QuestionHi! The trunk latch on my z3 coupe will lock, but it is loose so that it makes noise when I drive over bumps. Can I fix it myself? My auto repair skills are very low. Otherwise, where should I take it - dealer, regular shop, body shop, locksmith?
AnswerHello Helen,
There are three possible causes of the noise:
a) the rubber stoppers on both sides of the trunk lid (small round rubber approximately less than an inch in diameter) may need adjustment or may be wornout. Adjustment would mean turning it so that it becomes longer/higher.
b) the trunk latch mechanism is composed of the trunk lock
(the one attached to the trunk lid) and the striker (the one attached to the body of the car.Both sometimes gets loose
with age and usage. And both are easy to access, even fairly out in the open. The bolts (3 for the lock and 2 for the striker) are either 10 mm. regular bolts (which you can tighten with a regular wrench or small spanner, even a small vise grip), or torx screws which needs torx screwdrivers that you can buy from Autozone or Kragen.
Of course you can have it repaired by somebody else if you do not feel capable. It is not worth the hassle though to bring it to a dealer. It would be faster and cheaper to bring it to your neighborhood mechanic.
Tino
