Rear hatch jammed on my '69 westfalia

meanmontess · Post by **meanmontess** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 8:36 am

My rear hatch won't open. Any idea how I can open it without damaging anything? I haven't done much investigating yet. Thanks.

MedicTed · Post by **MedicTed** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 9:34 am

Is the latch unlocked? Is the latch seized? I had the same problem on my '70, and had to use a pair of water pump pliers to open the hatch. Remove the rear mattress (over the engine). You should be able to pull the interior latch release (horizontal bar in the opening of the latch). If necessary, slide the water pump pliers into the opening between the body and the door and use them to help the latch open.

meanmontess · Post by **meanmontess** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 3:43 pm

Thanks. I did get it to open and found out the latch assembly is bad. When you push the button nothing happens. Something seems to be missing.

MedicTed · Post by **MedicTed** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:18 am

It's possible that the lock is in the "locked" position. Look at it carefully and watch how the parts move. When in the "locked" position, the tab to open the mechanism does not push on the mechanism.