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Subject:Re: Sliding Door and Cold Weather
From:Per Lindgren
Date:Mon, 7 Dec 1998 02:18:33 -0800

Bryan wrote:

> Every winter when the weather turns cold, the sliding door on our 87
> Westy develops a tendency to unlatch spontaneously.  Usually it just
> takes a couple of extra tries to close it and to leave it locked to keep
> it from popping open again.  But this year, it just won't close anymore!
>
> So, do I need a new lock assembly or is there something to adjust that
> will resolve this problem?

I had to deal with this on my moms 94 Vento (Jetta). when the door finally
opened, it was impossible to close....soluton was: take out the latch ass'y,
dry it with a blow torch (careful), hair dryer or similar, to get out the
moisture, and use some really sticky oil or thin grease, so any moisture
will not freeze any moving parts. Bicycle or MC chain oil is fine, white
grease should also work well.

PerL
88 Syncro