TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Aug 04, 2009 6:24 pm

Hi...I just received my new door handle for my 69 bus sliding door. It fit great, however I can't get the silly button that comes with it on the handle. What's the secret. My husband tried it and can't do it either. Yes I'm a woman trying to do some restoration on my new toy. Thanks for any info. L[/b]

Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:00 pm

button.. hmm my 72 doesnt have a button that i can think of . Ive never seen an early bay slider handle. No :arrow: :idea:

Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:44 pm

A woman who calls her Bus a toy... that got me. I just went and looked at my button, and it appears that maybe a tiny roll pin holds it in? There's two tiny holes opposite each other that I would guess a pin goes in to hold it on? I don't know. I just liked that you called your Bus your new toy. :lol:

Wed Aug 05, 2009 7:20 am

Thanks ccpalmer for your reply. The handle slipped on perfectly, it even worked when I opened the door from the inside....not bad for a GramE. However, the button has no holes it looks like it's suppose to pop on. Well, my husband and I can't do it. A young hulky gentleman builder couldn't do it........I have some Gurilla Glue that would work I'm sure, thoughts?

Toy is probably the wrong term, but I almost used my real feeling of my Bus... "Baby", and decided that was too stupid sounding. We had a 71 VW Bus in the 70"s, a 69 Beetle and I had a 2000 TDI Beetle for a few years. Getting a bus back is an estatically emotional experience. My sons (3) say their Mom is a "Tree Hugger stuck in the 60's". Well maybe. Just got LillE (my Bus) 2 wks ago. She needed the handle, a middle seat and a rear bench, all of which I've found.........I can search the internet like no bodies business, and I'm in the process of trying to figure out how to get these bits and pieces put in place. This is my project. I just retired in May and I told my husband to back off........but I can't get the button on x@#%&*. Well...thanks for your feedback, off to "Tie Dye" class. L

Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:32 am

Can you post a pic? I have a 78 and a 79 and I don't think either have buttons.

Wed Aug 05, 2009 11:14 am

... I think she is talkin' about the cover for the attachment screw.

Wed Aug 05, 2009 11:21 am

If you are referring to the button that covers the mounting screw access in the interior handle, it just snaps in. However, these parts are molded and aftermarket parts may not be subject to the quality control of the originals. Check the lip of the cap that gets inserted. Is there a burr there? Remove it with sandpaper or a knife. Try putting the cap in the freezer for awhile. Then, just before trying to insert it, give the handle a long blast from a hair dryer, but not so close that you melt it. Tap the cap home with a rubber hammer. It's eighth grade physics, folks.

Wed Aug 05, 2009 11:52 am

I have a cheapy aftermarket too...

the 'cap' just plugs in...if you can't make it work, send it back, or super glue it in...the handle will last a while. It's great to be able to open the slider from both sides.

(think mines was from cip1)

sorry bout the blurry pic

Thu Aug 06, 2009 8:04 pm

Well, I looked for burs, tried the Super glue/Gruilla glue....I must have missed the 8th grade physics class, however I tried the freeze the button, then heat up the handle with the hair dryer...my husband thought I was over the edge. Results: nothing, nada, zip!! Actually, I've decided to go with the cork from my newly acquired wine bottle, at least until I find glue that will work. Unfortunately I can't send it back. Thanks for the ideas. L [/b]

Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:18 am

Where did you get this part so poorly made and why can't you return it?If bought "as is," then you either make do or toss it. Try sanding the cap or where it fits in the handle until it mates. Keep in mind that when this handle fails, you'll want to remove the cap to get at the screw.

Fri Aug 07, 2009 12:44 pm

quiltinghorses wrote: Actually, I've decided to go with the cork from my newly acquired wine bottle

:lol:

Points for improvising!

Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:28 am

Help.
On my 71 I have tried to remove the sliding door handle but unable to do. Also the locker will not work so unable to lock the door. It will move a little. I have shot it with JB blaster. The handles work for opening and closing the slider.

I even tried using a hammer on it....no luck.

Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:35 am

Which handle? inner? outer?

The inner lock won't lock unless the rear latch is fully latched, turn the handle all the way up first until you hear it click at the back. The outer lock could be lots of things from a bad key to the sleeve through the door in upside down.

The inner handle has a screw under a cap in it's center, after that more PB blaster, wiggling and maybe a crowbar. Try to pry as close to the shaft as you can or the plastic will break off the metal core.

Wed Oct 28, 2009 12:31 pm

It is the outer handle that I cannot remove on my 71. Though the locking lever works like it should so I am lucky there. Well that is the most important thing and the bus is painted. At the time during the painting I wanted to remove the handle for painting.

Wed Oct 28, 2009 12:55 pm

The inner handle has to come off first, after that put the screw back into the end of the shaft to protect the threads from collapsing and go at it with a hammer, brass preferrably.

Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:08 pm

That was what I did, but must not of hit it hard enough.

Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:33 pm

Some rust in there for life, continue the attack with the PB and hammer, someday...............

Thu Oct 29, 2009 3:35 am

Sure thing...I might have to drill a hole so I can blast the hell out of it.

Thanks you have been of great help not only to me but many others. You are amoung the few with a warehouse of knowledge.

Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:09 am

Guess what I was messing around with my inside sliding door locking lever...to my surprise it starting working. So now I can lock and unlock from the insides. Now I can lock up my bus....Thank goodness.

I think that is part of the problem on not being able to remove the outside handle. One of these days I will give it a try.

I did the best I could shooting JB Blaster into every crack over two months ago. Or it was some of the rough roads I drive on.

Now the next thing is to find something that will get my brain working :lol: