Date:         Sun, 20 Jun 2010 19:10:34 -0700
Reply-To:     Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject:      Re: Cranky 86+ sliding door latch
Comments: To: David Beierl <dbeierl@attglobal.net>
In-Reply-To:  <4c1eb405.d7b4e50a.25b4.1d3c@mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

so the front latch is ok? the stamped metal  hook thing.


the rear striker/latch is very much like a front door latch, pin and
capture. if as you say, the latch is not clamping down fast enough to
hold pin, then I think cleaning and re lubricating is in order.

as ref point, my 86 door works like a dream. opens nicely, very
smooth handle feel, and closes like a charm. one of the best features
of '86 and up vans is, IMHO, the sliding door latch.

alistair


On 20-Jun-10, at 5:29 PM, David Beierl wrote:

At 06:40 PM 6/20/2010, Alistair Bell wrote:
> which latch wonky?

86+ only have one latch, on the rear.  There's a capture device in
front to keep the door from bursting open when the grenade goes off
inside, but the two parts of it have never touched each other.

> do you see any wear in the contact surfaces?

Minor wear on the pin.


> is there any foreign material in tracks?

Not particularly.

What it likes is to be closed from about eight inches or a foot open,
and the handle pulled forward firmly as it latches.  Alternatively
ready to close and a firm push forward/in at the latch point.

Yours,
d