Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2018 18:31:07 -0700
Reply-To: Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject: Re: Sliding door hinge update
In-Reply-To: <b9968365-20c2-41fe-b2df-9ebbb02f06f1@me.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Jeff,
I don’t think any of our NA Westies came with light switch on the slider. The spot is there if you want to add one.
My tin top Syncro that I westificated has one. But I added a switch into the circuit that disables all the door activated switches. Turn it off when camping, just that little bit easier than turning the interior lights off individually.
Alistair
> On Jul 23, 2018, at 5:19 PM, Jeff Palmer <w.jeff.palmer@ICLOUD.COM> wrote:
>
> Speaking of rubber bumpers - twice my window on the sliding door has shattered when shut (relatively) gently. Not slammed. The glass is not easy to find. I have a feeling i'm missing bumpers ...
>
> Would my 85 Westfalia have a switch for an interior light?
>
> Thanks
> Jeff
>
> On Jul 23, 2018, at 04:35 PM, Eric Caron <eric.caron@ICLOUD.COM> wrote:
>
> Hi folks,
>
> Thanks to everyone who made suggestions about my sliding door hinge issue.
>
> My door had stopped popping open. When I examined the hinge with David B and others I found the spring was no longer springing.
>
> Stuart suggested getting a new one from GW and Dennis suggested getting the rubber piece that would probably be missing at the end of the track. Stuart also suggested getting new bushings.
>
> all great advice.
>
> Stuart also sent me the GW how to video and there were many tips I used even though I could only use the verbal info.
>
> the hinge arrived and I changed it out only to find the door was riding too high. I took pictures and sent to GW they said it was the hinge and not my work but they didn’t have a new hinge to exchange. they sent me a used one.
>
> Well, I wish I had thought to get a used one from the list members as the one that arrived was pretty sad. I was told it was hot dipped twice. It took me hours of cleaning to get it clean. I was then only able to get two of the three bushings off.
> a friend that works in a body shop tried for a bit and gave up as he would need to get special tools to get it off. Another friend came by and carefully cut it off.
> I then installed it and sure enough it fit and worked fine. Used part got me back in business new one was out of spec.
>
> I spent a lot of time adjusting the door but never got it to be as nice a fit as before I changed the hinge.
> At a recent musical event with a special VW group parking, camping area, a VW mechanic friend told me to drop the rear support pin just about 1/8 inch.
> I did that today and the door opens and closes sweetly. better then in the past few years.
>
> The back is still fractionally high but I’m not messing with any more adjustments as it is working so well.
>
> Dennis H was also correct in that I was missing the rubber stopper. I didn’t even know one existed! now when I shut the door the two bearings quietly hit and roll on the rubber and no more distinctive metal clack when I shut the door.
>
> So, thanks to each of you on the list and outside that gave me the info and parts I needed to do this work on my van.
> Now, anyone on the east coast that wants a great summer folk concert with VW camping look for the Falcon ridge Folk Festival. I’ll be there with my quiet door!
>
> Eric Caron 85 GL Auto Westfalia.
>
>
>
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