How to you close rear hatch?

vividracing · 06-13-2012, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonzo

Manual says explicitly to NOT push down on the spoiler, only the hatch door itself. It's in there, I read it.

Your guy's hatches must close easier than mine. I can't drop it from any height. It doesn't close all the way even form the highest point. I have to give it quite a slam to get it to close, more than I would like.

To be sure I apply even pressure I use the edge of my palm on the top back edge of the door, centered side to side, and give it a downward swhoosh. I release my hand from the door prior to it actually stopping and closing.

I don't think I'm doing any physical harm to the door, but I am worried about unnecessary scratches, especially when the wife does it with her ring on etc.

I have some extra clear bra material left over and have considered cutting a chunk and applying it back there.

Sounds like your hatch might be slightly out of alignment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkJak

I let it swing close with a thud. Much like I'd close a door. It'd be weird to let a door almost close and then push it that last cm to close. Same for the hatch in my head. There are those spring rubber stops to protect it.

I guess I'm a weirdo, because that's how I usually close doors lol

kenchan · 06-13-2012, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonzo

Manual says explicitly to NOT push down on the spoiler, only the hatch door itself. It's in there, I read it.

Your guy's hatches must close easier than mine. I can't drop it from any height. It doesn't close all the way even form the highest point. I have to give it quite a slam to get it to close, more than I would like.

.

that's why on your car it specifically says not to push down on the spoiler.

btw, if you're referring to my post, i dont PUSH down on it. i just gently keep the momentum going downward. i have the mine's cf lip on the spoiler. i press on that which means, i dont PUSH it down hard at all.

it's hard to grab just the edge of that hatch anyway. i rather not risk scratching the finish.

Bonzo · 06-13-2012, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vividracing

Sounds like your hatch might be slightly out of alignment.

I don't think so, but I could be wrong.

But I don't understand how all yours just close from the weight. My shocks must be stronger than yours or something. If I have my front doors & windows closed, I have to swhoosh my trunk with quite some effort; it does not just "plunk" shut from a light push and gravity.

Now if the front door or windows are open, not so much.

Telephone · 06-13-2012, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonzo

Manual says explicitly to NOT push down on the spoiler, only the hatch door itself. It's in there, I read it.

Your guy's hatches must close easier than mine. I can't drop it from any height. It doesn't close all the way even form the highest point. I have to give it quite a slam to get it to close, more than I would like.

To be sure I apply even pressure I use the edge of my palm on the top back edge of the door, centered side to side, and give it a downward swhoosh. I release my hand from the door prior to it actually stopping and closing.

I don't think I'm doing any physical harm to the door, but I am worried about unnecessary scratches, especially when the wife does it with her ring on etc.

I have some extra clear bra material left over and have considered cutting a chunk and applying it back there.

Could this be a 2012 thing? I also must manually push it closed as dropping it won't close it completely. Oh, and I never touch the spoiler upon closing.

shadoquad · 06-13-2012, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonzo

Manual says explicitly to NOT push down on the spoiler, only the hatch door itself. It's in there, I read it.

Your guy's hatches must close easier than mine. I can't drop it from any height. It doesn't close all the way even form the highest point. I have to give it quite a slam to get it to close, more than I would like.

To be sure I apply even pressure I use the edge of my palm on the top back edge of the door, centered side to side, and give it a downward swhoosh. I release my hand from the door prior to it actually stopping and closing.

I don't think I'm doing any physical harm to the door, but I am worried about unnecessary scratches, especially when the wife does it with her ring on etc.

I have some extra clear bra material left over and have considered cutting a chunk and applying it back there.

Ah, my car's tush lacks a spoiler, so this is a non issue. If it doesn't close tight when I bring it down, I just put my palm on the deck lid and gently push down.

MattP725 · 06-13-2012, 01:57 PM

I use the inside of my knuckle to apply some pressure on the outside lip of the spoiler and have had no issues with flex or anything even remotely damaging the body. I am sure there is more force from the wind when driving at high speeds than there is from my 2-3 fingers I use.

The manual prints things like that to avoid liability when some sasquatch rips the spoiler off.

Viera · 06-13-2012, 01:57 PM

I bring it down gently, then let it come on down on her own

SailFree · 06-13-2012, 02:01 PM

1) Manual says DO NOT PRESS DOWN ON SPOILER.
2) If latch is a bit misaligned, slamming or dropping can cause hatch to warp a little. I think this happened to the hood of my Infiniti when I was selling it and let a guy drive it around for a half hour. I didn't notice till next morning.

3) The auto body experts I asked say to lower hood or hatch, make sure the latches are aligned, and then press down over the latch areas.

my2004Z · 06-13-2012, 02:03 PM

I cross-body block the entire hatch Jimmy Superfly Snuka style!

kenchan · 06-13-2012, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SailFree

1) Manual says DO NOT PRESS DOWN ON SPOILER.
2) If latch is a bit misaligned, slamming or dropping can cause hatch to warp a little. I think this happened to the hood of my Infiniti when I was selling it and let a guy drive it around for a half hour. I didn't notice till next morning.

