Help a lady out...My Goon Hatch won't stay up - Torsion bar issue? Please help?

[Angela]

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:

[Rustina 510]

Mine stays up but I've never taken it apart?

 

Have any pictures of the car?

[Guest 510kamikazifreak]

They need to be "wound"(only term I could thing of) To get the spring action.

[ggzilla]

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.

[ggzilla]

Suggestion: Unscrew the plastic cover, then take some photos from different angles, and post the photos here. We will advise further.

 

[Angela]

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

[Duncan]

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?

[Angela]

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 : )

[darrel]

If it took your eye out, where's your patch? arrggg!

 

 

 

Obviously this is a joke if it really did take your eye out.

[ggzilla]

Great news! With a little TLC, Datsun saves. Even 40 years later.

[420n620]

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 :)

[Angela]

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

[Rays74]

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....