To remove those clips that hold door panels on I use a very sophicicated
tool- a dinner knife.  Better to use one from your camping stash than
your fine dinner ones- the wife will appreciate it better- trust me!  Then
sneak the knife behind the panel and gently pry out to "pop" out the
pieces. They should stay attached to the door panel and not the door.  By
the way, be sure to take off the necessary door hardware before hand.  FOr
the sliding door, this is the opening handle and the lock-open cover- i
think.
Good luck, we are counting you. no pressure
Matthew
84 weekender

Matthew Pollard             http://www.uidaho.edu/~poll7356
Dept. of Chemistry               http://www.chem.uidaho.edu
University of Idaho                   http://www.uidaho.edu

On Fri, 5 Nov 1999, Bill wrote:

> Interesting post - same problem on my van as well. Question - how do you
> remove the inside panel. ie the clips that hold the panel? Is there a tool
> or do you just drill out the centers?
>
> Bill-->.
>
>
> >I had that exact same problem.
> >As I had the inside panel off of the door at the time  it was real easy to
> >dismantel the entire latch mechanism and clean and inspect it.
> >As it turns out the problem was wear in the latch mechanism inside the
> >door lock itself(at the rear of the door).
> >Clean every thing you can see real good- then work all the parts you can
> >observe and see how they interact- my permanent (so far) solution was
> >simply to take a small file to the lock parts where they interact and
> >clean them up a bit.
> >Of course the quick fix would be to buy a new latch mechanism but I dont
> >think you can do the R&R without taking the door panel off.
> >
> >Jaymac,  87 Vanagon GL (2WD) 195,000 miles  (20,000 miles on motor)
> >
> >sam pacifico wrote:
> >
> >> The sliding door on my '87 vanagon has suddenly started to pop open on
> >> its own while the vehicle is moving.  Is there some adjustment that I
> >> can make to secure this door again?
>