Left hand drive side door rear latch.

[syncro4us]

Left hand drive side door rear latch.
For a 1986 syncro left hand drive the rear latching mechanism appears to lock ok but when I go over a bump it flips the mechanism open allowing the sliding door to pop open and to roll back.Its only just started doing this and nothing has been changed with the door
Is there a fix for this mechanism like repalcement return spring or filing the tip of the latch claw . I have tried adjusting the position of the latch pin in the pillar which works for a while but it still keeps comming open.
does it need a replacement part. if so has anyone got one in good condition presumably second hand or can you still get these new?

Kevin

[syncro4us]

Sorted

Replaced the bearings on the top of the door guide at rear of sliding door as the old ones were buggered in fact one wasnt even there and the other cracked after I cleaned it!!, dont buy VW parts but get them from and engineers they are standard £4 each instead of £18 each.
Anyway thought that would solve the problem but if anything it got worse so I rang Aiden ( who serviced my syncro gearbox and did a top job on it ) in Warrington and went over to pick up a door lock he had. we took the old one off which turned out to be bent also I didnt realise it but the oldn was only latching to the first stage so no wonder it kept comming undone.
With the repalcement lock it went home fine and stayed located all the way back to Chester. Way to go!

problem solved..... this one anyway

kevin

[Aidan]

for information the rear guide bearings are 608, best quality SKFs are about £3.85 plus vat each, cheap bearings from £2 each, the circlips are weird things !
front bottom and top guide bearings are 609 about a fiver each
the bottom runner bearing and the rear runner bearing are vw specials and silly money, specially made by FAG, none on shelf at FAG and no intention to ever produce them again (but maybe someone will make them when they all run out), in th emeantime check your runner track and clean up the rusty eadge and lube it to reduce wear on the roller bearing case

[amlkal]

I have just fixed what sounds to be the same problem.
its caused by wear on the centre pin that holds the lock claw..which gives play,which is why it only happens at certain times.
if you take the lock out, you will see the pin or shaft that i am talking about, it is part of the catch itself,
the way i did it was the break the shaft off the catch,and then file down about 2mm from the shaft (the side that the screws go through.)
then comes the fiddly part of putting it all back togetherand bolting it back to the door(the bolt will hold the shaft in place.
the claws should now line up ..

hope my description is ok to follow.... this worked atreat for my door....

[CovKid]

Also, using thick grease in this area can in the winter months leave that catch moving too slowly to actually bite. Oil is a better bet I think.