1970s '73 Coupe DeVille Trunk Release

[34837]

Howdy, my car has the (optional?) inside glove box release button. When utilized the trunk springs open but in my opinion, much to hard, seems as if something is going to be stressed. After examining the situation there doesn't seem to be any rubber stops missing or any way to adjust. Any help or thoughts greatly appreciated. Thanks, A.

[TJ Hopland]

You mean your trunk springs all the way open kinda violently when you use the release?   Or it barely seems to release?

[34837]

Yes, it springs open ,in my opinion way to hard, seems like there is something missing to cushion the load. Guessing the previous owners didn't use it much or the hinges would have fatigued. Haven't looked in manual to see how these things work but can't imagine this was the way the factory intended.

[Big Fins]

Look at the right side hinge. Does it have a gas charged ram that lifts the lid up? It also makes it difficult to close it down to where the pull down can activate and draw it to a close. I know the '69 models used this, but not sure how many years into the future did.

[34837]

Think Ive answered my own question, behind cardboard trim on right side there is a spring loaded mechanism with a hard to reach cable adjustment which must solve the problem when adjusted correctly. Apparently this model did not have the "soft close" feature at the latch  which other years had or an option not included on my unit. Thanks all! A.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I thought all the cars with the remote release had the automatic pull down.

It could be that yours is there, but the cable that is under the trunk carpet has rusted solid, and the locking mechanism is in the closed position.

My '72 was like that, and took ages to de-rust the cable to get it operating again.  Mine also had a couple of strands that had rusted through, and these caused binding as well.

Plus, if the cable is rusted/binding, then the gas strut will not be operating as it should, and could put increased pressure on the raising lever, and therefore opening too fast.

Bruce.  

[34837]

You could be right regarding "auto shut"; will need to examine more closely. As time allows will post pics of the situation. Thanks for any and all advice! A.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

This is what is under the pull-down cover, so if yours is this wide, then you have the correct pull-down, as against the basic lock.

Bruce.

[76Caddy]

Per the owner's manual, remote control release and pull-down feature were only available from the factory however the dealer could install the remote-control release only.  My '60s and '70s Cadillacs with remote control, the deck lid opens like an explosion.

Tim   

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

The clockwork type power pull down mechanism was used from 1962 to 1973. The motor spring is energized when the decklid is physically pushed down until the latch engages. I imagine it's possible the ratchet attached to the trunk arm may apply additional upward pressure causing the decklid to fly open with more force than when not so-equipped. To my knowledge, none of these decklids had any type of "braking action" to prevent against this other than the rubber stoppers when the lid comes to the end of its travel.

Of the three '77 CdVs I have, one of them flies fully open as described above when the glovebox release is used; the other two open to about the halfway point. So it seems to be the luck of the draw from one car to another.

As mentioned above, remote trunk release w/o pulldown was available by dealer installation. Remote release with power pulldown was factory installed.   

[34837]

Thanks all, great information and will pursue as time allows! For some reason my wife thinks finishing her kitchen "remodel" is more important than all of my "minor" Caddy issues. A.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

She who must be obeyed.   Leads to a happy husband/partner.

Bruce.

[Big Fins]

Yep! Happy wife, happy life.