[Xmsteel]

Hi,

I wanted to know if there was any way to fix (or make an attempt to) a bent trunk. Apparently it was rear-ended by the previous owner and they had the bumper replaced, but not the trunk.

When it rains really hard or I wash it, it leaks, and also has a huge gap big enough to stick your hand in. It also seems to be twisted slightly, but I'm not so worried about that.

Is there a way to kind of flatten it out so it isn't bent up so much, without taking it to a body shop or buying a new trunk lid? Thanks!

Attached, Pics (click links please):

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17388159/1nissent.JPG
^ The twist (camera is straight, trunk is not!)

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17388159/3nissent.JPG
^ Full Damage

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17388159/2nissent.JPG
^ Main Gap

 

[i68k]

normally you can take the panel off and bend it certain ways, or use a rubber mallet and form it in some ways. but that doesnt look bad, but i can why youre getting rain inside. from the way it looks, you may end up making it worse trying to bend this back into shap.

the only thing i can think of is to adjust your trunk latch, the receiving end, bolted behind the bumper inside the tunk, is slightly adjustable, maybe you can move it down enough for the trunk to seal? otherwise, buy a weatherstrip and put it on the top side of the rear quarter where the trunk leaks.

 

[Xmsteel]

Thanks for the reply. I took a look and I guess I didn't understand what you meant. When I press down on the trunk when closed on the right side, it pushes into the correct spot, but if I let go it goes back to the gap. Is there a way to adjust is from the actual trunk hinge/arm?

Edit: Oh, I understand what you mean now. I was thinking something else. If I adjusted that, would it affect the whole trunk though, and cause the other normal side to push in too tight?

 

[i68k]

the trunk lid uses the two arms, one on each side, and those torsion bars. the only other point of contact is the latch.

 

[Xmsteel]

the trunk lid uses the two arms, one on each side, and those torsion bars. the only other point of contact is the latch.

Right, so can you adjust one of the arms or just the latch?

 

[i68k]

i dont believe the arms are adjustable. but you can bend them, they are only metal, again, you may make it worse if you dont know what youre doing.

the trunk lid sits on rubber stoppers, if you lower the latch it will put more pressure, but the pressure will slightly level out the trunk lid since one rubber is already compressing. but it depends on h9ow twisted your trunk is

 

[Xmsteel]

Alright, I adjusted the latch (both bolts were so loose I could unscrew them with my fingers) and moved it as far down as it could go. That actually did the trick! It pulled that side pretty darn close to how its suppose to be, and I cant fit my fingers in the gap anymore!

Heck, I even almost got it to pop open with the remote, the spring is really sticky and weak so it doesn't work unless I move it around until its right, but its definitely progress.

Thanks a lot!