Does anybody have a cheap fix for the pull down hatch mechanism? I am getting frustrated finding one I can just go out and buy. And I don't want a used one that may just break in a few weeks (been there, done that). Is there a way to convert it to non-motor? I was just at a junk yard, and both had the non-motorized unit. I guess it just takes an extra effort to close it tight, but does it seal correctly, and does it fit? Anyone have an answer? I need it before the hurricane gets up here in a couple days. I don't want another pond in my hatch area!

I have an 86 Z28, 305ci, 4bbl, 5spd. tks.

 

If your motor still works why not just a get a rebuild kit from Lon over at Top Down Solutions. Runs about $80 I think. It comes with new slides and all the wearable items.
HTH
Chris

 

What part of your's is broken? I just went through this same thing a month ago. I have my old one now in case you want it. But the plastic case for the motor is dead. I drove with my hatch 3 inches higher than when it is closed becuase thats as low as it went and no water got in at all. It just looked rediculous. Why not just somehow block unit from sliding up once it is all the way down, or as far down as the hatch thing reaches?

 

I had it as far down as I could that I had to slam it to latch it. But when it rans very hard, I get a pond in the back. Never leaked before it broke. Now I goofed with it trying to figure what is wrong with it and it's not as tight. I also thought about a rebuilt kit, but I can see part of the casing is cracked. And when I pulled the motor, the brushes don't look like there is much life left. So I just wasted 250 some bucks and got a remanufactured one. So I ordered it rush today from here

So I can have it in hopefully before the hurrican hits if it does.

I also checked out 2 camaro's at a junk yard and both of then had the non-motorized latches. They get pulled fast at them places it seems when they are the motor type.

 

I got mine from USADEALS1 on ebay and he screwed me. The unit was broken. I am sure there is an honest dealer on ebay, I could have gotten a working one for $50 from a guy around here.

 

You can get the parts or the whole motor if you want, but it can be fixed to shut like a regular hatch.

I disassembled the motor & housing off of mine, & then closed the hatch & placed weight on top. I then got inside the car & drilled a couple of holes into the metal & screwed in 2 "set screws" to hold the latch part down.

It closes & seals just as tight if not tighter than before & no motor or plastic housing to screw up.

 

That's a good idea. But then my wife said she doesn't want to deal with slamming it. LOL. Oh well.