Date:         Fri, 21 Feb 2014 14:26:28 -0500
Reply-To:     Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: rear access hatch adjustment
In-Reply-To:  <BAY407-EAS4014D1C4AA6AA6CB0345272A0850@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Hi Dennis, Jim,  and others,

        Success!  I had tried to bend the metal tab with no improvement.  After Dennis's note I went back out and pondered the tab a bit more.  I realized that the tab is shaped in such a way that the top is not connected to anything only the bottom of the clip is attached to the access door.  So instead of continuing to try to bend the entire clip I bent the top of the clip upward.  That was it!  Suddenly the door latched firmly!  A small thing but I like that nice solid feel when the door closes and opens.  Thanks for the tips they worked again! 

Eric Caron 
85 GL Westfalia auto 
currently snowed into is garage in southern VT 

On Feb 21, 2014, at 12:17 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:

> Try bending the top clip to increase the pressure. Yes the license plate
> will be a bit below the edge of the bumper. 
> 
> Dennis
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Eric Caron
> Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2014 6:07 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: rear access hatch adjustment
> 
> Hi listers,
> 
>        This seems like a silly question but it is certainly vanagon related
> so I'll go for it.
> 
> I've managed to get my rear bumper respectably straightened out.  As a
> result the rear hatch that exposes the oil and coolant area now opens fully.
> 
> 
> So first question.  What is the correct name for this little door? 
> 
> Next question.  Is there a way to adjust it at all?  In my case the latch
> holding it shut is acting very wimpy.  Everything seems straight and lined
> up as far as I can tell.  the top of the little door matches up with the
> little rubber bumpers on the van body.
>  also.  the license plate seems to sit a bit low.  the bottom of the plate
> is below the top edge of the bumper.  Is this normal?
> 
> I could just leave well enough alone, but what fun would that be?  I'm
> looking for a way to have the small door shutt with a satisfying thunk and
> act latched.  
> 
> Tips are greatly appreciated.
> 
> Eric Caron 
> 85 GL Auto