Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2022 22:52:40 +0000
Reply-To: "ddbjorkman@verizon.net" <ddbjorkman@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "ddbjorkman@verizon.net" <ddbjorkman@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: Tips on rear hatch lock adjustment
In-Reply-To: <91CCCD45-A6B2-43BE-BA00-078FD0C2FA25@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
A tool is available, I don't know the name, made for turning ultra-tight screws. It is a cylinder probably twice the diameter of a normal heavy screwdriver. It is made so that one seats the driver end (phillips or straight) into the problem screw and then you slam the other end of the cylinder with a heavy hammer. It turns the screwdriver end, by means of an internal thread in the cylinder, about a 1/4 to 1/2 turn and breaks it free. The pressure from being hit keeps the driver in the screwhead and does not damage it.Ask the list what it's called (I wish I could) and see if you can get one.
Dave Bthe Boston one
P.S. Merry Christmas and hopes for a healthy and happy New Year!!
-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Tue, Dec 6, 2022 9:46 am
Subject: Re: [VANAGON] Tips on rear hatch lock adjustment
Thanks Dan,
I’m learning and will get there.
I’ve been able to turn out and in the side plastic, or rubber hatch bumpers. So far that makes no difference.
I’ve also moved the latch on the hatch bottom in and out. I’m settled on in toward the front of the van as slightly better.
Pushing on the hatch seems to make it easier to open. I’m dreading working on the striker plate on the rear deck as I’m afraid of messing up those screws.
But, I soaked them last night in BP Blaster and plan to see if I can move that. I think it needs to go back toward the rear of the van. Compared to my 85 that opens easily the striker plate seems more forward on the 84.
Again any tips or experiences appreciated.
Amazing that I’m still learning about these vans after all these years.
Eric
> On Dec 5, 2022, at 9:42 PM, Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> in my experience/trouble with the rear hatch... but you may find something
> differently... There are 3 points to adjust the rear hatch...
> - The center latch mechanism (moving it in and out slightly)
> - The 2 rubber bumpers on the left and right side of the body. Turning them
> to the Left to move them out, turning them to the right to move them in.
> - Move them OUT too much and make the hatch hard to catch...
> - Move them IN too much and make the hatch hard to open...
>
> On Mon, Dec 5, 2022 at 6:14 PM Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Turn to the right to increase the height, turn to the left to increase the
>> depth.
>>
>> Jim
>>
>> On Mon, Dec 5, 2022 at 8:04 PM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>>> OK, Now I understand what plastic bumpers we are talking about!
>>>
>>> So, looking at those rubber and plastic stops, how do I adjust them in or
>>> out? I feel a nut shaped exterior but it looks fragile. Do I somehow
>> turn
>>> that or does the rubber end pull off? Or does it adjust from the inside.
>>>
>>> I want to avoid braking the stop so knowing how it works would help.
>>> Eric
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Dec 5, 2022, at 8:22 PM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Plastic bumpers: extreme left and right of the back hatch opening, not
>> on
>>>> the door.
>>>>
>>>> Jim
>>>>
>>>> On Mon, Dec 5, 2022 at 6:44 PM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net>
>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> OK,
>>>>>
>>>>> I need a little more simple direction here.
>>>>>
>>>>> I don’t know where there are two plastic bumpers.
>>>>>
>>>>> If the Striker plate is on the deck then I see a little rectangle
>> rubber
>>>>> thing on the left and the post on the right. I feel three Philip head
>>>>> screw.
>>>>> The screws seem very locked in place.
>>>>>
>>>>> Not sure how to proceed to make it so the hatch will go a bit more
>>> forward.
>>>>>
>>>>> On the hatch side I have three hex head bolts. They are able to turn.
>>>>> This has the moving latch.
>>>>>
>>>>> I have noticed that pushing on the hatch makes it easier to
>> open
>>>>> so I need to figure out how to adjust something.
>>>>>
>>>>> Another description of how to adjust from a blind perspective of the
>>> rear
>>>>> hatch parts is greatly appreciated!
>>>>>
>>>>> Eric Caron
>>>>> 84 Westfalia
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> On Dec 3, 2022, at 8:56 PM, Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sorry ' made mistake in last message…set the striker plate more
>> forward
>>>>> than original when testing first…..
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Alistair
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Dec 3, 2022, at 4:44 PM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net>
>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi folks,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> My 84 rear hatch is hard to open because the lock button takes
>> a
>>>>> great deal of thumb pressure to disengage. My 85 is much easier.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Can someone give me some tips on what can be tried to relieve the
>>>>> pressure a bit? I’m guessing there is some adjustment on the latch
>>>>> somewhere but this is not something I’ve done before.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Tips on my starting place appreciated.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Eric Caron
>>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
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