Ok.. so I'm an idiot. that out of the way - here's my problem. I tried to sound deaden the trunk using great stuff (expandable foam). I put it in my trunk lid and closed the trunk. Well, after the foam hardened, it hardened around the trunk lock mechanism and now I can't unlock the trunk! The key will go in but won't turn it, and the trunk release lever doesn't do anything.

Any ideas... I'm soooo ****ed. Oh yeah, I can't go in through the rear seat since I have the sub box bolted down in there. =(

Someone help!

Thanks.

Chris

 

hmmmm...what a predicament...sounds like you might have to have the lock drilled out. Did you use the great stuff foam from like Home Depot?

 

hahahahaha sorry... couldn't stop laughing...

 

Any way you can get at the foam from the ski hatch in the rear seat? Worse comes to worse, you can remove the rear seat.

 

Yep, if you remove the rear seat you can get a good size opening to the trunk. Maybe you could crawl around the sub box and get in there? Also, is the foam heat sensitive maybe? Another words maybe you could place a heat gun on the lock it's self and heat it up real good. Maybe this would help? You could try a hair dryer too but I don't think that would be very affective.

Good luck and don't do it again!

 

 

Now that I've stopped laughing (sorry), lets try to get you in the trunk. I remember reading on the can that the cured foam is supposed to be unaffected by solvents, so that is most likely out. The stuff has a fire retardant in it, but you aren't supposed to use it where temps go above 240 degrees F (fire hazard). That may rule out a heat gun. If you do use one, wear a respirator for the fumes, they are toxic. Can you totally remove the back seat and move your sub box? If so, you should be able to get some tools to the lock mechanism to scrape it all out. I would spray some of that stuff on a piece of card board, let it cure, and try different solvents & or heat (maybe cardboard wouldn't be too good with the heat. Use cement or something). Keep in mind damage you may cause to your Max. Let me know how this situation pans out. (Note to self: don't use Great Stuff as sound deadener around moving parts such as lock mechanisms.) LOL

 

too bad DBM is gonna be gone for awhile - I'd LOVE to hear his reply to this one

good luck--guessing you'll have to drill out the lock too..

 

Well - I'm glad I could provide everyone with a little laughter.

Anyways... I'm going to try and get into the trunk from the rear seat as I think I remember reading on the can about how nail polish remover will disolve the foam.

hmmmm.... i'm off to work. lol.

 

wow, that is afing funny, good luck man, let us know how it all goes

 

Man, that sucks. Good luck, and let us know what happens.

 

How about a crowbar!

Couldn't resist making a comment.

Good Luck with your situation, I bet all of us here could share similar type stories for things we've done over the years.

Well once again, hope u get the trunk open without any damage.

Let us know how it all turns out.

 

 

hehe well - after a full day of messing around with it here's what has happened so far...

I've taken the rear seats out and taken the brace off and had to actually cut peices of the rear seat frame (the metal around the ski pass through) to get my sub box out through the rear seat. After a lot of pain and bleeding I then managed to open the trunk lid by removing the whol latch assembly, both from the trunk lid and the trunk area itself. I spent the rest of the day trying to figure out how the hell the assembly worked and came away with nothing

since i no longer have a latch to keep the lid closed i have secured it closed with a nice peice of nylon. i will play with the latch some more on tuesday but i think by the end of the week i will have to make a trip to the dealer for some service. they're going to have a field day with me.

 

OUCH, cutting your maxima. taking it apart, and not knowing how to put it back in? sounds like your in a sticky stiuation than you were before, oh well good luck.

P.S. think before doing

 

not really. i mean, the cutting had to be done to get the box out - and it's in an area thats never ever going to be seen again... the rear seat brace covers it anyway. the latch issue is a different story. i can put it back the way it's supposed to be without a problem, it just seems as though it isn't working the way it should... all the parts of covered with foam and it's hard to get it all off. either way looks like it's dealer time =P

 

I realize the foam is supposed to be resistant to chemicals, but since you have it all out I would think you could probably soak it in gas maybe??? Do it outside and don't inhale fumes. OR - if all the parts are metal could you just use a torch to 'burn' the stuff off? In any event I'm sorry to hear your luck - are you related to me I would try a junk yard before the dealer too.