C-3 Lower Deck Lid Hinge Support

[Martin N.]

Has anyone run across this with their C-3 convertible before. I'm going to start restoration work on all the hardware of my 1974 Deck Lid and it's related parts and when pulling back the carpet I found what you see in the 2 pictures below. The R.R. hinge assembly (right picture) is fine but the L.R. (left picture) bottom is floating free from the support rusting away (you can see the rivet holes). I've looked in the AIM and they call it a "Hinge Lower Reinforcement for the Folding Top". I doubt if this part is available. Just wondering if anyone else had this issue and how they corrected it. THANKS in advance.

Marty

[Joe L.]

Re: C-3 Lower Deck Lid Hinge Support

Has anyone run across this with their C-3 convertible before. I'm going to start restoration work on all the hardware of my 1974 Deck Lid and it's related parts and when pulling back the carpet I found what you see in the 2 pictures below. The R.R. hinge assembly (right picture) is fine but the L.R. (left picture) bottom is floating free from the support rusting away (you can see the rivet holes). I've looked in the AIM and they call it a "Hinge Lower Reinforcement for the Folding Top". I doubt if this part is available. Just wondering if anyone else had this issue and how they corrected it. THANKS in advance.

Marty

Marty-----


I've never encountered it but it doesn't surprise me. There must have been a water leak into the rear compartment which "puddled" in the area of the spring reinforcement. Over time, it severely corroded the reinforcement. The reinforcement configuration pictured is unique to 1971-75 Corvette convertibles; 68-70 used a different configuration which was less susceptible to corrosion damage. Why they changed, I do not know.

The GM pieces, GM #3995025, left side, and GM #3995026, right side, were discontinued in June, 1987. I think you'll have a very hard time finding any NOS pieces.

In any event, you're in luck. Vette Products of Michigan reproduces these reinforcements. It's their number 18147 and you have to specify right or left.

[Robert R.]

Re: C-3 Lower Deck Lid Hinge Support

Martin,
Just curious, did the bolt snap while you were working on the interior, or was it an existing situation?
Did the deck close "too easy" or did it take a few times before it would be in the right position?
Bob

[Martin N.]

Re: C-3 Lower Deck Lid Hinge Support

JOE & ROBERT-

Joe- THANKS for the part # and the manufacturer of the replacement piece, I'll see if I can get a hold of them tomorrow.

Robert- The situation was existing, never touched anything other than the carpet today. I pulled the carpet back to remove the hinge / spring assemblies for restoration and the pictures show what I found. The deck lid closed fine, BUT when you opened it to fold the top down you had to force the Deck Lid towards the rear of the car to get the top to clear the lid. This just started to happened in 2008. I should've suspected something.

I'd like to know if anyone else has seen this?

Marty

[Martin N.]

Re: C-3 Lower Deck Lid Hinge Support

JOE-

Thanks for the info and web site. Part was ordered this mornin'.

Marty

[Robert R.]

Re: C-3 Lower Deck Lid Hinge Support

Marty,
Does your car have AC?
And if not, do you also have the Astro Ventiliation duct work in it?
If so you may need to look at that area for some type of water leak that may have been the cause of the rusting.
Bob

[Martin N.]

Re: C-3 Lower Deck Lid Hinge Support

BOB-

Yes my car does have A/C and the drain system back there will be looked at when I get into it further. Tomorrow my brother is coming over to help pull off the deck lid and work on getting the hinge assemblies out.

So what do you think about the other HOT thread regarding a members picture site / board?

Marty

[Robert R.]

Re: C-3 Lower Deck Lid Hinge Support

If the current setup could accomodate the extra memory needed, I would be all for it. Over the years, my research was to go to car shows, scoping out a similar vettes at car dealerships and the such. With this type of setup being available, it would serve as a great starting point.

BTW - if you should need a helping hand, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you recall, I live in Schaumburg, not that far from your town.
Bob

[Martin N.]

Re: C-3 Lower Deck Lid Hinge Support

BOB-
Thanks for the "help" offer, I just might take ya up on it, a helping hand is always welcome around here. You never know, I've only owned the vette for 7 years and am lacking in experiance, although I used to be a Buick line tech back in the 70's and 80's and know a little about mechanic's. But Buicks aren't Corvettes.

Your's is a 73 right? I'd like to see some pictures of you deck lid and it's weatherstrip and related items. Maybe when you get some time you could e-mail me some photo's.

Did you put your's away for winter yet, we had snow flurries out here Sunday & Monday afternoon, unbelievable!

Marty

[Robert R.]

Re: C-3 Lower Deck Lid Hinge Support

Marty,
Call anytime.
I will have to defer new pictures until my son brings his camera over. Mine ended up with a relative (don't need to tell this one now).
Yes, it is a '73,with AC and Rear Defoger motor. If the weather holds up, I still take it out. My younger son wants to hit our church parking lot on the first snow for "donuts". I just may do it if it snow looks good (at night).

Bob

[Harmon C.]

Re: C-3 Lower Deck Lid Hinge Support

Martin
The repair you need to do can be done with the springs and hinges in place. The passenger side is a four hour job each way to both remove and install the hinge assembly. With a standard 1/4 inch drive ratchet you get one click movement sometimes on the bolts. A shorter ratchet could help but plan on some skin on your fingers to be removed.

[Martin N.]

Re: C-3 Lower Deck Lid Hinge Support

LYLE-

OH yea, this is alotta fun! I removed the upper hinge inboard bolt with no major problems, but the outboard bolt, oh man that baby is really rusted in. I've used all kinds of wrench, rachet and socket combinations to break it free but there's so little tool swing that it's nearly impossible. I've tried to remove the rusted bottom bolt from the hinge and what's left of the lower support but the hinge is so flimsy (even when using oversized slip-joint pliers to stabilize it) it just twists.

I was thinking of making up some kind of tray to that I could put penetrating oil in and let that lower bolt soak for a few days. Have you or anyone else out there tackled one of these support replacements before? Any tips would be appreciated.

Marty