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69busboy
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2009
Posts: 47
Location: beaver pa
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 Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 3:12 pm Post subject: sliding door track repair... |
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has anyone ever replaced the lower track for the sliding door???i'm looking for advise or a good thread on this ...i have never done body work before so i am currently taking a welding class...hoping to fix it myself...
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1973 rusty westy......73 transporter (westerner package)...79 transporter auto/ac.....gone but not forgotten.......... |
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1971BUS
Samba Member
Joined: December 02, 2009
Posts: 19
Location: Brandon, MB. Canada
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| Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 3:42 pm Post subject: spooky |
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Check out this guys website, he replaced lots of rust and has lots of pictures and step by step instructions as to what he did...
http://www.specialpatrolgroup.co.uk/spooky/ |
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HunchyHillBilly
Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2008
Posts: 11
Location: Sunshine Coast Australia
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| Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 4:11 pm Post subject: Re: sliding door track repair... |
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| 69busboy wrote: |
| has anyone ever replaced the lower track for the sliding door???i'm looking for advise or a good thread on this ...i have never done body work before so i am currently taking a welding class...hoping to fix it myself... |
Here is a very good article on the subject:
http://www.specialpatrolgroup.co.uk/spooky/sills/ns/ns.html
Cheers. |
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Bradgt74
Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009
Posts: 251
Location: Minneapolis
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blatzer
Samba Member
Joined: June 27, 2007
Posts: 358
Location: Austintatious- aka ATX
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kreemoweet
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2008
Posts: 3899
Location: Seattle, WA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2023 9:43 am Post subject: Re: sliding door track repair... |
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You have to use the Wayback Machine:
http://archive.org/
Websites are temporary things. It is always a good idea to create a local copy of especially useful ones, because sooner or later they will disappear.
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'67 bug: seized by the authorities
'68 bug: seized by the authorities
'71 kombi: not yet seized by the authorities
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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Shonandb
Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2019
Posts: 1196
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2023 10:15 am Post subject: Re: sliding door track repair... |
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| 69busboy wrote: |
| has anyone ever replaced the lower track for the sliding door???i'm looking for advise or a good thread on this ...i have never done body work before so i am currently taking a welding class...hoping to fix it myself... |
I replaced all 4 jack points and a few crossmembers as well as the door track on my 76 a few years ago but I'm sure that there are some better threads on "how to". The key thing for me was using straps to hold the sliding door in place (closed) and tacking the rocker and rail in place then removing the door and doing a few welds and refitting the door to test fit. It took a few trial and error test fits and rewelds to get it close. I'm not a proficient welder so it took me a while to fit it as I was working by myself most of the time.
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76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
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orwell84
Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2007
Posts: 2539
Location: Plattsburgh, New York
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2023 10:26 am Post subject: Re: sliding door track repair... |
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I did this repair over 20 years ago using the instructions from the site mentioned. The only difference is, I used a complete piece, which made the job easier. The welding itself is not difficult, but fitting the track so that the door opens and closes properly AND lines up with the surrounding body work is a real pain. I bolted and clamped the track on so I could get it as close as possible before welding. I must have opened and closed that door hundreds of times, adjusted the door, realigned the track etc before I started welding. I welded a little at a time, checking the door fit every so often to make sure nothing had shifted.
Depending on how rusty the track is, you might be able to just replace some of the pieces. It may be easier, but hard to tell without picks. |
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typ914
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2012
Posts: 231
Location: Atlanta, Ga
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2023 6:08 pm Post subject: Re: sliding door track repair... |
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| I need to replace about 12” to 18” of bottom track and weatherstripping channel on my 78 Westfalia. I hope to do it in the next few weeks. I purchased a used rocker and plan on cutting out what I need for the repair. I plan to post pic. |
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Vangabonders
Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2013
Posts: 174
Location: Chattanooga TN
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| Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2023 3:15 pm Post subject: Re: sliding door track repair... |
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the spooky way is definitely the way to do it!
Link
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73 tintop to poptop westfalia (Frankenbus) |
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