Rear Hatch Hinges

[Custom_V6_Limited_SE]

I did some searching... and came very close to the answer but not quite. My hatch is really slugish as it is opening, so, I paid $60 and got new lifter struts for it. Problem is, it's still just as slugish. The only other thing it could be is the hinges. I looked at them and they appear to be riveted on at the bottom. Is this true or are there bolts that go into it from under the headliner (shop manual didn't say anything about the hinges ) ? I'm guessing the Mazda dealer is going to be the only place with new ones?

[Custom_V6_Limited_SE]

Good grief!!! Mazda is charging me $132.15 just for the two lousy hinges. I've been had.

[Custom_V6_Limited_SE]

I take that back. I haven't been had . I cancelled my order when I noticed that hatch opens better now that the new struts have been compressed for a while .