DIY: Stuck Hatch Release Fix (<$3)

spearfish25 · 11-07-2009, 04:40 PM

I went to the Nissan dealer today armed with the copy of the service invoice another member posted showing which springs his dealer used to fix the hatch release issue. My dealer just stone-walled me stating they wouldn't be able to replace the springs with anything other than what the car initially came with. Then they said I'd have to leave the car for a day so they could look the problem over. A trip to the parts window revealed the 'new' springs would cost $49 EACH. Something had to give.

I went to Home Depot and bought an 8 pack of rubber stoppers that one usually uses for the feet of furniture or for door stops. The height is about 1/8" but you can buy a few sizes and choose for yourself. Total cost < $3.

Place one rubber stopper on each spring surface where it makes contact with the car when closed (the part of the spring with the little bumps on it). If the stopper's adhesive isn't strong enough, add a small piece of super duty double sided tape to hold it in place.

The end result: A brisk, firm 'pop' when you push the hatch release and no more stuck hatch issue.

Problem fixed...screw you Nissan.

vipor · 11-07-2009, 04:47 PM

I'd still prefer Nissan to fix the known issue, as I had them do for my car. Nice and simple fix though, grats.

http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-g...ase-issue.html

spearfish25 · 11-07-2009, 05:09 PM

Once they started on me that they'd have to 'evaluate the whole assembly' and that I'd have to leave the car, I'd had enough. This little fix can serve as a temporary solution for anyone pursuing it with Nissan though.

Demon Z · 11-07-2009, 06:47 PM

Wow. Sounds like your dealership is staffed by novices. It's REALLY a simple fix to do it the right way. "Evaluate the whole assembly"? Jeez...they're flippin' springs....

spearfish25 · 11-07-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demon Z

Wow. Sounds like your dealership is staffed by novices. It's REALLY a simple fix to do it the right way. "Evaluate the whole assembly"? Jeez...they're flippin' springs....

Yep...the service manager first started looking for reasons to not even see the car. "It's Saturday. We only do routine maintenance on Saturday. See? (shows me some generic form they use)...oil change, tire rotation, etc." I mentioned that changing the springs could be done faster than an oil change. He countered by saying they would have to 'look at the whole assembly." Finally, "Nissan won't let us put a part on the car that didn't come on the car initially."

After typing this, I'm rather fired up again. Definitely calling Nissan North America this week.

Next time I'll just buy a Porsche and be done with this low-budget, entry-level service. My last track day I spoke with a GT-R owner who said he has already sued Nissan over service issues (paint problem). He added that after buying his $80k+ car, they still treat him like he bought a bare-bones Sentry when he comes in for service.

Demon Z · 11-07-2009, 07:12 PM

Absolutely. You're being treated like an inconvenience, not a customer.

dcrew1x · 11-07-2009, 07:20 PM

I've experienced this a few times now. Maybe 2/10 hatch openings it's stuck, but I end up just holding down the unlock button again and no problem. Definitely not paying $50 and a day at the dealership just to get this fixed.

Thanks spearfish for the idea. I may do that later on

Jack370Z · 11-07-2009, 09:05 PM

Here's the problem...if we let Nissan get away with not admitting there is a problem when the extra weight of the wing ruins the lifts (I have no idea what they will cost if the springs cost +/- $40) we will never get them replaced under warranty. I'll be calling Nissan again and again until they either give in or put it in writing why the spring lift isn't the problem. I'll make them replace the short springs, the switch and the latch itself or I won't be satisfied. This is a small problem...I can't imagine how they will respond to a big problem. This is a real problem..when it's raining sideways and you can't get the hatch open to put your luggage in the back, you have a passenger and can't put your stuff in the passenger seat you'll realize the importance of being able to open the hatch. It could even be considered a safety problem. Maybe I'll have to put Nissan on speed dial...

11-07-2009, 04:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 41 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 48	I'd still prefer Nissan to fix the known issue, as I had them do for my car. Nice and simple fix though, grats. http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-g...ase-issue.html __________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers

11-07-2009, 05:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Once they started on me that they'd have to 'evaluate the whole assembly' and that I'd have to leave the car, I'd had enough. This little fix can serve as a temporary solution for anyone pursuing it with Nissan though. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z Last edited by spearfish25; 11-07-2009 at 05:16 PM.

11-07-2009, 07:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
dcrew1x Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 821 Drives: Graphite Bullet Rep Power: 368	I've experienced this a few times now. Maybe 2/10 hatch openings it's stuck, but I end up just holding down the unlock button again and no problem. Definitely not paying $50 and a day at the dealership just to get this fixed. Thanks spearfish for the idea. I may do that later on __________________ 2009 PG 6MT Sports Stillen Gen3 CAI \| Stillen CBE \| AMS Short Shifter \| Nismo Brace Kit

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11-07-2009, 06:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
Demon Z Base Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 229 Drives: '13 FR-S Rep Power: 16	Wow. Sounds like your dealership is staffed by novices. It's REALLY a simple fix to do it the right way. "Evaluate the whole assembly"? Jeez...they're flippin' springs....

11-07-2009, 07:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
Demon Z Base Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 229 Drives: '13 FR-S Rep Power: 16	Absolutely. You're being treated like an inconvenience, not a customer.

11-07-2009, 09:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
Jack370Z Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 128 Drives: 09 370Z Plat SP 6MT Rep Power: 15	Here's the problem...if we let Nissan get away with not admitting there is a problem when the extra weight of the wing ruins the lifts (I have no idea what they will cost if the springs cost +/- $40) we will never get them replaced under warranty. I'll be calling Nissan again and again until they either give in or put it in writing why the spring lift isn't the problem. I'll make them replace the short springs, the switch and the latch itself or I won't be satisfied. This is a small problem...I can't imagine how they will respond to a big problem. This is a real problem..when it's raining sideways and you can't get the hatch open to put your luggage in the back, you have a passenger and can't put your stuff in the passenger seat you'll realize the importance of being able to open the hatch. It could even be considered a safety problem. Maybe I'll have to put Nissan on speed dial...