How to - weight reduction & fix boot pop-up

[Kev T]

Hey guys, this is a DIY on how to get a bit more useless weight out of your car.

It can also be used to help fix hatch popping issues

 

There is a weight in the hatch lid to "help close" the hatch for (I'm assuming) petit women in Japan

 

Tools needed:

Pry tool

10mm Socket wrench

 

 

Step one: Remove the screws that hold the cargo hover to the hatch by lifting the cover:

 

 

 

 

Step two: Remove the 10mm screw

Step three: Repeat on other side

 

Step four: Use panel tool to pry around the hatch cover closest to you:

 

 

There are 8, equally spaced, orange clips holding the closest edge on:

 

 

Step five: Jam your hand in, you'll see some white clips holding the back in.

There are 5 (five) tabs

 

 

Step seven: Remove the 4 (four) 10mm screws holding this box on the hatch:

 

Step eight: Admire this stupid weight and put the panel back on the car.

 

 

I have weighed this ballast and it is 2.5 lbs, assuming you not completely weedy the hatch still closes easily with slightly more effort but pops open every time with one press of button, even with the fabric hatch cover attached to hooks.

[4RE Leather]

I asked the same question about how to save weight kev!

They said don't get in the car you fat bastard!

I was deeply hurt:(

Edited November 22, 2012 by 4RE Leather

[Jay]

I asked the same question about how to save weight kev!

They said don't get in the car you fat bastard!

I was deeply hurt:(

 

:lol:

[sparky370z]

Will be doing this soon. Thanks very much

[Kev T]

you're welcome, only takes about 10 minutes.

[sipar69]

Will be doing this soon. Thanks very much

 

+1 Great tip - the boot catch issue is a real pain.

[sparky370z]

Should have fixed this issue on the 370z. But if a joke really!

[Flex]

How many MPG's will this gain

[4RE Leather]

.0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001

[Kev T]

As much as that eh, interesting. But at least the hatch will open every time

[ioneabee]

had my "springs" re-done last year by the dealer - worked fine until now - I'm guessing the cold weather is affecting it

[Ebized]

Will be doing this soon. Thanks very much

 

Suggest you put the removed weight in a pocket Mark - I have visions of you hanging on the lid trying to shut it back down as you are hardly a great lump like the rest of us 370 owners

[Kev T]

I had my hatch springs replaced as well, it improved things but was never perfect particularly as you mention in the colder weather, but removing the counterweight sorts it all out !

[sparky370z]

Will be doing this soon. Thanks very much

 

Suggest you put the removed weight in a pocket Mark - I have visions of you hanging on the lid trying to shut it back down as you are hardly a great lump like the rest of us 370 owners

 

Oi! I'll get a big woman to shut it for me. LOL.

[ScottyZ]

Great idea! Just done this, took 15 mins and saves 1.2kg. I've also done a rear wiper delete including removing the wiper motor which takes the weight saving to about 3.5kg + the car looks better without the rear wiper imo. Rear hatch opens perfect and doesn't feel any different to close. Every little helps.

[4RE Leather]

It didn't save me any weight for over a week!

Thats how long it took me to find out that you have to actually remove it from the car

not leave it on the boot floor:)

[4RE Leather]

I didn't save anyweight for over a week when i took mine off!

Thats how long it took me to realise that you have to remove it from the car,

not leave it loose on the boot floor:)

[elfman]

I'm surprised they didn't fix this for the 370 as well. was the first thing i did to my 350!

[arken78]

Excellent work Kev T! I'll be trying this one over the weekend. Two-handed boot openings are so last season! Not to mention the £60 saving on a used set of struts!!!

[api330]

Removed mine, Thanks for the tip, Doing this and removing my 370 badge has made a massive weight reduction

[Baidan]

Removing the weight does help, also get rid of the wiper! looks far better as menyioned above, and I`ve had no issues even in the rain (I believe its not even on the US version) also Ive used http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0006TLC2U?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00 works a treat, I also use it in the shower door, dont ask...

[Dave Bull]

I asked the same question about how to save weight kev!

They said don't get in the car you fat bastard!

I was deeply hurt:(

 

OUCH!

[sipar69]

Having just done it, I can confirm that this fix also works for the Mk1 Nismo despite the extra weight of the spoiler.

 

Edit. Few days in and when cold the catch is still sticking now and again. Seems that weight removal has helped but not completely solved the issue.

Edited December 22, 2014 by sipar69

[coyoteboy]

FYI that weight isn't a weight, it's a vibration damper for NVH. I've just removed mine to fix the boot pop (has done) but I expect it may affect cabin noise!

[NWZ]

Nobody tried the penny fix instead of removing the weight NVH doodah? Mine is playing up and wondering whether to try the 1p fix first.