Hatch Lock Modifications

[andyofcolumbusmerkur]

Metal sleeve mod.

[my8950]

Did you make the sleeve? If not, what is it from?

[andyofcolumbusmerkur]

I got the picture from Mike at the Merkur Depot. Someone sent it to him. It seems like some aluminum pipe cut to fit, but I don't have any other pictures or measurements. On my car I ended up just modifying the lock/latch so it would only open from the inside.

[andyofcolumbusmerkur]

It's a metal rod attached to the lock/latch with some safety wire. It would be pretty easy to attach this to an actuator. Then you could remotely open the hatch either with a hard wired button or a remote control.

[Rainbow83]

I think I'm missing some context here. What's the purpose of this metal sleeve mod?

[my8950]

The pot metal housing usually breaks. By having the sleeve over it, it takes some stress off the housing and helps the lock continue to work properly.

[andyofcolumbusmerkur]

The pot metal housing usually breaks. By having the sleeve over it, it takes some stress off the housing and helps the lock continue to work properly.

Yes. The part you touch when you lift the hatch is not real strong. The central locking setup, which was popular back then, locks and unlocks the passenger side and rear hatch every time the drivers door lock is locked or unlocked. That causes metal fatigue, just like bending a paper clip back and forth a bunch of times until it breaks. You will start seeing little cracks develop, then chunks will start to fall off of it. You can unplug the actuator in the rear hatch to help prevent this.

[Rainbow83]

Thanks for the explanation. Sounds like I'll be unplugging those wires for the central locking system. I like how I can unlock all four doors on my Camry with one key turn, but with the XR4Ti only having two doors, I don't see it being much use.

[Ed Lijewski]

Thanks for the explanation. Sounds like I'll be unplugging those wires for the central locking system. I like how I can unlock all four doors on my Camry with one key turn, but with the XR4Ti only having two doors, I don't see it being much use.

Yours may already be broken (it's the pot metal lock barrel that cracks from the lever hitting it); see if it locks using the key.

YMMV