Again, if anyone needs LATE model sliding door parts, I should be able to
fix you up. Let me know and I will check to confirm.

Jim

On Sun, Jun 3, 2018 at 4:52 PM KI4TLF <ki4tlf@gmail.com> wrote:

> Eric,
>
> Check and make sure the seal is not turning "gummy".
> '90 Carat that has always been parked outside had the seal keeping it from
> popping out.  You could grab the back edge of the door and with a slight
> tug it would open.  Used some silicon spray on a cloth and it'd work fine
> for about a month, then it'd get gummy again.
>
> I checked the cable and spring tension. it looked to be fine.  Replace the
> slider seal and haven't had any issues for almost 9 months now.
> We do know it was replaced before by the VW dealer, but have also found
> out that the local dealer was using aftermarket/refurbished parts in their
> repairs even when it was under factory warranty.
>
> GregM
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of Eric Caron
> Sent: Saturday, June 02, 2018 3:26 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Sliding door question
>
> Hi Jim and others,
>
> It is well lubed and very clean.
>
> Still I get no pop when opening
> I get a reasonable resistence when closing.
>
> I’ll look at some busses tomorrow to compare mine.
>
> If my spring is broken I’m good with getting the new one or if Jim has a
> good one for a 85 I would be happy with that.  I wanted to see if Jim had a
> original battery holder in his stock anyway!
>
> Eric Caron
>
>
>
> On Jun 2, 2018, at 13:27, Jim. Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Replace I guess. I have later model door parts aplenty, probably the
> earlier ones are gone. Take off that cover (two screws, bump straight up
> from below) and take a look and make sure that what you have is in place
> and lubed. When you push it it at the back, with the flat of your hand on
> the rear of the door, it should not flop or collapse but should resist your
> push, and you should have to smack it good to push it home. Conversely,
> when you release the lever, it should smartly push out on its own.
>
> Jim
>
> On Sat, Jun 2, 2018 at 11:03 AM Eric Caron <eric.caron@icloud.com <mailto:
> eric.caron@icloud.com>> wrote:
> This is great info.
>
> I think my problem is in the back, but I am not sure how to confirm this.
> The spring on the door side of the rear connector seems loose and turns
> easily even as the door is in open and close position.  I can’t imagine it
> is helping in any way.
>
> Any tips on testing and ways to improve?
>
> The rest of my door set up seems great.  It runs quiet and smooth.
>
> Tips for spring fix?
>
> Eric Caron
> 85 GL auto
>
>
>
>
> On Jun 1, 2018, at 17:26, Jim. Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM <mailto:
> jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>> wrote:
>
> Regarding "springing out" upon opening, you've got a wound spring in the
> back that jacks a steel arm out when the back is released, which carries
> the back of the door out away from the body on both early and late models.
> If it doesn't spring out readily, you have to do more work yourself to get
> the back free. More tugging. Yes, the "long handle" early doors take more
> effort to open, but if the front release and back release work
> together--the timing is of course done through adjusting the cable that
> connects the two--and the front and back springs and catches are in good
> shape, it should pop right open with either the early or late setup.
>
> If your cable is slack, the front may unlatch but the back release will
> take extended effort to free. After more wear, it won't open at all. Time
> to take a look at it.
>
> Jim
>
> On Fri, Jun 1, 2018 at 2:38 PM Jack R <jack007@comcast.net <mailto:
> jack007@comcast.net>> wrote:
>
> > What year... my 84 has a different mechanism than the later models, and
> is
> > harder to open than our friends 90.
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com <mailto:
> vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>] On Behalf
> > Of Steve Williams
> > Sent: Friday, June 1, 2018 2:19 PM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Subject: Re: Sliding door question
> >
> > Dan, good advice.
> >
> > Related: My slider works well, but the handle requires quite a lot of
> > force.  Is that normal?  Is there an adjustment?
> >
>