Uneven Cabrio Trunk Lid Help

[twothrees]

My trunk lid is uneven due to the one strut used in the 87-88 cabrio trunk lids. I have the correct spring# 51 24 8 103 180 but it jacks up the left side and bugs the crap out of me.

My current fix is removing the spring, now it sits level. But, that is not a fix I like. I guess I could fashion a mount for the other side and use two springs like BMW eventually did. I hope someone else may have some input.

Thanks

[Wishno87]

i am having the exact same problem. Right now i just removed the shock that holds it up. Mine is soo bad though that the side that is low is rubbing on my freshly painted Groupie tails when i shut it and scuffing up the top edge. My dad has a late vert with two shocks so im planning on using his as a model to eventually make a two shock solution to mine as well.

[george graves]

You might try grabbing the trunk and twisting it. Sounds weird I know - but I've seen body shop guys do this before.

[twothrees]

i am having the exact same problem. Right now i just removed the shock that holds it up. Mine is soo bad though that the side that is low is rubbing on my freshly painted Groupie tails when i shut it and scuffing up the top edge. My dad has a late vert with two shocks so im planning on using his as a model to eventually make a two shock solution to mine as well.

Wishno87,

The shocks on your Dad's vert have a different part number. I wonder if they are shorter than ours? Could you "borrow" one from your Dad's car and see how it fits? I was thinking a shock, shorter in length would work. Please let me know.

Doug

[twothrees]

You might try grabbing the trunk and twisting it. Sounds weird I know - but I've seen body shop guys do this before.

I tried it, but maybe not hard enough. I guess bending the lower tab where the shock attaches may work. Thanks.

[Wishno87]

So i went outside to investigate the matter and found that the shocks on my dads car are exactly the same length as mine. The only difference i found was that each shock was not strong enough to hold the lid up alone. Likely because they are both the original shocks and mine was purchased new a few years ago. I think the only solution is to add another shock like late model verts so the lid is held up evenly on both sides.

Passenger trunk shock on late model E30 vert



Upper passenger side shock mount



I am not happy with this:evil:

[87Blue325iC]

Yep - bugs me too! Hate not using the shock - that trunk lid is heavier than it looks, slams down hard without the shock to dampen it.

[Wishno87]

Yep - bugs me too! Hate not using the shock - that trunk lid is heavier than it looks, slams down hard without the shock to dampen it.

Ya it going to be even heavier soon after i put a tech 1 wing on it:p I do like how when you have the shock on the entire trunk lid opens up with the touch of a button.

[twothrees]

I am going to replace the passenger side trunk hinge with one from a 90+ cabrio. I just emailed a guy who is parting a 91 cabrio. The lower mounting tab shouldn't be too much of a problem. I believe the later shocks will be needed too as our early single shock may be too stiff.

I'll update this thread when I get all the parts together.

Doug

[VacMan]

I took a bit of a different approach. I unbloted the trunk hinge from the trunk lid on the passenger side and used washers for spacers to bring that corner even with the driver's side. It took me a while, but now both of them sit evenly and you can't see the spacers when everything is assembled.

Tim

[davestlouis]

Mine looks awful too, now I have a leak around that stupid stop lamp, one little dribble of water is getting in.

[87Blue325iC]

I took a bit of a different approach. I unbloted the trunk hinge from the trunk lid on the passenger side and used washers for spacers to bring that corner even with the driver's side. It took me a while, but now both of them sit evenly and you can't see the spacers when everything is assembled.

Tim

Any leaks from the trunk gasket after doing this?

[VacMan]

Any leaks from the trunk gasket after doing this?

Nope, afaik. The only time my cabrio gets wet is when I wash it though, so that's been like 4 times since I got it. It sits under a cover 99% of the time. :D To be honest, I'd be surprised if it did. I only shimmed it 1/8" or so, if that.