Eric,
As to the 'where to apply' part of your question, I applied the tape to the
friction surfaces of both the top and bottom rails, not the bearings
themselves.
I did this a year ago and it is working great.

On Wed, Jun 6, 2018 at 8:03 AM Patrick Seurynck <climb12@gmail.com> wrote:

>
> Eric,
> I used some of that special tape, PTFE, on my sliding door and it works
> great! 84 Westy.
> The surface has to be perfectly clean and the tape has to be a precision
> fit with no loose ends or tabs that can catch.
> It reduced friction and quieted the sliders some as well.
> Patrick
>
> On Mon, Jun 4, 2018 at 4:56 PM Eric Caron <eric.caron@icloud.com> wrote:
>
>> OK parts ordered,
>>
>>         Wish me luck, I went with the new hinge, the door stop, and the
>> bearing kit
>>
>>
>> I’ll do the work  with a friend who recently removed and returned his 78
>> bus slider.  So it is hopefully similar.
>>
>> Any tips are appreciated.
>>
>> I will want to clean up the track under the outer shield as I can feel
>> some flaking paint.
>>
>> Any tips on that are appreciated.
>>
>> I’m planning to clean well and sand then prime and paint that hidden area
>> with rattle can paint.  So any tips on primer and paint are appreciated.
>> It isn’t very rusty in there but the paint is starting to flake to my touch
>> on the track.
>>
>> I also have some special tape I purchased for the track from a related
>> thread several years ago.  Anyone have any thoughts on that tape and how to
>> use it correctly and where?
>>
>> Thanks for everyone’s advice and suggestions.
>>
>> Eric Caron 85 GL Auto
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jun 3, 2018, at 17:24, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> It would most likely be best to get the complete hinge assembly, part
>> 251843336B.
>> You probably also need the stop, 251843876.
>> This is a 2 person job and preferably one of them with practice. Both the
>> hinge and striker bolt on the van get adjusted.
>>
>> Dennis
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
>> Of Eric Caron
>> Sent: Sunday, June 3, 2018 4:28 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Re: Sliding door question
>>
>> Hi folks,
>>
>>        I was able to look at other vanagon door hinges and mine is not
>> working like others.  My spring can move back and forth.  the others are
>> held in place.  Mine seems out of position.
>>
>>        those looking at it wiht me suggested removing it and seeing about
>> getting the spring back in place.
>>
>> I don’t think my skills are up to this at least not in a timely fashion.
>>
>> Myu plan is to order the hinge as Stuart recommended, and while the door
>> is partly off I might as well replace any replaceable parts as they are
>> likely well worn.
>>
>> So, what parts can I replace?  So far it sounds like the hinge and the
>> bushing set.
>>
>> I will also clean the track under the cover and probably spray that with
>> some paint to preserve.
>>
>> What else can I do to get the best life and health out of the sliding
>> door?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Eric Caron
>> 85 GL Auto
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jun 2, 2018, at 16:25, Eric Caron <eric.caron@icloud.com> wrote:
>>
>> 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?
>> >
>>
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