Date:         Mon, 1 Nov 2010 15:11:13 -0400
Reply-To:     "j. davis" <jd@LAWSONIMAGING.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "j. davis" <jd@LAWSONIMAGING.CA>
Subject:      Re: door latch problem
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: door latch problem
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 2010 15:16:38 -0400
From: j. davis <jd@lawsonimaging.ca>
To: Arlene K Sondergaard <asonder@USGS.GOV>

On 10/29/2010 01:32 PM, Arlene K Sondergaard wrote:
> Hi
>
> My 87 vanagon has a problem door latch on the passenger side.
> The door will open but not close.
> The door latch will not return to its original setting so it will not go
> around the striker.
> Using a couple screwdrivers to manipulate it is all I can do.
>
> Is this an easy fix?
>
> Thanks,
> Arlene
>

I have a similar problem, but on the driver's side. I took it apart and found that there
is a coil spring deep inside the latch's 'axle'. That spring has either broken or slipped
off of it's stops. Either way, it imparts no springiness, and since the inner latch is a
big stamped steel assembly, riveted together, taking it apart to replace this spring
looks, to me, to be nearly impossible. While I wait to find a replacement latch, here are
a couple of workarounds:

- each time you need to close the door, lift up on the outer handle and then just lift up
the striker to it's highest position with your finger. When you release the outer handle,
it should stay there, and you can then close the door. Not the best solution!

- I was able to slip one of those pony-tail hair elastics around the striker. I then
loosened one of the three latch screws and used it to route the elastic. I put one of
those self-adhesive little plastic hooks on the inner door where I could hook the elastic,
with appropriate tension to pull the striker up. This has worked well for about a month
now. Those elastics are thick, but seem to gradually loose their elasticity, but are cheap
and easy to replace. This is easier than it sounds, if you need pics, let me know...

I've looked online for an inner latch replacement, no joy as yet. Looks like I might need
to find a used one from a parts van somewhere. Any tips would be appreciated!

--
Regards,  J. ('95 GL

Sonex #325 C-FJNJ, Jabiru 3300a, Prince P-Tip, Aerocarb
restoring the Johnston Special
http://cleco.ca

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|  J. Davis, M.Sc.            | (computer science)            |
| *NIX consulting, SysAdmin   | email: jd at lawsonimaging.ca |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+


When I was crossing the border into Canada, they asked
if I had any firearms with me.  I said, "Well, what do
you need?"
                                --- Steven Wright