SP36 Upper Hatch Bracket

[adefreit]

Hello SP36 Owners,

Yesterday I changed the springs on our hatch. I took the recommendation of one member and purchased the springs from McMaster, 175 lbs. In no way am I criticizing this member or their recommendation, but a word of caution.

When the job was done the hatch stayed up beautifully, but when I went to close the hatch, the bracket pulled away from the hatch.

Other SP36 owners may want to check carefully before using this solution. I do not know if the springs were too powerful, or the bracket was not secured properly to the hatch.

I learned two things, first, the hatch is fiberglass, obvious I think.

Second, the metal bracket is attached through some adhesive to the fiberglass. See pictures.

Today, we remove the Hatch and begin the process of repair.

Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, can you recommend how you fixed it. More to come.

Alan

[Randy Dupree]

Its a common problem.
Normally we drill through the tailgate and through bolt the bracket back on,we use stainless carriage bolts.
some JB weld between the parts does not hurt either.

[adefreit]

Randy,

Thank you for your reply. In doing this do you put a metal plate inside to reinforce the attachment?

Just thinking out loud.

Alan

[Randy Dupree]

I have seen plates on the outside,but the inside has the bracket already,right?

[adefreit]

Yes, you are correct?

[adefreit]

Hi,

Just an update. We took Randy's advice, and completed step one, which amounted to drilling four holes, expoxying the bracket to the hatch, and completing by attaching with four bolts.

Step two, will begin tomorrow when we tackle the other side. Patience and attention to detail are the catch phrases. A couple of photos we took.

Alan

[bobbiemartin]

Here is how our rear hatch is braced. This was done before we bought it. I'm told this is a common SP36 issue.

[adefreit]

Hi Bobbie,

Thank you for your pictures. This helps in that my wife had suggested something like this, but I could not envision what it would look like. With your pictures, it is clearer and we may do something similar.

Also, we had planned to be a handle on the bottom at mid point. My wife's observation is that the location of the stairs puts a lot of pressure on the passenger's side of the hatch. She has convinced me that this is a weak point, and that using the stairs as part of the lift of the hatch has weakened the contact point on the hatch.

With beefing up the two attachment points, new lifts, and a center handle, we shall be able to open the hatch easily. We shall see.

Thank you again.

Alan

[Randy Dupree]

Maybe being 31yo is part of the problem too?
Big smile!!
Nice work men,and i think putting a lift handle in the middle is a good idea too.
Thanks for the pics.