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Boot lid stuck open

Started by _bangbang_ , Nov 03 2012 04:52 PM

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18 replies to this topic

#1 _bangbang_

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Posted 03 November 2012 - 04:52 PM

Hi all,
For some random reason, when ever I now open my boot lid all the way up, it gets locked into the "open" position!! It appears as though the drivers side hinge area has got a locking mechanism that is working to well, although the passenger side is different. As you can see in this pic, that fancy shaped thing in the centre of the pic is extending to the maximum position, therefore locking into place some how. The only way to get the boot lid back down is to get a screwdriver into that drivers side thingy, and flip it back down a bit. This is only happening on the drivers side. Can any please help me work out what is happening?

It is an LX 4 door.
Many thanks!

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Edited by bangbang, 03 November 2012 - 04:53 PM.

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#2 hanra

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Posted 03 November 2012 - 04:58 PM

Do u have a boot spoiler fitted?

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#3 S pack

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Posted 03 November 2012 - 06:26 PM

No locking mechanisms on those hinges. The tension exerted by the two torsion rods holds the boot lid up. Your right hand hinge is probably worn enough that the mechanism is moving beyond its design limit and causing the locking problem.

I don't know if this will help at all but you could try lowering the tension setting on the right hand hinge torsion rod. To do this you move the end of the rod down one notch on the passenger side. This may help ease the problem until you can remove and make a proper inspection of the hinge assy however your boot lid may not want to stay up, esp if you have a spoiler.

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#4 _bangbang_

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Posted 04 November 2012 - 08:45 PM

Thanks guys. Yup, I have a rear spoiler.

I have tried adjusting the tension settings on each side (one at a time), although this didn't alter the locking problem :(

In this pic I have put an arrow - showing the "thingy" that is engaged onto the torsion rod on the drivers side, however on the passenger side it isn't engaged - it hangs freely. I didn't do change it, and this locking problem has came on by itself.. so I am guessing it has nothing to do with it. Although it's odd that they are doing different things!! hmmmm

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#5 S pack

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Posted 05 November 2012 - 08:21 AM

Mate, put up a pic of the passenger side hinge. The torsion rod should be engaged with the mechanism same as the drivers side hinge. Maybe that is your problem, or part of your problem, all the load is being taken on the drivers side hinge.

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#6 _bangbang_

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Posted 07 November 2012 - 08:37 AM

_{Thanks matey}

_{Drivers side:}

_{Passenger side:}

Due to the tension on the rods, I reckon it will be bloody tricky to engage that locking tab thingy on the passenger side if that is the problem!!!

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#7 S pack

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Posted 07 November 2012 - 10:04 AM

Simple, disengage the end of the passenger hinge torsion rod from its notch on the drivers side and let it hang free. Now grab the torsion rod at the passenger hinge, pull it down and and engage it into the slot in the hinge mechanism, then engage the end of the torsion rod back into the notch on the drivers side.

Once you have that done you should be able to drop both torsion rods down at least one notch as with both rods working you won't need as much tension on each rod. Try different tension settings to find which is best suited so your boot lid stays up, isn't hard to close and doesn't fly up like it's powered with rockets.

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#8 _bangbang_

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Posted 07 November 2012 - 10:51 AM

Bloody tops!!! Thanks heaps matey..

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#9 _bangbang_

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Posted 21 December 2012 - 05:52 PM

Hi again..

I just went and diconnected the drivers side torsion rod, and then connected the passenger side hinge thing and engaged that into the correct spot.

I then connected up the torsion rod again. As i tried to close the boot lid, I noticed that the D/S hinge was still locked (as per my first post), so I flipped it over with a screwdriver which allowed it to free up (which I have always had to do wince the problem came up).

The boot lid only shut 1/4 of the way - and then locked again.. and wouldn't close any further. When I lifted it up again, the D/S hinged locked again (as per my first post).

I tried adjusting the P/S and D/S tension settings, which did not help.

Any ideas please?!? Damn bloody thing.

Many thanks

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#10 rodomo

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Posted 21 December 2012 - 09:40 PM

Something is worn out and allowing it to go over centre.
I dunno what? I cant remember. But I've had this problem before.

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#11 S pack

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Posted 22 December 2012 - 01:18 AM

I'm thinking the same thing Rob.

Looks a bit suspicious below the pivot pin (green arrow) also could be worn in the torsion rod engagement slot (yellow arrow).
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#12 _bangbang_

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Posted 26 December 2012 - 05:47 PM

Thanks guys..
I went up and had another look earlier, and it appears as though the P/S hinge mechanisim appears to be slightly bent, and worn out. As a result, the torsion isn't engaging correctly like you pointed out with your arrow in the above picture.

It appears as though these parts can't be replaced, as they look like they are made into the vehicle. Unless the pin can somehow come out of the hinge mechanisim? Any ideas please?!

Cheers

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#13 hanra

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Posted 26 December 2012 - 06:56 PM

Just a piece of metal from the parcel tray pushed downwards to retain the pin from falling out. I just pushed it back outta the way and punched the pin through when I 2 pac'd my boot hinges as the Panel beater tried to paint the hinges in situ and didn't do a very good job. As long as you have the torsional bars removed the hinges will just fall out.

Edited by hanra, 26 December 2012 - 06:58 PM.

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#14 S pack

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Posted 26 December 2012 - 07:38 PM

^^^ What Brad said, just remove the main pivot pin and remove & replace the whole hinge assy.

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#15 _bangbang_

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Posted 27 December 2012 - 09:09 PM

Bloody ripper, thanks guys

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#16 _bangbang_

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Posted 12 January 2013 - 05:57 PM

Bugga!! I pulled the hinges out, and I noticed that the P/S hinge was very bent and out of whack. With a HUGE thanks going to SLR5640, I got myself another hinge, and put everything back together again.

Bugga me dead, the exact same problem is still there. The D/S hinge appears to be allowing the boot to open too far, therefore letting the hook go over centre. You can see it with these 2 pics. Any more advise would be greatfully appreciated please!!

P/S: Working correctly..

D/S:

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#17 S pack

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Posted 12 January 2013 - 06:37 PM

That's a real bummer!
Did you replace the drivers side hinge?
Try lowering the torsion rod for the drivers side hinge down to the lowest notch.
Maybe a previous owner has tweaked/twisted that torsion rod to exert more tension on that hinge because the passenger side hinge was stuffed.
You may need to replace that torsion rod.

I know it's a lot of stuffing around, but you could try swapping the hinges over to see if the drivers side hinge works correctly when installed on the passenger side.
If so and the passenger hinge, when installed on the drivers side, malfunctions the same as the existing drivers side hinge then it will prove the hinge is not at fault.

P.S. Bloody nice paint job on the hinges mate. They look like they'd almost glow in the dark.
P.P.S. Looks like you need to raise the passenger side hinge torsion rod up one notch.

Edited by S pack, 12 January 2013 - 06:42 PM.