When I pull the lever to release the rear hatch it pops and "unlocks" the rear hatch, but it doesn't really raise up at all. I have to pry my fingers into the cracks and pull the hatch up. The shocks work great and support the hatch well. As you can see below, I have no wing. What could be causing this? Is there a spring in the mechanism that has gotten tired?

 

try cleaning and regreasing your latch mechanism...it could be sticking

 

I think this is one of the design flaws of the car. Even with a wing the hatch doesent pop up (neither of mine do)

You can thank mazda for that.

 

You don't want it to be raising up from just hitting the lever - it's a part of the design, not a flaw.

I haven't owned a single Japanese car that has ever had a hatch or trunk that raises up upon pulling the open lever.

 

Here is Zerobangers quick fix. Make sure the windows are up and the sun roof is closed. Pop the trunk, exit the car and slam the door.

Works like a charm.

 

That should be normal. Mine does exactly the same.

 

mine too. i thought about putting in a rubber grommet or bumper that would put some pressure on it after popping, but it's already a bitch to close in the first place and i don't think any more resistance is going to help on that end.

i like that air-pressure trick, though . gotta try that.

 

Yeah, I do the air pressure thing occasionally. This isn't normal though. I have to CRAM my fingers into the crack to pry it open. I definitely don't want it to start rattling, so I'm not going to screw with it.

 

Keep a crowbar in the car. :-)

My FD is the same way, but I have a wing and my shocks aren't all that great.

However my FC does pop up when I pull the lever, but only about 1/2 way.

 

mine is the same way i have to push my fingers in the crack to open it

 

im serious, try my suggestion, it pops the hatch up about 1/2 inch. Its ingenious if you ask me.

 

GUESS WHAT EVERYONE, NEW ONES WERE NOT THE SAME WAY.

The reason everyones is the same is cause they are a ******* decade old. Mine use to do the same thing. What did i do? Get new struts for the hatch. They are cheap as **** at checker. Now, when i pop the hatch, it raises up all buy itself. It looks pretty cool actually.

 

EXACTLY!!! 10 years will kill any pneumatic shock.
also, the cold weather doesn't help any!

just bought the new struts... they do actually open the hatch by themselves!

fella, you live in Florida where it's warm... try living up in the northern states with the cold weather.

 

Yes, everything that doesn't work on your "pristene" cars are Mazda's fault.

oh wait.. mine works fine.

 

I pushed mine up from the inside after I popped it each time (like I was yawning and stretching) and if the windows were up then I did the door slam trick...both worked fine and were free.
Ryan.

 

hmmm...mine doesnt pop up either...guess im spoiled and just used to lifting on the wing

 

What was the price for the new lift arms?

 

You shoulda bought the touring model, with the "hatch lift handle".... errrr, I mean rear wiper

 

you can get any replacement struts for like $35. They are cheap and easy. Just go to any automotive store.

 

i do this too before.. i took my strut out now, not even hassle of buyin a new one, rather do sum weight lift everytime..

 

When I first bought my FD 5 yrs ago, I could pop the hatch and just slightly tap on it and it would go up by itself. Those days are long gone now. Pop the hatch now and I get a good bicep workout.

 

heh, new shocks for the rear hatch are pretty cheap if you dont get the mazda brand. if you get the ones with the little clip holder, its best to weld it. my clip popped off one day and the hatch hit me in the head. ouch!

 

the hatch hit u cuz it wants a genuie maz part

 

just buy a spoiler, aka a handle