E86 rear hatch loose. Lot of lower catch bracket movement

mousitch · 06-03-2026, 08:58 PM

Are these supposed to be tight or loose? Bottom catch bracket for hatch. My catch latch has a ton of up and down,basically all around play and torx bolts seem tight. This allows me to move the hatch 1/4”-1/2” inch when closed.

I could adjust bump stops but then hatch seem to high for body line. Anyone have this issue or could you hatch owners check to see if yours is tight or are they built with some “play” in them? Searched and searched and can’t find a solution. Thanks guys.

XMetal · 06-03-2026, 11:59 PM

It should be tight without any play

mousitch · 06-04-2026, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XMetal

It should be tight without any play

Thank you. I will have to figure this out. Nuts seem as tight as can go.

XMetal · 06-04-2026, 09:26 AM

If the bolts are already as tight as possible, I would try adding a shim/washer. Tightening it further could end badly.

mousitch · 06-04-2026, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XMetal

If the bolts are already as tight as possible, I would try adding a shim/washer. Tightening it further could end badly.

I’ll will take a look tonight and see what I need to do. Thank you

bwright657 · 06-04-2026, 03:38 PM

The latch on your hatch and the striker on the body should not have any play when fully tightened. You should use the striker and latch to set the height of the hatch when it's closed. A dry erase marker or grease pen to mark the screw positions is your friend here. Then adjust the bump stops so they are making enough pressure.

The bump stops will be in a good range if you can easily close the hatch but still get a solid "thud" feeling and sound. If you get a loud "pop" when you hit the trunk release on the key fob, back off on the pressure.

mousitch · 06-04-2026, 07:13 PM

Thank you both! Shimmed and adjusted bumpers. Perfect now. Guess 18 years and 46,000 miles will loosen things up a bit

06-03-2026, 08:58 PM	#1
mousitch Dark Sider 164 Rep 1,790 Posts Drives: 2008 Space Gray Z4MC Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Missouri iTrader: (11) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [7.50]	E86 rear hatch loose. Lot of lower catch bracket movement Are these supposed to be tight or loose? Bottom catch bracket for hatch. My catch latch has a ton of up and down,basically all around play and torx bolts seem tight. This allows me to move the hatch 1/4”-1/2” inch when closed. I could adjust bump stops but then hatch seem to high for body line. Anyone have this issue or could you hatch owners check to see if yours is tight or are they built with some “play” in them? Searched and searched and can’t find a solution. Thanks guys. __________________ Space Grey M Coupe-No Nav-Euro headers-Severn MAF-Based Custom Tune-RPI Scoop-Gruppe M CAI-TMS underpulley kit-Eisenmann Race Cans-RE X-pipe-ECU Remap with O2 and EGT delete-H&R Sport springs-TC Kline Koni’s with TC RSM’s-Zeck CDV delete-
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06-03-2026, 11:59 PM	#2
XMetal Brigadier General 1386 Rep 3,030 Posts Drives: Anything Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	It should be tight without any play
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06-04-2026, 09:26 AM	#4
XMetal Brigadier General 1386 Rep 3,030 Posts Drives: Anything Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	If the bolts are already as tight as possible, I would try adding a shim/washer. Tightening it further could end badly.
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06-04-2026, 03:38 PM	#6
bwright657 Second Lieutenant 295 Rep 224 Posts Drives: 08 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Greenville, SC iTrader: (1) Garage List 1999 Mazda Miata [0.00] 2008 BMW Z4M Coupe [9.50]	The latch on your hatch and the striker on the body should not have any play when fully tightened. You should use the striker and latch to set the height of the hatch when it's closed. A dry erase marker or grease pen to mark the screw positions is your friend here. Then adjust the bump stops so they are making enough pressure. The bump stops will be in a good range if you can easily close the hatch but still get a solid "thud" feeling and sound. If you get a loud "pop" when you hit the trunk release on the key fob, back off on the pressure. Attached Images __________________ '08 Z4M Coupe \| Space Grey/Imola Red Extended/Carbon Leather \| Eventuri Intake \| Strömung Exhaust \| Strong Strut Front/Rear Braces \| 19" E46 M3 ZCP Wheels Last edited by bwright657; 06-04-2026 at 07:48 PM..
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06-04-2026, 07:13 PM	#7
mousitch Dark Sider 164 Rep 1,790 Posts Drives: 2008 Space Gray Z4MC Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Missouri iTrader: (11) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [7.50]	Thank you both! Shimmed and adjusted bumpers. Perfect now. Guess 18 years and 46,000 miles will loosen things up a bit __________________ Space Grey M Coupe-No Nav-Euro headers-Severn MAF-Based Custom Tune-RPI Scoop-Gruppe M CAI-TMS underpulley kit-Eisenmann Race Cans-RE X-pipe-ECU Remap with O2 and EGT delete-H&R Sport springs-TC Kline Koni’s with TC RSM’s-Zeck CDV delete-
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