OB hatch latch revisited

[Uncle Ben]

A month ago I proudly posted a solution to the Outback problem of not
being able to open the hatch door. I bought a rnew hatch/lock
assembly and install it myself. Problem solved?

No. The hatch freeze reasserted itself just yesterday.

To make a long story short, the problem was not with the innards of
the latch system but with the exterior. The handle on the outside is
spring-loaded. If the handle does not return fully to the
uncompressed position, the system once locked cannot be unlocked. I
tumbled to this fact after playing with the old assembly in my kitchen
for a half-hour.

It makes sense: the exterior is open to the weather and to corrosion.
When the hinges on the handle get a little stiff after a eight or nine
winters, the handle does not return fully down to the relaxed
position. Force it down a bit, and you may be able to open the hatch.

With more trouble, you can adjust the coupling between the handle and
its actuator rod. The end of the rod is threaded for this purpose, and
if you can get the coupling nut off (horizontally), you may be able to
adjust the effective length of the rod and solve the problem.

Pennsylvania Dutch saying: Ve get too soon old and too late shmart.

Uncle Ben

 

[kapjim]

A month ago I proudly posted a solution to the Outback problem of not
being able to open the hatch door. I bought a rnew hatch/lock
assembly and install it myself. Problem solved?

No. The hatch freeze reasserted itself just yesterday.

To make a long story short, the problem was not with the innards of
the latch system but with the exterior. The handle on the outside is
spring-loaded. If the handle does not return fully to the
uncompressed position, the system once locked cannot be unlocked. I
tumbled to this fact after playing with the old assembly in my kitchen
for a half-hour.

It makes sense: the exterior is open to the weather and to corrosion.
When the hinges on the handle get a little stiff after a eight or nine
winters, the handle does not return fully down to the relaxed
position. Force it down a bit, and you may be able to open the hatch.

Always works for me, as noted earlier. If you also turn the key to the
lock position.

 

[synthius2002]

So, I finally start working on the hatch, I get the shop manual from
the library, it says "carefully pry the plastic retainers off with a
small screwdriver". Actually, I used my old army p-38. It even has a
picture of the prying. Now, what happens next? I didn't want to risk
breaking anything, since, although it's a 97 outback, it's still
pretty nice.

Does the grey fuzzy panel slide down from the darker hard plastic
around the bottom of the window?
Do the 2 parts stay together?
Am I supposed to carefully pry the part from the window? In what
direction?

If I sound wimpy here, remember I don't want to bust the thing.

Nils K. Hammer

 

[Uncle Ben]

So, I finally start working on the hatch, I get the shop manual from
the library, it says "carefully pry the plastic retainers off with a
small screwdriver". Actually, I used my old army p-38. It even has a
picture of the prying. Now, what happens next? I didn't want to risk
breaking anything, since, although it's a 97 outback, it's still
pretty nice.

Does the grey fuzzy panel slide down from the darker hard plastic
around the bottom of the window?
Do the 2 parts stay together?
Am I supposed to carefully pry the part from the window? In what
direction?

If I sound wimpy here, remember I don't want to bust the thing.

Nils K. Hammer

The fuzzy interior panel comes out by being pried out in the direction
of the front of the car. (If you bust the thing, throw it away. You
probably wont.)

Did you trying working first from the exterior? Press the handle
forcibly down toward the ground and try unlocking with the key. Only
if that doesn't work do you need to dig into the interior. If it does
work, lubricate the external hinges on the handle.

 

[Uncle Ben]

The fuzzy interior panel comes out by being pried out in the direction
of the front of the car. (If you bust the thing, throw it away. You
probably wont.)

Did you trying working first from the exterior? Press the handle
forcibly down toward the ground and try unlocking with the key.  Only
if that doesn't work do you need to dig into the interior. If it does
work, lubricate the external hinges on the handle.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Now that I understand your question better, the gray fuzzy part and
the dark plastic part are one piece. The dark plastic part carries the
fasteners.

Uncle Ben

 

[synthius2002]

Now that I understand your question better, the gray fuzzy part and
the dark plastic part are one piece. The dark plastic part carries the
fasteners.

Okay, one piece, that's what I needed to know.
Now, the fasteners were all 6 of 'em down at the bottom.
The dark smooth plastic part is up in contact with the rear window.
I'll do some more prying then.

Thanks,

Nils