| Author |
Message |
allsierra123
Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2006
Posts: 1462
Location: Tecate, Baja California MX
|
 Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:22 pm Post subject: really annoying problem with the front door. |
 |
|
Ok I have searched this topic and come up with nothing. The passenger side front door on my van has to be slammed really hard to get it to latch. The driver door just barely swing it and it latches. Now the passenger door has been replaced at one point. Is there an adjustment he may have gotten wrong? If so where would I find said adjusters?
_________________
95 GMC Yukon 6.5 TD 2 Door Tow pig/ Daily driver.
91 Vanagon GL. 1.9TD Conversion Sold
81 Vw rabbit 1.6 Diesel. Sold |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
16CVs 
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2004
Posts: 4026
Location: Redwood City, California
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:44 pm Post subject: Bad door |
|
|
Mine is the same way. Hinge plate on door is cracked. Look around the hinge for cracks in the metal,
Yours may be adjustable with a striker plate or door hinge bolts. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
90Doka_Guy
Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2007
Posts: 548
Location: South Jersey
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
This happened to me after i got my van painted. (The painters removed the doors) The striker plate (The plate attached to the frame, not the door) can be loosened by the two screws and moved back and forth. This adjusts how far the door sticks out upon shutting and therefore how much force is required to slam the door shut. The bentley does a pretty good job at describing how the door should be positioned when its shut so the proper adjustments are made. Also, the two hinges towards the front of the car can be repositioned back and forth by loosening the bolts for further adjustment.
_________________
-'87 Westy
-'90 Tintop
-'90 DOKA |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bridgetroll13
Samba Member
Joined: December 21, 2006
Posts: 177
Location: St. Georges, Delaware
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 3:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
I had similar symptoms, fussed with the strike plate adjustment but came to the realization that the innards of the latch mechanism had a broken spring (it got to where it would just let go and swing open while driving; most exciting). A junkyard item solved the problem for me. Someday I'll successfully dissect the offending item.
Erik D.
'82 diesel Westy, 1.9td AAZ, AAP 5 spd |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
STEPHENLAY
Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2008
Posts: 94
Location: Spokane, WA
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 12:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I have had this same problem since I bought the van in 2000. I tried to adjust it then but it do not help.
I have been going through the van as of late and so yesterday I spent a while trying to get it better but to no avail...
I adjusted the striker plate and played with up down in out left right with the 4 bolts holding the door but only got it as good as it was and that is a slam. It may be bent or repaired or something but I can't really see any real sign of this.
I will take a look at the manual.
Did you get yours to work any better? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
hentairobsan
Samba Member
Joined: September 08, 2010
Posts: 7
Location: OHIO
|
| Posted: Sat May 10, 2014 3:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| bridgetroll13 wrote: |
I had similar symptoms, fussed with the strike plate adjustment but came to the realization that the innards of the latch mechanism had a broken spring (it got to where it would just let go and swing open while driving; most exciting). A junkyard item solved the problem for me. Someday I'll successfully dissect the offending item.
Erik D.
'82 diesel Westy, 1.9td AAZ, AAP 5 spd |
Hey there this may be really late (2 yrs later) but this is for future reference for anyone having this trouble with the push back spring inside the door lock. Undo the 2 big bolts and the little one holdin the door handle on to the outside of the door. Pull off the locking mechanism. There is a spring that is causing all the trouble that is in the half hidden spot just below and behind the exposed spring in the door lock. Pretty hard to get to with big fingers. Needle nose help. Rip that broken or softened spring outta that slot. Open up 2 ball point pens. Combine the 2 pen springs together, (overlapping so they become one stronger spring) not end to end. Insert into the slot.......$2 fix......has lasted 7 yrs already......ive tried with just one spring and it doesnt last long at all....this is the best fix while campin in the middle of nowhere.....keep some ballpoint pens on hand in your toolbox....ciao |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AKWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2014
Posts: 680
Location: Haines, Alaska
|
| Posted: Sat May 10, 2014 11:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
When I first got my van you had to slam the front doors to get them to double click or shut all the way. The problem was that the mechanism on the door was worn after many years of use. I took some electrical tape and put two wraps around the strike plate ( mounted to the jamb) and now the doors shut with ease. The worn mechanism just needs more material to close around to get that second latch. Year and a half later and still going strong. No need to re tape yet.
Also note that your doors shut much easier with a window cracked. Compressing a van full of air makes it harder to shut your door. My wife still slams the door when other doors are open. I try to teach here there are two different door shutting techniques. One firm when all doors and windows are shut and one soft when another door is open or window cracked. She still doesn't get it. Sometimes I'm not sure why I try.
_________________
84' Westy 2wd
EJ22 - 4spd - Peloquin TBD
GW +1.5 Springs
215/70-16's
www.CatchTheKraken.com
"Never go to Alaska as a young man because you'll never be satisfied with any other place as long as you live." -John Muir |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32632
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