3) The auto body experts I asked say to lower hood or hatch, make sure the latches are aligned, and then press down over the latch areas.

that's because dumbarses will put their weight on the spoiler...

let's use some common sense here...

also, i would never do the 'make sure the latches are aligned, press down on the hood' on the Z. you will risk bending the hood.

sailfree- it is time you rely on experience and not just data.

Bonzo · 06-13-2012, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

btw, if you're referring to my post, i dont PUSH down on it. i just gently keep the momentum going downward. i have the mine's cf lip on the spoiler. i press on that which means, i dont PUSH it down hard at all.

If I recall, I think the manual says not to use it at all, even to touch it, because it could loosen up the way it's attached or something. Crap I don't remember from back in December.

I don't "PUSH" on anything either. I hate when people lightly drop their hood then push latch it shut. Guy at the dealer did it to the Z he was trying to sell me and I cringed. Or when their door doesn't close all the way they push on it to close it. No no, not for me. I reopen then close it properly.

Quote:

it's hard to grab just the edge of that hatch anyway. i rather not risk scratching the finish.

I totally agree. That's why I'd love to do it differently, but mine seems to be harder than yours. I can not lightly just help gravity.

I'll have to go out and test when my shocks start to grab and pull up.

kenchan · 06-13-2012, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonzo

If I recall, I think the manual says not to use it at all, even to touch it, because it could loosen up the way it's attached or something. Crap I don't remember from back in December.

I don't "PUSH" on anything either. I hate when people lightly drop their hood then push latch it shut. Guy at the dealer did it to the Z he was trying to sell me and I cringed. Or when their door doesn't close all the way they push on it to close it. No no, not for me. I reopen then close it properly.

I totally agree. That's why I'd love to do it differently, but mine seems to be harder than yours. I can not lightly just help gravity.

I'll have to go out and test when my shocks start to grab and pull up.

yah, im just preventing the hatch from bouncing off the stops when it closes really. no real force needed at all. ive not noticed anything change on mine. i do the same on the G as well. she's 8yrs old (original owner) and no issue.

Cmike2780 · 06-13-2012, 02:33 PM

Just drive. The downforce will close it for you.

Bonzo · 06-13-2012, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

yah, im just preventing the hatch from bouncing off the stops when it closes really. no real force needed at all. ive not noticed anything change on mine. i do the same on the G as well. she's 8yrs old (original owner) and no issue.

So how hard is yours to lift?

I'm sure these things are designed to be balanced just right so it's possible if its off it makes a difference. We've got Lamborghini Countach doors here.

I know Nissan made a big deal about how the original Murano hatch door was designed and produced from special materials to allow for (basically) old women to be able to both open and close it easily. The door is very light going up, and when coming down, you pull it lightly to a certain point, let go, and it basically closes itself from there. My Z hatch does NOT work like that.

anthonyy · 06-13-2012, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

ewww... no one grabs that.

I guess I'm unique in that way...

But seriously, what's wrong with using the metal latch? I just prefer not to ever touch my paint.

06-13-2012, 01:57 PM	#22 (permalink)
Viera Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 897 Drives: '09 M.Blue 370Z 6MT Rep Power: 264	I bring it down gently, then let it come on down on her own __________________ Fast Intentions / VarrsToen / Stillen / BC Racing / SPC / K&N / Project Kics / Hankook / Morimoto / JDM Rear Fog

06-13-2012, 02:33 PM	#28 (permalink)
Cmike2780 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 5,059 Drives: slowwww Rep Power: 28	Just drive. The downforce will close it for you. __________________ [09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R] [ArchitTEK Photography]

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06-13-2012, 01:57 PM	#21 (permalink)
MattP725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 1,904 Drives: 2010 40th Rep Power: 16	I use the inside of my knuckle to apply some pressure on the outside lip of the spoiler and have had no issues with flex or anything even remotely damaging the body. I am sure there is more force from the wind when driving at high speeds than there is from my 2-3 fingers I use. The manual prints things like that to avoid liability when some sasquatch rips the spoiler off.

06-13-2012, 02:01 PM	#23 (permalink)
SailFree Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Yorktown, VA Posts: 173 Drives: 12 370Z GM 7ATS NavS Rep Power: 13	1) Manual says DO NOT PRESS DOWN ON SPOILER. 2) If latch is a bit misaligned, slamming or dropping can cause hatch to warp a little. I think this happened to the hood of my Infiniti when I was selling it and let a guy drive it around for a half hour. I didn't notice till next morning. 3) The auto body experts I asked say to lower hood or hatch, make sure the latches are aligned, and then press down over the latch areas.

06-13-2012, 02:03 PM	#24 (permalink)
my2004Z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Mexico, USA Posts: 285 Drives: 09' 370Z w/Sport 7AT Rep Power: 37	I cross-body block the entire hatch Jimmy Superfly Snuka style!