C6 rear hatch anomaly
- Thread starter MikeysZ06
- Start date
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Mike, what your doing with fingers through the latch is a potential finger remover if you ever slip.
The recess is there so that you can gently lower the hatch onto the lock and not let it drop down.
I've changed a few locks because people just slam the hatch down to close it and smash the lock.
It can also shatter the glass on the hatch if it doesn't hit square which I've seen also!
The proper way to close the hatch is to lower it to the lock with your thumb in the pocket to keep it from dropping and then a gentle push down and the lock will pull the hatch down snugly by itself
If your lock doesn't do this after you try it this way your locks already broken and it will around $200.00 for a new lock mechanism which is easy to fix yourself.
Hope this explaines it for you.
Cheers Rob
The recess is there so that you can gently lower the hatch onto the lock and not let it drop down.
I've changed a few locks because people just slam the hatch down to close it and smash the lock.
It can also shatter the glass on the hatch if it doesn't hit square which I've seen also!
The proper way to close the hatch is to lower it to the lock with your thumb in the pocket to keep it from dropping and then a gentle push down and the lock will pull the hatch down snugly by itself
If your lock doesn't do this after you try it this way your locks already broken and it will around $200.00 for a new lock mechanism which is easy to fix yourself.
Hope this explaines it for you.
Cheers Rob
Yeah ok,that makes a lot of sense Rob. I can see what you mean as I just tried it that way. All I do with my fingers in the latch is just pull it down to 4/6 inches from the closed position. I'm reading your reply like you think I'm pulling it down and pulling my fingers away before it slams home. I pull it down to that point and then with the heel of my hand,push it shut. I don't drop it from any height nor with any force.
But yes,looking at that area now,that's what it's for. Thanks for your tip Rob and ahhh,about those tshirts/hats. You still have any?
Ironically they fixed this... in the C7. It has the recess in the same place but has a lower lip you can grab onto when the hatch is open as you explained Mikey. That is GM designers for you. They will get it right...eventually.. Just give them a decade 
Go figure. I think the guy working in Bowling Green responsible for that part was on coffee break when my car came down the line.Ironically they fixed this... in the C7. It has the recess in the same place but has a lower lip you can grab onto when the hatch is open as you explained Mikey. That is GM designers for you. They will get it right...eventually.. Just give them a decade
I can't tell you if it's factory or not. I bought the car about 4 years ago and thought they were all like that.
I'll be interested to hear SN-IIIs take on this. We looked at a car indentical to mine in Edmonton a couple of weeks ago and it had one like yours. I asked him his thought on whether it looked OEM.... kinda gave me a funny look. We couldn't come to a conclusion. I'm waiting on Brent08 to verify his C6.
I am looking forward to doing a visual poll at the next show & shine with c6's as this part does look like a perfect fit.
The part even appears to have angles on it to fit snug against the hatch panel.
The thing that grabs me is that there is no predrilled holes or anything to hint that an optional part has been excluded / or can be added.
But I will truly admit ... the part is necessary as it is very hard to not finger-print the hatch exterior when putting the hatch down.
It would be interesting to know if the part screws into something behind or just to the plastic panel
but I am also not asking anyone to take their C6 apart due to my curiosity
The part even appears to have angles on it to fit snug against the hatch panel.
The thing that grabs me is that there is no predrilled holes or anything to hint that an optional part has been excluded / or can be added.
But I will truly admit ... the part is necessary as it is very hard to not finger-print the hatch exterior when putting the hatch down.
It would be interesting to know if the part screws into something behind or just to the plastic panel
but I am also not asking anyone to take their C6 apart due to my curiosity
Part #13 in the illustration above
2005-2007 C6 Corvette Rear Hatch Handle OEM 15218387
the screws must be another OEM part # (of course
)Check and see at your next GM Dealership Parts Dept visit
ahh nuts ...
discontinued part ... except one place so far15218387 - Genuine GM HANDLE, Rear Compartment
eBay has a Seller who has 4 of these but thinks Corvette owners are money pits
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Just my opinion but,that thing looks cheap,almost junk like. I'll pass on drilling holes to mount that. I've adapted. Thanks Spence for looking that up. Time I can't repay you sadly.
I have the same recessed area in my 2008 coupe as you do Mikey, no cover plate or any indication that one should be there. I've always lowered it to the point when the motor gently closes the lid. This always leaves finger prints. If I've freshly cleaned the car I grab a microfibre towel I keep under the drivers seat and wipe them off.
Ya, something ( motor ) closes the hatch once you slam it down ( ok, no slamming )
Yes Brent, hate the fingerprints too..... they should have finished this idea ---- dumb
B