Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 09:47:47 -0500
Reply-To: W Monk <billmonk@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: W Monk <billmonk@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Sliding door inner panel removal -- any gotchas?
In-Reply-To: <DF42DF8A-A587-422D-94CA-5EBCD7A00C2C@shaw.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
I would be more scared of tearing the hardboard the panel is made of than
breaking the clips. The clips are held to the panel in a key hole shape.
The tool you need is made just to remove trim. The big flat ones are better
than the smaller ones. If you google trim tools or some variation of that
you will see what you need to make or buy. I personally have this
need to have as many hand tools as possible and always jump at the chance
to run and purchase a tool I don't have. With the Zetec I got to go out and
purchase some different torx bits I didn't have. Two full size roll aways
and
counting....
Bill
On Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 1:23 AM, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
> yup there are...
>
>
> the plastic buttons tend to be brittle. Try popping them off (be
> great if you had the right tool, there is one I believe) when it is
> warm, or use a hair drier... the buttons are hidden in holes cut in
> the hardboard of the panel, can feel them thru the vinyl.
>
> Also, the hardboard itself can be weak, especially the button holes
> at the bottom corners.
>
>
> About the handle... you'll see how it is held on place on the inside
> by a screw. Its a candidate for locktite when re-assembling.
>
> I think you have also found that the outside "escutcheon" or plastic
> ring that goes between door sheet metal and handle body is worn or
> missing. I think there are at least 2 types, year specific as the
> handle changed with the new sliding door mechanism... what year was
> that again?
>
> That "escutcheon", for the lack of a better word, goes along way in
> locating the handle. The handle will feel wobbly and not "right" if
> you don't have a good one.
>
> cheers,
>
> Alistair
>
>
>
> On 5-Nov-09, at 4:51 PM, Rocket J Squirrel wrote:
>
> I need to get behind the forward edge of the door panel on the inside of
> the sliding door on my '84 to access the stem of the door handle. It's
> loose and feels mainly like the bolt is coming out. Or it may be
> cracked.
> Visual inspection is called for.
>
> I recall that the clips on my '71 aircooled bus had rusted badly enough
> that removal and re-attachment of the panel was iffy. Are there any
> "gotchas" I need to be prepared for when I go to open this patient?
>
> --
> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
> 74 Westrailia: (Ladybug Trailer company, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
> Bend, OR
> KG6RCR
>
| 
