Hi Alan
Do you happen to know if these are the same boot catches as a 944 - they look like it from the photo. Not sure how easy it is to explain, but there is a cable that pulls the little metals jaws open to release the catch (the bit on the boot) and let the boot open. Perhaps either the cable has snapped, or as has happened to a no. of 944 owners the claws have just got stuck? You can take out the catches and get some WD40 on them, but it does mean clambering into the back and taking the nuts off the bottom of the catches...

 

[Alan Woods]

Thanks Tim, I saw you can take off the catches look like two 10mm head bolts holding them on, I'll try that first withgood old WD, cheers!
(got 911 charged and off out a blast now).

 

[937carrera]

A broken cab;e / rod would usually mean that the hatch wouldn't open. Failure to close means that the claws are not returning to the rest position through the action of the springs.

Simply squirt lubricant down the hole and after removing the carpet simply work the rod until the claws are free. I had this same problem on both sides of my S2 recently. It's a bit of a pain having to use the key to move the mechanism every time. Should be free in 20 minutes or less.

You don't "have" to remove the mechanism. Doing so will allow you to do a better job of cleaning, but you will have to align the latch correctly when refitting.

 

[Fred Hindle]

I would also suggest than you apply a smear of grease to the latch 'jaws' and the conical bits on the hatch. This should delay them seizing up again for a while.[]
Cheers,

 

[usermjg]

if you look at picture 1, you should be able to see two half circular shapes, these move to allow the catch to fall past them but then spin shut again as to hold onto the catch. In most case's dirt and muck builds up and prevents them returning, Closing back. This has happened to me on countless times. Remove the carpets and get your head in to look at the two bolts which hold the plastic housing to the car body, if you loosen off the bolts a little and give a wiggle they should spring back shut. Clean with an old toothbrush, apply a little copper crease, then tighten the bolts back up, not too much and hopefully that's it.


Marc

 

[vincematthews]

It also looks like the nylon 'cup' underneath the catch is missing. Try putting something like a pencil in and if it goes all the way through, the 'cup' is missing and you need a new (or good s/h) replacement catcher.

This needs to be present to stop the hatch pin from moving about when it is held by the 'jaws'.
Judging by the wear marks, the 'catchers' could do with lining up properly anyway!!