Grabber trunk alignment

Discussion in 'Technical' started by HarleyGA, Jul 11, 2020.

  1. HarleyGA

    HarleyGA Member

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    Is there a trick fitting the trunk lid properly? I have excellent alignment on both sides where the trunk lid meets the rear glass. I can’t seem to get the lid flush at the bottom. The spoiler is about 3/16 to 1/4 inch higher than the end caps. The lid itself is not quite flush with the fenders. If I press down hard on the lid I can get everything to line up. I used up all of the adjustments on the latch assembly and the end caps are as high as I can make them go.
     
  2. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    I had the same problem. found that the trunk spring rod was putting too much tension on one side of the trunk. released all the tension on the rod and installed a "gas shock". this was an idea I got from Jeff...thanks Jeff...:Handshake:
     
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  3. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

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    The end cap tops very seldom lined up perfectly with the spoiler top from the factory. Just part of the normal mass production of the early 70's.
     
  4. HarleyGA

    HarleyGA Member

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    Thanks! Going to give that a try!
    Yes i
    Yes I understand that the trunk often times did not line up as they came from the factory yet I have seen scores of restorations where something was done to give a perfect fit. This is my goal.
     
  5. HarleyGA

    HarleyGA Member

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    I removed all of the tension as you suggested. This helped a little but hope I can get the alignment A little closer.
     
  6. Craig Selvey

    Craig Selvey Indiana State Rep - MCCI

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    The rubber "bumper" on the end of the trunk lid: On the high side, cut it down some and see if that helps. I have done that before.
     
  7. Fastkarz

    Fastkarz Member

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    I have adjusted the trunk lid, modified the rubber bumpers, still sits high on the passenger side and low on the drivers side.
     

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  8. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

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    Looking at the pictures, it seems like the spoiler itself is a bit higher on the right. What does the end gap look like? Is there more space between the spoiler and the decklid on the right compared to the left when looking at the ends with the trunk open?
     
  9. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    I was looking at the same thing...looks like the spoiler is not seated correctly.​
     
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  10. Fastkarz

    Fastkarz Member

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    You cant take up that gap by cranking down on the right side of the spoiler. Already did that.

    The whole trunk lid is twisted compared to the quarters.
    Exactly as HarleyGA stated "If I press down hard on the lid I can get everything to line up". Just push on passenger rear at spoiler and everything lines up nice.

    I think Frank and Jeff may have the right idea about the trunk spring rod tensioning the passenger side of the trunk lid.
     
  11. 73curtis

    73curtis Member

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    always comes down to bondo, or just adjust as best as possible .
    54D3635D-76F9-4A7E-B3BE-36E19B8D1C02.png A08C23F7-9637-4646-93E5-BA8A8208F55E.png
     
  12. Jaybee

    Jaybee Member

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    If you feel like the lid is a bit twisted you can put a block of wood under the low end of the lid to keep it from closing fully, then CAREFULLY give it a couple of bounces on the opposite end with your hand or forearm to see if you can tweak it just enough to bring it flat.
     
  13. 73curtis

    73curtis Member

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    That’s true just keep tweaking it however you can do it ,then grind fill and reshape as needed if you’re painting .if not be careful . I’ve never seen one line up perfect.
     
  14. Jaybee

    Jaybee Member

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    I think there was a lot less of it going on by the time Mavericks were built, but in earlier times auto workers routinely adjusted car bodies and things like door fit by waling on them with wood blocks and hand sledges, ladled lead over the top where necessary and filed it all smooth.
     
  15. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    funny you mentioned this.
    I was at one of our breakfast meets one Sat. morning in Atlanta Ga. and met an old school body Guy. a few of us were in the parking lot talking cars when he pulled in. I mentioned how much trouble I was having lining up my pass. door. he told me he could line it up for $10. I was interested in seeing how he would do it so I agreed.
    He hobbled back to his van and came back with a phone book about 2 and a half inches thick. by then a few of us had gathered around my car.
    not knowing what he was about to do I thought he was going to use the phone book as a knee pad. to our surprise he opened the door, stuck the book in the hinge side and started slamming the door on the book...:yikes:. He slammed the door about 3-4 times before I could tell him...THAT"S GOOD.
    I gave him the $10 and thanked him, not for the door being aligned but to just stop slamming my door on that book...:slap:
    that was one of them Maverick moments I want forget...:bouncy:
     
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