Hatch Removal

[maddhatter]

My car was recently backed into and broke the spoiler and small glass in the hatch. I found a replacement in the local salvage yard, but and not quite sure if there is more to removal than meets the eye. It appears to be just 4 10mm nuts holding the hatch attached to the car plus the shocks, but when I tried to get the nuts off they wont budge. Mind you there is only enough room to use a small wrench to get in there as I was not able to get a socket in there because of the angle. I am wondering if the nuts are really meant to come off or if you have to get to it from the outside somehow and turn the bolt out of the nuts. I am only thinking this because the nuts seem to be frozen or welded on on my hatch and thought they should have been easier to remove than this. Maybe there is a trick to it? Thanks in advance.

[Dragyn Vyrus]

the only things i am aware of are the struts a wiring harness and some nuts(however i don't remember them being 10mm) located at the very top of the hatch/roof. just reef on them they come off.

[Savin]

If you can't get to the 4 nuts on the hatch itself, you can easily get to the 4 that are on the actual car. You might have to remove the headliner, I don't remember.

[maddhatter]

Well, after even spraying with PB blaster 3 of the 4 nuts won't come off and one actually broke apart while I was trying to remove it. They are on there for good for now, seemingly corroded onto the fastners for some reason. Anyway, since my main glass is untouched my only real issue is to replace the spoiler on the hatch and replace the clear glass in back of it that runs from side to side. I think what I am going to try to do instead is just replace the spoiler and glass from the good one in the yard instead of trying to replace the hatch as a whole now, even though is would have been much simpler and easier if my hatch came off easily. After a quick check it looks like all I have to do is remove the interior hatch trim and the third brake light and there are mounting bolts that hold the spoiler on. Hopefully this will be as easy and simple as it looks....



92 MX3 V6 Black Beauty

[Savin]

The spoiler is easy to remove. And since the nuts that hold on the spoiler are covered, there really shouldn't be any corrosion on those. As for the back glass: I've never removed it so I can't help there...

[fowljesse]

I have the OEM glass and spoiler, if you want them.

[maddhatter]

Hey thanks, but I found one here in the east coast that is good in one of the local salvage yards.

[Mx3forever]

I know this is an older post but just wanted to reply since I'm dealing with removing the hatch to paint.

I have removed one of these hatches before from inside the car, yes you have to remove the rear headliner. You can then get a socket into the
hole where the nuts are located.

However, on this car I just now removed them from the outside. I sprayed them with PB Blaster and gave them each a few taps with a hammer (That part people often overlook). After that I used a very small (what is it a 11mm?) wrench with a big cheater bar. You have to position the little wrench off to one side of each nut so you can keep it tight and straight when the cheater bar is applied. If you just came out straight with the wrench you would likely not be straight on the nut because the edge of the hatch is in the way. Careful, If you do not line it up straight, you will likely start stripping the nut.

You can go far enough with the cheater to just loosen them up enough to do the rest with the wrench. Looks like they are partly painted on, but yes they do come off.

Hope this helps the next guy.

[MrMazda92]

Hmm, mine always vibrate loose and start rattling. Never had a problem tightening or loosening them... Weird!

[Mx3forever]

"Hmm, mine always vibrate loose and start rattling. Never had a problem tightening or loosening them... Weird!"

Sounds like you may need some of that blue screw and nut sealant, prevents them from rattling loose.