Has Anyone Else Disconnected Their Hatch Shocks?

choinga · 08-23-2009, 10:38 PM

When I first bought my car one of the first things I did was delete the rear wiper. It helped make the hatch stay open - the shocks are original and wouldn't hold the weight of the hatch with the wiper motor.

I get a little rattle from the hatch now and it looks as if at some point a PO put some goop up on the top part of the hatch - not a complete reseal of course - but it's apparently been a problem before.

I'm curious if it's worth just removing the shocks altogether. I don't put stuff back there that often...golf clubs, a few bags from home depot or the grocery store so it wouldn't be a hassle. Just don't know if that will make it any worse...or better?

FWIW, my local Porsche shop here has a few hatches that are completely re-done - just would have to pull mine off and put the new one on. The guy who runs the place said when they get slow they'll pull glass off old ones and reseal them so that they have a few laying around in case. They charge $1k - is that reasonable? I know that thing is a total PITA and if I even tried to do it myself I'm sure there's at least a 50% chance I'd break the glass...

fbgh2o · 08-23-2009, 10:49 PM

You will find the hatch heavy without them.

Quote:

They charge $1k - is that reasonable?

Seems high to me, but then it is a scarce commodity. I am looking at a "perfect" original one here for $400 CDN, but the risk is how long until it delaminates...

Thing I will just reseal (again) with silicone.

jsaindc · 08-23-2009, 11:15 PM

FWIW, I had a rattle and squeak from my hatch on my 87. Once I replaced both hatch struts the rattle and squeak went away.

choinga · 08-23-2009, 11:28 PM

I've heard/read that new ones will accelerate the seperation since the shock is basically pushing/pulling on the glass itself?? I bought a new set months ago and then after reading a bunch decided not to install them because of that.

pearldrum944 · 08-23-2009, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choinga

I've heard/read that new ones will accelerate the seperation since the shock is basically pushing/pulling on the glass itself?? I bought a new set months ago and then after reading a bunch decided not to install them because of that.

Yes, stay away from the new struts. I installed a new set and it aided in ripping apart my hatch. I pulled a set that was still decent off of a parts car. I tried repairing the hatch but it kept separating. I ended up buying a late used hatch from Todd in Nashville and have not had any issues since.

The later hatches have a shaded section that keeps the sun from beating on the glue, eventually weakening it to allow it to separate...but you should have one of these.

choinga · 08-23-2009, 11:40 PM

yeah, i have that section but it's pretty obvious that a PO had done a little work up on the top line...It's OK for now and as little as I drive the car, I'm sure I'll be fine for awhile. I'm definitely not putting new shocks on it though - just debating whether or not removing them is worth the hassle of hoisting the deck with no mechanical help

pearldrum944 · 08-23-2009, 11:45 PM

Depends how often you use the hatch. They aren't too hard to detach, give it a try. But that thing is HEAVY. You could always try to find some weak ones at a salvage yard and just use them to "assist".

We tried gluing my hatch back together several times....several different ways. It would never stay for longer than 6 months, whatever porsche used was STRONG.

944Ross · 08-24-2009, 12:46 AM

For all the good they do, I still have the struts. It's no treat to have to use the key to unlock it and carry a stick around to prop it open. Really impresses the ladies, too! Fortunately, the same size stick works on the hood, too!

Wipeout · 08-24-2009, 12:53 AM

For what it's worth, one of the guys who runs in 944 cup deleted the shocks....he now has my old hatch. it opened up at speed (backwards), went past 90 degrees, and shattered into a million pieces.

944Ross · 08-24-2009, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wipeout

For what it's worth, one of the guys who runs in 944 cup deleted the shocks....he now has my old hatch. it opened up at speed (backwards), went past 90 degrees, and shattered into a million pieces.

Doesn't seem like the strut delete would be the cause... they don't hold the hatch down.

Wipeout · 08-24-2009, 01:03 AM

No, they don't. But, without them, there's nothing keeping it down.

I...though have a feeling the car going off track flexed the chassis and that popped the hatch loose.

M758 · 08-24-2009, 02:05 PM

I removed the on my 944 spec car. The hatch is very heavy and even worn struts help alot. Of course on my race car I rarely open the hatch at all.

