Trunk - Decklid Does Not Stay Open/Difficult to Open: Overview
BULLETIN NO.: 96-T-02AISSUE DATE: November, 1998
GROUP/SEQ. NO.: Body-01
CORPORATION NO.: 6815O4R
SUBJECT:
Decklid Does Not Stay Open in Full Open Position and/or Too Hard to Open. (Reposition or Replace Rear Compartment Lid Hinge Torque Rods.)
Due to revisions under Models Affected, this bulletin supercedes bulletin 96-T-02, which should be discarded.
MODELS AFFECTED:
1996-1999 Saturn Sedans.
CONDITION:
When in full open position, decklid may not stay open or may fall down, or has greater than normal opening force.
CAUSE:
Decklid torque rods may have been improperly installed during production. Also, if a rear decklid spoiler is installed at the retailer, the new torque rods may not have been installed to accommodate the weight of the decklid spoiler.
CORRECTION:
Refer to the Procedure in this bulletin to relocate torque rods to correct location in rear compartment.
For SL, SL1, and SL2 models without rear decklid spoiler option (D80), the correct torque rods are P/N 21098704 and P/N 21098705. These torque rods are colored black and have no identifying paint marks on them.
^ For SL and SL1 models, the torque rods must be installed in the rear position (position 1) of the rear decklid hinges.
^ For SL2 models, the torque rods must be installed in the front position (position 2), of the rear decklid hinges. This is due to the increased weight of the center reflex panel installed on the SL2.
For SL2 models equipped with the rear decklid spoiler option (D80), the correct torque rods are P/N 21098706 and P/N 21098707. These torque rods are black in color with a gray paint marking on the "U" bend area of the torque rods. The torque rods must be installed in the front position (position 2), of the rear decklid hinges.
If a rear decklid spoiler is added to a Saturn Sedan, the rear decklid specific torque rods (P/N 21098706 and P/N 21098707) must be used in the front slots (position 2), of the rear decklid hinges. Failure to use these torque rods with the rear decklid spoiler will result in poor hold open quality of the rear decklid.
If an SL2 rear center reflex panel is installed on an SL or SL1, the torque rods must be moved from the rear slots (position 1), to the front slots (position 2), on the rear decklid hinges. Use tool SA9192B and the following procedure to move torque rods.
NOTICE:
The addition of extra weight to the rear decklid by aftermarket products may affect the performance of the torque rods.
IMPORTANT:
No warranty should be submitted for adjustments or installation of new torque rods due to retailer installed spoilers or reflexes.
CLAIM INFORMATION:
To receive credit for this repair during the warranty coverage period, submit a claim through the Saturn Dealer System using the appropriate Electronic Labor Time Guide and Labor Operation Code B5460-Right Side and/or B5461-Left Side.