sliding door rear catch jammed

[Miles]

I can't close my sliding door (early model). Since I got the van, the sliding door has needed a good slam to close. Today it won't close at all. There is a solid clunk as the rear catch hits the striker, but the catch won't rotate at all. I've tried turning it with a wrench with the handle pulled open, and with the handle closed, and now I've taken off the door card and removed the link rod. Haynes says that in order to remove the catch, it must be in the locked position, and when I tried to remove it, the open latch protrudes and won't retract through the hole in the door. I can't find any mention of this problem. Could it be something to do with my wife and daughter simultaneously operating both the inside and the outside handle? The handle and catch mechanism still feel OK. When I pull the connecting rod it pulls smoothly against a powerful spring. But the catch is seized completely solid. Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Miles

[Plasticman]

hi miles , your first visit here? or you been lurking a while, what van you got , any history and pickies to post up
mm

[Miles]

Hi Metalmick
Thanks for looking at this.
I have been lurking occasionally since we got the van in Jan 2012. It is a T25 registered Aug 1983. I think I have finally figured out how to upload the photo of the catch, but I can't see it ?????
Miles

[CovKid]

Doesn't look as though its ever been treated to any grease and constant slamming is a sign that things were not fine to start with. You may just have worn everything out. However, start by undoing the hexagon base on the pin that the catch engages with (on door frame) and see if moving this, then re-tightening, produces better results. It may be too far in or down for the catch to ride over and hold.

[Plasticman]

i think even on the early ones you can sit inside and view whats happening with it before shifting stuff about.
mm

[Plasticman]

R, he says it wont turn with a wrench/whench lol so i figure remove it and looksee, they shpould still wiggle out in the semi open position.
then go to general and intro yourself and oppologise for lurking like a voyeur for a year and post a pick up of your vanm and give your rough location in your sig, not saying its rough wjhere you are but..........
mm

[Miles]

Metalmick has got the picture. The catch is not just stiff. It gives a strong impression that it won't budge unless something breaks. I have taken the card off and everything seems to look and work as it should, except I can't see the mechanism of the catch. I removed the three screws, and however much I jiggled it I could't get the U bit that's supposed to turn, to go through the cut-out in the door. Which is why Haynes says it must be in the other position. Thanks Mr Haynes.
Miles

[Miles]

MM
I can't find the general to apologise to him - seriously, where do you update your profile etc on here?
Miles

[Miles]

Found it. User Control Panel - Doh!
Miles

[Miles]

I took it to a garage and he cut off the protruding lobe of the U bit to get the catch out of the door, so now I'm looking for a new (or second-hand) latch, or even the whole door. The garage has got the latch he removed, but I found photos of one - attached - except this is for a RHS door, and I need one for the LHS door. Does anyone know where I might find one?
Thanks
Miles

[colouredFunk]

Nothing like resurrecting an old thread.

...Did you have much like with it? My door requires a massive slam to get it shut, otherwise it just bounces back.

[CovKid]

Updating this one. Had the familiar problem (on cold days or evenings) of door not catching at back and it bouncing out. No amount of moving door frame pin helped. As I couldn't leave it like that, I got the torch out and discovered that the hook part of rear catch only seemed to return very slowly if I manually moved it. Obviously if it doesn't spring back fast, the catch can't grab the pin on inside door frame. When the weather is almost freezing, this sluggishness can be pronounced.

Good dose of spray grease, let it soak for a few seconds, and hook snapped back quickly. Went to shut door - hey presto! Added to WIKI