Date:         Tue, 13 Apr 2021 22:11:01 -0700
Reply-To:     Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject:      =?utf-8?Q?Re:_Another_thing_I_didn=E2=80=99t_know_about_my_van?=
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Eric,

The closet doors...

I put the interior from my 82 westy into my 86 Syncro tin top as part of the westy-fication.

I believe the newer westies, when ever they changed the kitchen unit lid, also improved the cupboard latches.

My old style has bent metal latches that can end up deformed. I just tweaked them with pliers. They also can suffer from the screws holding them to cabinet loosening of stripping in the wood frame.

I believe that in both early and late westy interiors the cupboard doors have small strips of foam tape , weather stripping foam tape stuff, on the flange on the door. That helps eliminate the doors rattling even if you have good latches.

The lid on the sink and stove... well that’s more of the same. Bits of foam on the mating surfaces, making sure the stove grate is tightly sprung into place on the stove top, the drying tray hinges not loose and the rubber bumpers that press against the drying tray when it’s folded on the lid are present and not too hard from age.

But stove top rattles seem to be a common thing and others will have good fixes.

Alistair 


> On Apr 12, 2021, at 8:33 PM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> Wow!  I’m not the only one doing this sound stuff!
> 
> Great info on the glove box.  I’m adding that to my task list.  Mine is rubbing slightly on eft side.  I am loving my glove box lately with new straps and the GW organizer.  The organizer really rocks! I can fit more stuff and everything is easy to find. 
> 
> Now What exactly did you do to the closet doors?
> 
> I was also tracking down small sounds this weekend.  
> 
> Most clunks seem to come from kitchen or closet doors.
> 
> I have an assortment of sticky rubber things in different shapes.  Meant for blind folks to use for tactile markers.
> 
> They are like the things used on drawers to soften the clunk when they close.  They work really well to reduce sound.
> 
> I use them on the stove lid.  I had adjusted the latch but the top still clunked when we hit bumps.  Now the right front has a rubber bumper and the latch is tight no more clunk.  The lid or drain would clunk.  The rubber bumpers inside needed a little more depth so I added to more stick on bumps and that did it.  Also keep a dish cloth under it on the grate.
> 
> Doors were vibrating a little.  I thought about adjusting the catches, but a couple rubber bumps and now all is tight and doors close satisfyingly.
> 
> Biggest remaining  clunk is the table.  I traced it to where the table  fits into the arm.  I’m trying a non elegant but practical solution. Bungy cord around table and leg and through handle strap.  Need to go for a test ride to see if clunk is reduced and bonus is table doesn’t swing out.  My table is kept high  so I can open the flip doors.  I use the extension trick on the arm to get the height.
> Some cabinet doors are tight so adjusting the latches may be in my future but the rubber stick on tiny bumps gave a quick and satisfying solution.  And the kitchen top worked well with those.
> 
> So, What was the foam sound stuff you used on the doors?
> 
> I’m planning to work hard to really sound improve my van and every small thing helps.
> 
> Eric Caron 
> 85 GL quiet enough to have a conversation with regular voices on the highway and bumpy roads.
> Even from the back seat to front!
> 
>> On Apr 12, 2021, at 10:53 PM, Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA> wrote:
>> Hi,
>> Spent a pleasant afternoon Sunday. In the van, beer, tunes, good weather. I was cleaning the interior , tightening screws, adding fresh foam “dampeners” to closet doors. Adjusting said doors latch catches etc
>> Partly because I needed too, and partly because I have this rattle or light clunking noise at times.
>> It’s not, I think , suspension components, but something else... like a wrench left in a cavity :-)
>> Spoiler alert, didn’t find the cause.
>> But did find that the glove box can be adjusted. Escaped me for many years of van ownership. The latch striker plate is adjustable as is the bracket that the hinges fit into . You can level the box and get it closing nicely .
>> Very thin strip of foam rubber along the top edge of box. Did my best to cut similar strip and install .
> 
>> Apart from the elusive clunking, was a very enjoyable couple of hours.
>> Alistair