Angela Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 Hello all, This is my 1st help question so hoping someone will be willing to help a lady out... When I 1st got my '71 wagon about a year & a half ago, one of the hinges were bent on the back hatch so it was slightly misaligned, but not bad. The guy that sold it to me used a broom handle to prop it up & I've grown tired of having to be so careful around it if I have it propped because it'd be sure to do some bodily harm if it slammed down on someone accidentally. I searched & searched for a replacement hinge & finally found one & installed it myself. I'm a total newbie but enjoy the hell out of & live by the "learn by doing" mentality. I "learned" that torsion bars can be dangerous & nearly cracked my skull & took my eye out after releasing one of the last bolts on the hinge (go ahead & laugh...it's funny...NOW) but anyway, after putting it all back the hatch STILL won't stay up & truthfully, it feels like it's got bricks in it...it's so heavy. Are my torsion bars reversed? worn out? They seem in good shape but I could be wrong, obviously. I'd appreciate any advice any of you seasoned, senior members (or fellow newbies that are in-the-know) might give me about this issue. Many thanks in advance... Angela :thumbup: Quote Link to comment
Rustina 510 Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 Mine stays up but I've never taken it apart? Have any pictures of the car? Quote Link to comment
Guest 510kamikazifreak Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 They need to be "wound"(only term I could thing of) To get the spring action. Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 It's happened to many of us, hit by springs or otherwise. I once had a battery smack the side of my head as it flew 25 feet into the air. The hatch torsion bar might be installed incorrectly. I haven't heard or them wearing out, but I suppose it could happen. it's a little tricky to install them correctly. Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 Suggestion: Unscrew the plastic cover, then take some photos from different angles, and post the photos here. We will advise further. Quote Link to comment
Angela Posted June 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 Thank you ALL so much for your willingness to help & suggestions! I will snap a few pics & post them soon for feedback Take care & God Bless y'all Angela Quote Link to comment
Duncan Posted June 4, 2012 Report Share Posted June 4, 2012 Also note, there is a left and right bar. I had a broken rod on my goon when I got it and dealt with fixing it. I don't recall the difference between the two, and my goon is a 100 miles or so away, or I would snap some photos. Do you have a suitable tool to put the rods back in? Quote Link to comment
Angela Posted June 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2012 Hello all...thank you so very much for your valuable input & advice. Thanks to a local fellow Datsun enthusiast & all-around great guy Mr. Shiloh Rocha (senior member?) my torsion bars are installed properly & my hatch stays up! He also adjusted my valves & gave me a wealth of advice on how to keep my little wagon purring away. So...the next thing is to find an electronic distributor & locate a peanut head to start building on! Any and all input, advice, thoughts, warnings, and even jokes are welcome! Feeling thankful & blessed that my wagon will see more road soon : ) 2 Quote Link to comment
darrel Posted June 9, 2012 Report Share Posted June 9, 2012 If it took your eye out, where's your patch? arrggg! Obviously this is a joke if it really did take your eye out. Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted June 9, 2012 Report Share Posted June 9, 2012 Great news! With a little TLC, Datsun saves. Even 40 years later. Quote Link to comment
420n620 Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 Thanks to a local fellow Datsun enthusiast & all-around great guy Mr. Shiloh Rocha (senior member?) my torsion bars are installed properly & my hatch stays up! Can you or Mr. Shiloh Rocha explain how this was done for future reference so others will know. Wouldn't want someone getting a eye poked out. :sweat: 2-17-2013 edit: another thread that will have no answer. no wonder peeps have a hard time finding answers to their questions. 8-24-2015 and the thread lives on. Thanks for reviving :) Quote Link to comment
Angela Posted August 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 I'm going to work on putting together a "How To" for this topic as I'd forgotten all about it (sorry) & know someone having the same trouble I once had. Bear with me...it may be awhile since my buddy Shiloe works a lot & it's a challenge to connect. Stay tuned : ) Angela 1 Quote Link to comment
Rays74 Posted August 24, 2015 Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 I'm going to work on putting together a "How To" for this topic as I'd forgotten all about it (sorry) & know someone having the same trouble I once had. Bear with me...it may be awhile since my buddy Shiloe works a lot & it's a challenge to connect. Stay tuned : ) Angela Thanks, I'm dealing with the exact same prob on my '72 :) Standing by.... Quote Link to comment
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