Date:         Wed, 10 Nov 1999 23:30:11 EST
Reply-To:     Gary McEachern <glmce@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Gary McEachern <glmce@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Sluggish slider fix on '84 GL
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

The release mechanism on the slider of my '84 GL was acting very sluggish.
It took a lot of force to depress the handle to open the slider. I was
afraid the handle was going to break on me (been there.. done that!). After
depressing the handle, it often took a couple of seconds before the the
slider would pop out allowing the door to be opened. I decided to fix the
problem before the weather got too cold. I bought a used rear hinge/roller
assembly from a local U-do-it bone yard suspecting the spring in this part
was shot. This was not the case!

I removed the door panel, the rear slider track cover (2, phillips
screws)and the slider hinge assembly(3, 13mm bolts). . The hinge was worn
but OK. I looked further.. The problem turned out to be the rear latch
assembly. I removed and inspected it (3, phillips screws). The grease, used
to lube this part, after 15 years had taken the look and feel of candle wax!
Needless to say this "gummed up" the mechanism big time. After cleaning the
caked grease off the part, I applied white lube to the latch mechanism and
then reassembled the door. I took the opportunity to clean and lube the 3
rails and rollers that the door glides on.

Oh yeah..What a difference!

I'll bet this problem has caused many a door handle to break!

Good Luck

Gary


Gary McEachern, Reading Ma.
'84GL Sunroof
'87GL Wolfsburg Weekender
'75 Spitfire

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