Sliding Door Removal

Post by **StuM** » 10 Jul 2012, 12:45

Hi All,

I'm shortly going to be fitting a new sliding door to my van. I've searched Wiki and Forum, but couldn't find a guide to removal or fitting of side door. It sounds easy if Haynes is too be believed, but if anyone has any top tips, they would be much appreciated.

Many thanks,
Stu

Post by **82JEW75** » 10 Jul 2012, 17:17

Early ones really are as easy as Haynes makes out, never had a late one off.

What year did they change?

Anyway, I'd recommend having two people, it's a lot easier.

Post by **jhoward.123** » 10 Jul 2012, 20:38

Easy as pie, 3 allen key bolts onbottme runner, loosen top runner (should drop out anyway) and undo 3 bolts on the slide runner - don't drop bolts into the inner of the door like I did...pain in the a*** to get out! Just watch the sliding arm runner folding up on itself and loosing its location.

Actually simple!

Post by **StuM** » 11 Jul 2012, 07:56

Thanks. Mine is 'late' - 1985 'C' which I believe is around the time it changed.

Will give it a blast - and try to avoid loosing the bolts!

Cheers,
Stu

Post by **KylieKamper87** » 11 Jul 2012, 10:01

While you have it out maybe worth replacing the horizontal roller bearing, mine collapsed whilst in holiday in France and the door just pops out when open , brickwerks do replacements for reasonable amount

Post by **StuM** » 11 Jul 2012, 14:20

KylieKamper87 wrote:While you have it out maybe worth replacing the horizontal roller bearing, mine collapsed whilst in holiday in France and the door just pops out when open , brickwerks do replacements for reasonable amount

Thanks for the tip, I may well do just that

Post by **jimpainter** » 11 Jul 2012, 19:55

1,Take off the sliding door track cover
2,open the door and slide it back until the door track runner is level with the cutout in the track.
3,lift door runner off the track and slide door backwards until it stops.
4, swing the door around (as in like a normal door would open) and when you get to a certain angle the lower runner will slide out of the groove.
Done.

Post by **82JEW75** » 11 Jul 2012, 20:06

jimpainter wrote:1,Take off the sliding door track cover
2,open the door and slide it back until the door track runner is level with the cutout in the track.
3,lift door runner off the track and slide door backwards until it stops.
4, swing the door around (as in like a normal door would open) and when you get to a certain angle the lower runner will slide out of the groove.
Done.

Yup, just watch out for your back if you're doing it on your own, it's not so much the weight as the size and the fact that you're presumably going to be wanting to lay it flat. Have a pair of trestles nearby and leave enough room to turn around comfortably.

Post by **StuM** » 12 Jul 2012, 09:37

Thanks again all.

Was hoping to do it in the garage, but not sure I'll have the room to swing it 'open' at the last step.

Will let you know how goes.. and will take some pics for future ref too.

Post by **82JEW75** » 12 Jul 2012, 16:54

There's nothing to stop you driving the van (slowly) with the door off, you you can easily remove it, then pull the van into the garage.

You do need to be able to swing the door "open" at least 2/3 of the way if I remember correctly.

It's easy enough to hook it back on if it won't come off though, so there's no harm in trying inside.

Don't let go of it though, 'cos it'll break yer toes

Post by **StuM** » 13 Jul 2012, 12:44

82JEW75 wrote:There's nothing to stop you driving the van (slowly) with the door off, you you can easily remove it, then pull the van into the garage.

Thanks.

I was thinking more from the point of view of... will it ever stop raining!

Post by **Plasticman** » 15 Jul 2012, 14:58

jhoward.123 wrote:Easy as pie, 3 allen key bolts onbottme runner, loosen top runner (should drop out anyway) and undo 3 bolts on the slide runner - don't drop bolts into the inner of the door like I did...pain in the a*** to get out! Just watch the sliding arm runner folding up on itself and loosing its location.

Actually simple!

Wow,you like making work for yourself dont you.

remove the cover for the middle runner (2 small self tappers)
then get a mte if its the first time you done it, slide door parly open to where the dedent iis on the middle runner(mark it with felt tip etc) then lift the door of the middle track move it rearwards and tilt to disengasge the top guide,then open to 90' and remove from lower runner,,
you do NOT need to mess with any screws or bolts etc. i remove them dozens of time when fitting panals and this way allignment is set and its a variable removed..
mm

Post by **StuM** » 16 Jul 2012, 10:30

Thanks Mickey!

Post by **StuM** » 02 Sep 2012, 21:28

metalmick8y wrote: Wow,you like making work for yourself dont you.
remove the cover for the middle runner (2 small self tappers)
then get a mte if its the first time you done it, slide door parly open to where the dedent iis on the middle runner(mark it with felt tip etc) then lift the door of the middle track move it rearwards and tilt to disengasge the top guide,then open to 90' and remove from lower runner,,
you do NOT need to mess with any screws or bolts etc. i remove them dozens of time when fitting panals and this way allignment is set and its a variable removed..
mm

Thanks again for this - made it bloody easy

Cheers,
Stu

Post by **Plasticman** » 02 Sep 2012, 23:07

82JEW75 wrote:Early ones really are as easy as Haynes makes out, never had a late one off.

What year did they change?

Anyway, I'd recommend having two people, it's a lot easier.

Ive done them(late ones) with the slider cover still on,,. and no dont ask why

mm

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