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1938 Cadillac Sixty Special trunk lid support strut

Started by lkolo, September 24, 2017, 11:37:17 AM

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lkolo

Can someone please explain how the trunk lid support strut is supposed to work? Is it supposed to automatically lock in the open position? On my car, when you lift the trunk lid, I have to toggle the small flat lever inside of the strut in order to get it to lock in the open position. Once it's locked, if I lift the trunk lid up, it will release and I can close the trunk. The flat spring is present and it doesn't appear to be broken.  There are a couple of holes in the strut just below the locking mechanism. What are those for? I have a feeling I'm missing some hardware.

If you could post a photo or two that would be very helpful.

Steve Passmore

There's a good portion of these springs you can't see. I would suggest part of it actually is broken or bent out of shape.  It's a common problm.
Steve

Present
1937 60 convertible coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe
1941 62 coupe

Previous
1936 70 Sport coupe
1937 85 series V12 sedan
1938 60 coupe
1938 50 coupe
1939 60S
1940 62 coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe x2
1941 61 coupe
1941 61 sedan x2
1941 62 sedan x2
1947 62 sedan
1959 62 coupe

lkolo

Ok, thanks. So the way it's supposed to work is when you raise the trunk lid to its full travel, then slowly let it down, it should self-latch in the open position by itself?

gary griffin

It may be helpful to lubricate it also.   A little bit of graphite solves a lot of problems in our old cars.
Gary Griffin

1940 LaSalle 5029 4 door convertible sedan
1942 Cadillac 6719 restoration almost complete?
1957 Cadillac 60-special (Needs a little TLC)
2013 Cadillac XTS daily driver

Steve Passmore

Quote from: lkolo on September 24, 2017, 04:40:06 PM
Ok, thanks. So the way it's supposed to work is when you raise the trunk lid to its full travel, then slowly let it down, it should self-latch in the open position by itself?

Yes, that's correct. It could also be that lubricant from decades ago has gummed up the spring and the flipping portion. They can be dismantled and cleaned out.
Steve

Present
1937 60 convertible coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe
1941 62 coupe

Previous
1936 70 Sport coupe
1937 85 series V12 sedan
1938 60 coupe
1938 50 coupe
1939 60S
1940 62 coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe x2
1941 61 coupe
1941 61 sedan x2
1941 62 sedan x2
1947 62 sedan
1959 62 coupe

z3skybolt

Mine is doing the same thing but it was new not long ago and still looked perfect. Maybe some broken innards like Steve says. I will try to lub it.

Fun fun.....
1940 LaSalle 5227 Coupe(purchased May 2016)
1985 Lincoln Town Car Signature Series. Bought New.

turk

I also need help here, but, I have the opposite prob in my Mod 62 coupe.  When rasing the lid, the supports latch.  Then to close, you have to lift the lid a little and at the same time using your left  thumb nail raise the lever up and hold then while holding latch, lower the lid 2 inches before removing thumbnail
and dropping the lid.  Any help here will be appreciated.  Is it possible 2 supports are "out of time"  ??
Thx in advance.
cdunn8482@yahoo.com
Carlos Dunn  #21290

Steve Passmore

You need to dismantle the latch and clean and check for a bent or broken spring.
Steve

Present
1937 60 convertible coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe
1941 62 coupe

Previous
1936 70 Sport coupe
1937 85 series V12 sedan
1938 60 coupe
1938 50 coupe
1939 60S
1940 62 coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe x2
1941 61 coupe
1941 61 sedan x2
1941 62 sedan x2
1947 62 sedan
1959 62 coupe