Date: Tue, 4 Feb 1997 16:47:10 +0200
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: "Richard Lumb" <richard.lumb@dlr.de>
Subject: Re: My Sliding door does not open?
> Date: Tue, 4 Feb 1997 08:30:03 -0600
> Reply-to: campvw@isys.ca
> From: campvw@isys.ca (perry)
> To: Multiple recipients of list <vanagon@lenti.med.umn.edu>
> Subject: My Sliding door does not open?
> Hi folks, I'm havingt trouble opening my sliding door! It seem that the
> little wheel on the outside of the van is not running along the track like
> it should. When I try to open the door the wheel falls of the track on the
> inside side? Kinda a weird to explain. It seems to be very lose. I tryed to
> take the panel off but it seems that u have to do more than take the two
> screews off??? Can anyone help me with this.
>
> Ps I hope I don't have to take the door off to replace that slider wheel?:(
>
> 85 panel camper
>
>
>
The top edge of the panel sits in a U shaped channel together with a
weather strip. It's a tight fit! Before trying to remove it spray
some WD40 or equivalent along the top edge then _hit_ the panel
upwards with the palm of your hand (suitably protected with a cloth
or such!) starting with the rearmost end. Should come out.
Taking the sliding door out is not quite so bad as it seems - from
the end of '84 (September?) this was made easier. :-). It does
however rely on being able to move the door backwards! :-(
There is a cut out in the top edge of the track exposed by removing
the panel. This allows the problematic wheel to be removed from the
track (or put back into it?). Allign the wheel with the cut out and
lift a little - it should be possible to 'wiggle' the ruuner away
whilst someone else supports the weight of the door. With this back
edge now free, move the door completely backwards until the topmost
runner in the door opening can be released from its track. Lastly
swing the door outwards allowing the lower runner to be removed from
the cutout in the bottom track in the lower rearmost corner of the
door opening.
Hope that makes sense, & HTH
Rich Lumb
'86 Westy