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How to Support the back Hatch

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Old 11-13-2006, 05:02 AM
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How to Support the back Hatch

I have to disconnect the structs on the hatch as I need to align the metal part of the hatch. What is the best way to support the hatch while the structs are off. I was thinking of putting two tires under the glass and letting it rest on that or does it need to be supported from the edges. I don't know how fragile the glass is and don't want risk breaking it.

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Old 11-13-2006, 07:49 AM
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This idea doesnt work if you dont have some crutches laying around...however i have a few from old injuries that I keep. They are the aluminum type, that have adjustable leg lengths. They have big soft rubber feet. I use two of them, upside down. Put the shoulder part down in the lowest portion of the hatch, and put the feet under the glass. The legs being adjustable means you can hold the hatch at different heights. Might not be the perfect solution, but Ive never hurt the glass or the hatch by doing it.

Justin
Old 11-13-2006, 08:11 AM
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I have held it in the past with pieces of wood but if they go then the hatch slams down and the glass could break.
Old 11-13-2006, 09:33 AM
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he can help you hold it
Old 11-13-2006, 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by ghettocruiser
This idea doesnt work if you dont have some crutches laying around...however i have a few from old injuries that I keep. They are the aluminum type, that have adjustable leg lengths. They have big soft rubber feet. I use two of them, upside down. Put the shoulder part down in the lowest portion of the hatch, and put the feet under the glass. The legs being adjustable means you can hold the hatch at different heights. Might not be the perfect solution, but Ive never hurt the glass or the hatch by doing it.

Justin
That's actually a pretty decent way, I should try that next time given I have a few crutches from my numerous injuries
Old 11-13-2006, 12:20 PM
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if you have something like a milkcrate/whatever they call them these days, they work really well with a heavy blanket/moving pad on top, this will hold up the glass, just place it on the floor of the trunk(above the gas tank, not the deep well. I do this when I'm trying to fix the hatch seal, etc. it usually keeps the hatch open about 10-12". Using the blanket spreads the loading over the whole glass. I suppose a strong/undented cardboard box would do the same thing.
Old 11-13-2006, 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by I-rocin


he can help you hold it
Old 11-13-2006, 04:10 PM
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A decent size cardboard box in the back usually does the trick for me, just sit it on the carpet and let the hatch rest on it.
Old 11-15-2006, 06:24 AM
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Thanks guys, I will use a box of some sort under the glass with some padding between the two.

Thanks.
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