Sliding door runner cover removal problems

a-marshal

73 westy .. I'm trying to remove the sliding door runner cover to address some small rust issues before the become larger.. but I'm having troubles.

I've removed the three screws but both Bentley and Haynes refer to a retaining strip which I dont seem to have one of.. it does not even look like I have a place for one.

The cover seems to be held very firmly in place by a row of clips.. before I do something stupid (always an option) am I missing something? or do I just take the rubber mallet to it?

Thanks

busdaddy · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 6:32 am Post subject:

Bentley neglects to mention that the strip ended in the 71 model year, a 73 won't have one.
Rubber hammer or a piece of 1X4 with the end ground to a chisel tip so it gets right up into the top bend is your next step.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Wanted, 68-73 westy OG plaid curtains, singles OK.

borninabus · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 6:37 am Post subject:

did you get the phillips head screw from the inside of the car?

could be a late bay thing...
_________________
'71 - 1600DP, C/W - 32NDIX - o19
VW Logo

Air Cooleds Only VW Logo

BAY PRIDE

a-marshal · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 7:08 am Post subject:

Got the inside screw.. getting the rubber mallet out now..

Thanks guys..

nathansnathan · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 7:25 am Post subject:

my early 72 has the strip, I think - terrible way to hold that piece on, like nails over a chalkboard to think about installing those. Evil or Very Mad

aircoolnut · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:38 pm Post subject:

I know this is kind of an old thread, but I just removed the cover on my wife's 70 and the retaining strip is trashed. It was mostly rusted away. I could only get the front half it to break free before buckling out the gap in the middle of the rail. Anyway, is there a replacement for it out there somewhere? Didn't see one at The Bus Depot. Thanks.

busdaddy · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 4:12 pm Post subject:

I've been running without mine for 10+ years on the 71, can't tell the difference, later buses didn't even have them from the factory.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Wanted, 68-73 westy OG plaid curtains, singles OK.

rustbus · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 4:52 pm Post subject:

I wonder if initially this strip could have been a security feature - maybe its possible to take out the 3 philips screws, remove the cover and lift/bump the back of your slider door up and off? d'oh!

i dunno...maybe not? ...i'm not going to try.

i can't see why else they would use the strip on the slider door side and not the other side...?

personally, i kinda like the strip for some reason. sure its a bit of a pain, maybe useless, but i think its kind of an interesting application of wedges.
_________________
May of '72 Deluxe. Red Bay Bus

2.0L L-Jet CS & 091 trans conversion
my Bus thread

aircoolnut · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 5:36 pm Post subject:

We may end up running without also Busdaddy. But since the channel is wider than the ones that don't use the strip, I don't want the cover to rattle around in the channel without the added thickness of the strip to fill the gap. Perhaps using a thicker seal such as a length of fender beading?

The security idea is an intriguing one rustbus, but I think the latch at the rear of the door might make it hard to pry out. You could definitely take the hinge loose though.

vwheelintheski

My '68 has the retaining strip but it would not budge until I removed the plastic beading between the cover and body. I would like to know how to get the cover off of the other side (drivers).

aircoolnut · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 10:54 pm Post subject:

Just like Busdaddy says, get yourself a piece of 1x4, about 2 feet long worked for me. Bevel one end to match the inside of the cover. Remove the three screws holding he cover down and slide it up under the cover and start banging away with the rubber mallet on the opposite end of your 1x4 to drive the cover up. I found it best on both sides to start from the rear and once it starts to move, just work your way forward. Also, I had the windows out when I did this so I could take a putty knife and pry between the seal and the channel to help free it.

SGKent · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 11:02 pm Post subject:

classifieds for a used one or buster bus or busco.

They aren't bad to drive loose if kept greased and done every few years but if rusty I can't imagine one coming apart easily. My 1971 had one and I was dreading that removal on this 1977. I cannot tell you how pleased I was to find that 1977 did not use them.
_________________
Steve aka Merlin the Wrench

formerly Steve's Racing and Engine Blueprinting. Wrenching since 1967.

bdamico on GF wrote

SixStringMadMan · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:40 am Post subject:

My 78 has the strip. When putting the cover back on do you remove the strip, install the cover, and then slide the strip back in place? Tried reinstalling the cover with the strip in place and not having much luck so far.
_________________
1978 Kombi
http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-10020.htm

crushie · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:00 am Post subject:

jtauxe · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 8:09 am Post subject:

busdaddy · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 8:14 am Post subject:

Amskeptic · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 8:17 am Post subject:

BusterBrown · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 8:28 am Post subject:

busdaddy · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 8:54 am Post subject:

Amskeptic · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:10 am Post subject:

>Help >Donate >Buy Shirts >Register >Log in	See all Samba banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

Sliding door runner cover removal problems
Goto page 1, 2 Next

	Forum Index -> Bay Window Bus	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time Goto page 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2