Date:         Tue, 13 Aug 2002 19:56:41 -0400
Reply-To:     Bradley Flubacher <flub@ADELPHIA.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bradley Flubacher <flub@ADELPHIA.NET>
Subject:      trouble with sliding door latch
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

I can not seem to open the sliding door on my '82 westy. I can not open
it from inside or outside the van.

When I rotate either lever, it feels as though the door is open- What do
I mean by this? Well, if you open your sliding door, then push down on
the outside handle, you'll find that your push doesn't need much force.
It's kind of "floppy".  Likewise with the inside handle.  My door is
closed, but the handle feels this way.

I've pressed my body weight into the right places to try to make it
latch-  no success. No change in condition at all. I've held the handle
in the "open the damn door" position and bumped my hip into the door
from the inside..  No luck. By all accounts, the door is closed and
latched- except for the pesky handle. It can not be moved in any
direction. What a nice seal I've got!

Any advice before I go tearing my door apart?  It uses plastic clips on
the inside panel. My only thought was to drill them out so I don't break
the wood trying to pop off the panel. Those clips are tight!

Going to Kampers near Knoebels?

Brad
State College, PA
vanagon++