Slide Door Middle Roller.

[maxstu]

Just filled up with £60 of petrol in preparation for a 220 miles round journey to visit Silverbullet on Tuesday. I opened the side door to grab my coat and wallet, and the door hinge middle bearing parted company with the support rail. The bearing has split in two!

I admit it has been noisy for a couple of years now. A job l never got around to investigating.

I managed to push side door back in place so it latched. Then l locked the door and very gingerly drove the 400 yards home.

I've order a new bearing from Brickwerks for special delivery, but fear it may not arrive in time.

I've delayed twice already for collecting a short block engine and parts from Silverbullet. And l don't intend to do it for a third time.

Will my camper be safe to drive? If locked, will door stay put? I dread it falling out and hurting someone.

Regards
Stuart

[maxstu]

As a precaution, l decided to exchange it for roller bearing on camper No. Two. Then new bearing can go on it.

[Aidan]

This is why I say everyone with a later van should carry a spare roller, just like carrying an spare auxillary drive belt and bulbs - easy to fix if you have one with you, without one a bit game over, especially if your rear lock is also a bit crap; at least they are readily available now, there was a short period of time when only genuine were available (for £40+), and then they weren't....fortunately for me when it happened to me I was at the secret hideout and there was a spare door, complete with fittings, on the shelf, so I robbed that one and fixed the van before driving home. Then I got a spare when brickie first remade them and put it in the glovebox, so, when the door fell off again a few years later whilst on Shetland it was a case of close and secure the door and drive a couple of miles to a car park and do the repair, then carry on holidaying.

[Mocki]

Ohh the secret hideout, there’s a blast from the past ….. i must get another spare, seeings as I’ve got two sliding doors now

[maxstu]

This is why I say everyone with a later van should carry a spare roller, just like carrying an spare auxillary drive belt and bulbs - easy to fix if you have one with you, without one a bit game over, especially if your rear lock is also a bit crap; at least they are readily available now, there was a short period of time when only genuine were available (for £40+), and then they weren't....fortunately for me when it happened to me I was at the secret hideout and there was a spare door, complete with fittings, on the shelf, so I robbed that one and fixed the van before driving home. Then I got a spare when brickie first remade them and put it in the glovebox, so, when the door fell off again a few years later whilst on Shetland it was a case of close and secure the door and drive a couple of miles to a car park and do the repair, then carry on holidaying.

Thanks for your reply, Aidan.

I had a tough time getting the damaged roller off. The inner bearing sleeve had stuck to the mounting post and no amount of pulling or levering gave success. So I had cut off the sleeve with a dremel.

[Stesaw]

Id say that's pretty dead, got your use out of it

[maxstu]

Id say that's pretty dead, got your use out of it

Half of it went walkies, never to be seen again.

[mioba]

Thats good use from that bearing. Once corrosion sets in a bearing its just a matter of time.
New bearings nowadays are really poor - hardly any grease in them even the best quality fag ones.
I always pop the seals - and repack. A dollop of grease on the palm.

[maxstu]

Replaced over the weekend. Both horizontal bearings were jammed solid on their posts. So this little puller l've owned for 30 odd years finally paid it's storage rental.

No dramas though. About two hours works in all.

I now have an almost silent sliding door. Wonderful!

Open sliding door and support with a jack.



Drop door a bit and pull out centre hinge. Place a block of wood between hinge and body panel to hold it in place



Small bearing puller at work with help of a 1/4 inch socket.



New bearing kit from Brickwerks in place.



Raise jack and lever hinge back onto rail.

Remove jack.

My thanks to all contributors.

[what2do]

How much smoother, quieter is the door now?  I'm in the middle of doing mine but like you, I need to get the Dremel out for exactly the same reason..

[maxstu]

How much smoother, quieter is the door now?  I'm in the middle of doing mine but like you, I need to get the Dremel out for exactly the same reason..

Incredibly better than before. Smoother, quieter and a simple swing of the arm closes door whether inside or outside.
I gave all the rails a thorough clean out, too. Then lightly greased everything. To me it is a huge improvement.

Good luck.

[Stesaw]

Snap


Not my van, just one that was meant to be restored.. was cleaning it out of bits. Before it goes up for sale for spares or resto.