Replacing boot lid MK3 - advice needed

Technical Area Body, Interior & Styling
2

I’m just about to replace the boot lid on my MK3 (when the replacement arrives later today).

I’ve removed the wiring for the rear lamps easily enough, and it looks like just a simple job to unbolt the old lid from the hinges, bolt the new one on, align it, replace the lamps and off we go.

But is it really that simple?

Does anyone know of anything I need to be aware of e.g. 'owt hidden, a trick to line-up the new lid, any issues with the lock  etc.?

Many thanks - Richard.

3

Hi Richard, it looks pretty straight forward as you say, it’s covered well in the manual on Mellens excellent site, with gap dimensions etc if needed, http://www.mellens.net/mazda/Mazda-Miata-2006-2007/body_panels.pdf

4

Rich M’s lead was very useful, but …

I can’t get the gap at the rear quite right, it’s appears “Open” by a couple of mill, and when you press on the back edge of the boot lid it goes down just the right amount! Technically, gaps a and b on the mellens sheet need to be smaller http://www.mellens.net/mazda/Mazda-Miata-2006-2007/body_panels.pdf

It isn’t being pushed up by the buffers, I guess the striker needs adjusting. According to my Haynes manual (and googling other sites) I should be able to slacken the two bolts on the striker plate and move it around a bit - but it doesn’t move on either the boot lid I took off or the one I’ve put on!

Anyone know if I’m missing a trick?

5

I’ve just had a quick look at ours. All those 4 gaps are between 6 and 7mm. The boot lid striker has no adjustment as you say. Is the lock adjustable? I didn’t remove the trim to check but I guess it must adjust up and down to do what you need.

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Hi Richard, did you sort it?

7

Hi Richard

Is the striker facing the correct way? The bottom of the striker (the bit that catches in the lock) slopes down towards the rear of the vehicle by a few mm. (there is an arrow on the base pointing forward).

Richard

8

Yup striker is facing the right way (same way as on the lid I took off). I did think of turning it around but it looks as if it mates with the catch at an angle

Nope, not sorted yet - too busy driving the car! Will have a look next week - the way I see it either

  1. I increase the gap on the front edge beyond the prescribed limits and see if that works, but at present the alignment with the bodywork front-back is near perfect, or
  2. It adjusts (since I can't see anything else that does!) and I can move it down a coupe of mm, or
  3. Mr Scrote bent whatever it's mounted to and it doesn't adjust - in which case a bit of lateral thinking suggests maybe lengthening the bump stops and putting a bit of rubber strip on the bit of black plastic thats on the boot lid by the striker might do the trick!, or
  4. Drill out the striker plate mounting holes so that it does adjust! (I have a spare to play with)
Incidentally Autolink's service was first class - the lid came complete with the wiring harness still installed (and properly unplugged), the nuts screwed onto the mounting bolts, badges all in place, and the striker plate in place - all well packed in a huge box! Well done them I think. All I had to do was insert the lights, bolt it on and plug in the wiring. Plus maybe if I can get the "MX5" badge off the old lid I can convert the car back from a "Roadster"!
9

You could be right about Mr. Scrote, if the lock has adjustment, then Mr. Scrote may have shifted it or bent its mountings. I guess it is time to remove the rear boot lining.

Hope you sort it.

Richard.

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Yes it says “Loosen the trunk hinge installation nuts or the trunk lid lock striker installation screws, and adjust the trunk lid.” which sounds like it means the lower lock part. Possibly Mr Scrote has shifted the lock upwards on any adjustment with his prying so the lid sits high at the mo. The boot liner clips have a plastic “rivet” in the middle which are prised out with a jewellers screwdriver then the liners should come out easily enough.

11

Sorted - the adjustment is on the latch itself rather than the striker. V easy to adjust, 3 bolts. Panel must be very strong!

Photo here, you can see the 3 bolts, needs 10mm socket (same as the nuts on the boot lid)

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nice one Smile