Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2021 12:50:42 -0700
Reply-To: Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Rear hatch
In-Reply-To: <B946288C-7B14-421B-893A-6990F853432B@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
hi Eric,
Yes... I swap the struts from the other van and it is still NOT working....
well it's working but feels heavy and needs my effort to push it up...
it looks like the hinges are binding... not a highest priority but it's
nagging me...
thanks
On Wed, Sep 22, 2021 at 11:41 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
> Hi Dan,
>
> Does it feel super heavy with the struts that are working on the other van
> or with new struts?
>
> Is it heavy with weight or with friction or binding hinges?
>
> I know, finding the problem for me is the first big challenge, then find a
> solution.
>
> Hang in there.
>
> Eric Caron
>
>
> On Sep 22, 2021, at 2:29 PM, Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> The hatch on my van feels like it weighs a couple tons WITH the struts...
> something's not quite right...
>
> I am debating putting stronger struts but then I may not be able to pull
> it down to close it.
>
> Thanks all for your inputs...
>
> On Wed, Sep 22, 2021 at 7:04 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net>
> wrote:
>
>> Oh boy!
>>
>> That seems like a bit of a reach. I replaced that motor once and
>> it is not heavy. Also, pretty sure it is just about in the center. I
>> would think many other things like bike racks and other hatch attachments
>> would be more likely to cause a problem than the small motor, even over
>> time.
>>
>> The bigger problem with the wiper is the grommet that now does exist and
>> should be replaced when letting in water!
>>
>>
>>
>> Eric Caron
>> 85 GL Auto
>>
>>
>> > On Sep 22, 2021, at 12:19 AM, OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@COMCAST.NET> wrote:
>> >
>> > My guess would be that on Hatches with Window Wipers, the Wiper
>> Motor may
>> >
>> > add more weight to 1 side ~
>> >
>> >> On 21 Sep , 2021, at 6:16 PM, David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM>
>> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> I replaced the struts soon after I got the van in 2008. The old ones
>> had
>> >> just gotten tired, and would not hold the hatch up. I just got
>> whatever
>> >> was available at some place like NAPA. They came left and right. I
>> could
>> >> not tell one from the other, so I asked. The answer I got was that no
>> one
>> >> really knew, but that if I put them wrong, the hatch could tell! I
>> later
>> >> learned that it was that one was more resistant than the other, but at
>> the
>> >> time I still didn't understand the reason. Maybe I still don't. If
>> the
>> >> originals were too strong, why not make both sides just a tad weaker
>> rather
>> >> than one side more so? Also, why would it matter which side was
>> stronger?
>> >> Or maybe, and I just don't remember this, do they have different
>> fasteners
>> >> on the two sides, Dennis? Still going strong on those 13 yo FLAPS
>> struts.
>> >> mcneely
>> >>
>> >> On Tue, Sep 21, 2021 at 2:06 PM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com
>> >
>> >> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> At some point the factory supplied different struts for each side
>> with the
>> >>> combined operation being to hold the hatch in most any position. Some
>> folks
>> >>> can't reac it whe all the way up and also full extension is a problem
>> in
>> >>> some garages. As for them failing frequently they don’t like winter,
>> fast
>> >>> operation, slamming into the end stops, and being touched or pulled
>> from
>> >>> the side. Personally, I miss the old reliable torsion springs used on
>> the
>> >>> bay window hatches.
>> >>>
>> >>> Dennis
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> -----Original Message-----
>> >>> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of
>> Dan
>> >>> Lamb
>> >>> Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2021 2:51 PM
>> >>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> >>> Subject: Re: Rear hatch
>> >>>
>> >>> It sounds like the hinges are still binding. Might try loosening
>> hinge
>> >>> bolts slightly either at the door jamb or on the door itself and see
>> if a
>> >>> very small nudge will allow the hinges to move more freely. Also
>> check the
>> >>> gap all around. Could be it got dropped or pushed down hard with
>> something
>> >>> in a corner that left it with a slight warp or twist. If you see a
>> >>> difference, put a 2x4 in the opposite corner and push down gently to
>> try to
>> >>> straighten it.
>> >>> Could remove the struts and rule them out as part of the problem.
>> Yeah,
>> >>> door is heavy. Maybe get someone to help. Good luck. At least it
>> works.
>> >>> Haha Dan Country Homes Camper, the Huckleberry Sky
>> >>>
>> >>>> On Sep 21, 2021, at 1:31 PM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net>
>> wrote:
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Hi Dan,
>> >>>>
>> >>>> I recommend trying new struts. You can always have a spare ready if
>> >>> that isn’t it.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Or, try struts from one of your other vans and see if it is healthy
>> >>> again.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Eric Caron
>> >>>> 85 GL Auto
>> >>>> Changed struts from GW in 2014 and still good.
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>>> On Sep 21, 2021, at 2:23 PM, Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> Thank you all.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> I will try some struts combinations.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> The thing is ... the hatch does not go down if I stop pushing it, it
>> >>>>> stays, so I am safe here. It doesn't go up as easily as on my other
>> >>>>> vans and pulling it to close requires as much effort to push it to
>> open.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> On Tue, Sep 21, 2021 at 11:14 AM David Beierl <dbeierl@gmail.com>
>> >>> wrote:
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> On Tue, Sep 21, 2021 at 2:11 PM Gil Ngai <gil@dayonemedia.ca>
>> wrote:
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> How do you tell which are the strong struts when buying them?
>> >>>>>>> Do you know where to get them?
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> If I once knew which was which I've forgotten. But Bus Depot can
>> >>>>>> tell you I'm pretty sure.
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> Yrs,
>> >>>>>> d
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>
>>
>
>
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