1995 Super sport Rear sundeck question

[workky]

The hinge on the sundeck on one side has come loose. The nuts have backed off. How do I get these tight again? do I have to take the rear deck upholstery off ?
If I have to take the upholstery off, how do I do this?
Thanks

[workky]

Anyone have any idea? I now I cant be the only one this has happened to

[Jono]

I have been victimized by this. Yes you have to take vinyl off the corner by pilling out staples. You will have to take out more than you think to access the bolts. Replacing the staples around the hinges will be impossible unless you take the entire hatch off the boat. At least that's my case using a manual t50 stapler. If your vinyl is old, or starting to crack, it will end up with alot more cracks when you're done. I had a hard time stretching it back to the original position due to shrinkage , so you should get it hot in the sun for that stage.
I doubt you will use the bolts that are in there. With mine the holes became enlarged from the movement so the old hardware was useless. I had to get some longer bolts with big washers and a nylock. Then you have to chop off the ends of the stud so it doesnt stick up through the pad with whatever creative means you have. I used a mini hacksaw.
It was one of those jobs I thought would take an hour but took 12 by the time I went to the store 5x. Beer may or may not make this better.

[crobi2]

Jono, are there originally nuts under the vinyl that just start to spin when they get loose or do the screws just go into the glass of the sun deck?

[workky]

Jono, are there originally nuts under the vinyl that just start to spin when they get loose or do the screws just go into the glass of the sun deck?

Im pretty sure mine have nuts, the bolts are completely loose, I did not know it was stapled to the deck, ill have to look at this and determine if i can do it. Its been loose for quite some time,

I hate it they make it very difficult to tighten up a nut, im wondering when they quit witht his design.

[Jono]

i honestly can't remember that well, but if i had to guess they were lag screws going right into the fiberglass. the lags won't work anymore because the holes have opened up too much. there was a backing plate in there about 2X3 inches - same size as the hinge. that serves as your washer under the vinyl. i just replaced the lags with a nut and bolt and it will never loosen up again.