08-23-2009, 10:38 PM	#1
choinga Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 980	Has Anyone Else Disconnected Their Hatch Shocks? When I first bought my car one of the first things I did was delete the rear wiper. It helped make the hatch stay open - the shocks are original and wouldn't hold the weight of the hatch with the wiper motor. I get a little rattle from the hatch now and it looks as if at some point a PO put some goop up on the top part of the hatch - not a complete reseal of course - but it's apparently been a problem before. I'm curious if it's worth just removing the shocks altogether. I don't put stuff back there that often...golf clubs, a few bags from home depot or the grocery store so it wouldn't be a hassle. Just don't know if that will make it any worse...or better? FWIW, my local Porsche shop here has a few hatches that are completely re-done - just would have to pull mine off and put the new one on. The guy who runs the place said when they get slow they'll pull glass off old ones and reseal them so that they have a few laying around in case. They charge $1k - is that reasonable? I know that thing is a total PITA and if I even tried to do it myself I'm sure there's at least a 50% chance I'd break the glass... __________________ 1987 Guards Red 951 - SFR 3" exhaust, Vitesse MAF w/ 83# injectors, Tial 38mm, Lindsey MBC, Spec Clutch w/ Fidanza flywheel, Big Brake Kit w/ Drilled Rotors, Koni shocks, 17" Michelin PS2's on Fikse FM5's, Saratoga Sunroof.

08-23-2009, 11:15 PM	#3
jsaindc Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern VA Posts: 878	FWIW, I had a rattle and squeak from my hatch on my 87. Once I replaced both hatch struts the rattle and squeak went away. __________________ 1990 944 S2 Cab 2002 996 Cab-Sacrificed 2000 Boxster-Gone 1987 944-Gone and missed every day

08-23-2009, 11:28 PM	#4
choinga Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 980	I've heard/read that new ones will accelerate the seperation since the shock is basically pushing/pulling on the glass itself?? I bought a new set months ago and then after reading a bunch decided not to install them because of that. __________________ 1987 Guards Red 951 - SFR 3" exhaust, Vitesse MAF w/ 83# injectors, Tial 38mm, Lindsey MBC, Spec Clutch w/ Fidanza flywheel, Big Brake Kit w/ Drilled Rotors, Koni shocks, 17" Michelin PS2's on Fikse FM5's, Saratoga Sunroof.

08-23-2009, 11:40 PM	#6
choinga Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 980	yeah, i have that section but it's pretty obvious that a PO had done a little work up on the top line...It's OK for now and as little as I drive the car, I'm sure I'll be fine for awhile. I'm definitely not putting new shocks on it though - just debating whether or not removing them is worth the hassle of hoisting the deck with no mechanical help __________________ 1987 Guards Red 951 - SFR 3" exhaust, Vitesse MAF w/ 83# injectors, Tial 38mm, Lindsey MBC, Spec Clutch w/ Fidanza flywheel, Big Brake Kit w/ Drilled Rotors, Koni shocks, 17" Michelin PS2's on Fikse FM5's, Saratoga Sunroof.

08-24-2009, 12:46 AM	#8
944Ross Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Rio Rancho NM (ABQ) Posts: 778	For all the good they do, I still have the struts. It's no treat to have to use the key to unlock it and carry a stick around to prop it open. Really impresses the ladies, too! Fortunately, the same size stick works on the hood, too! __________________ '86 944/2 ..........'52 Ford F-1.......... '91 H-D FXRS-C '94 Mustang GT.......... '69 Triumph Bonneville

08-23-2009, 11:45 PM	#7
pearldrum944 Super User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murfreesboro, TN/Trumbull, CT Posts: 3,000	Depends how often you use the hatch. They aren't too hard to detach, give it a try. But that thing is HEAVY. You could always try to find some weak ones at a salvage yard and just use them to "assist". We tried gluing my hatch back together several times....several different ways. It would never stay for longer than 6 months, whatever porsche used was STRONG.

08-24-2009, 12:53 AM	#9
Wipeout Not Special Rennlist Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,535	For what it's worth, one of the guys who runs in 944 cup deleted the shocks....he now has my old hatch. it opened up at speed (backwards), went past 90 degrees, and shattered into a million pieces. __________________ Darren Wipeout 1989 944 S2 Baltic Blue/Linen Wrecked and missed: 1985/1 944 The Great Rennlist H4 Lighting Roundup

08-24-2009, 01:03 AM	#11
Wipeout Not Special Rennlist Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,535	No, they don't. But, without them, there's nothing keeping it down. I...though have a feeling the car going off track flexed the chassis and that popped the hatch loose. __________________ Darren Wipeout 1989 944 S2 Baltic Blue/Linen Wrecked and missed: 1985/1 944 The Great Rennlist H4 Lighting Roundup

08-24-2009, 02:05 PM	#12
M758 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Phoenix, Az Posts: 12,982	I removed the on my 944 spec car. The hatch is very heavy and even worn struts help alot. Of course on my race car I rarely open the hatch at all. __________________ Joe P. 88 944 Turbo S - 100% Stock ++++++++ 84 - 944 Spec #94 Red/White Arizona Region 944Spec Director - Az 944 Spec Champion 02/03, 2006 - 2nd Az Region 944 Spec 2003,2004,2008, 2009 4th - 2009 NASA Nationals - Fastest 944 spec lap at Miller Nationals - 2.19.282 (Sat Warm-up)