TheSamba.com :: View topic - 81 vanagon need sliding door hinge repair/replace advice

Fri Jan 17, 2020 7:29 pm

The hinge on my sliding door wont budge. I looked at the repair thread on the samba but the hinge placement and style are different. Any tips?

Fri Jan 17, 2020 7:44 pm

You should be able to spray WD-40 or other rust breaker of your choice with the rear sliding door track cover removed from the Right Rear Side for access. ( 2 Phillips screws , one at each end, hold it to the side of the Vanagon). GoWesty has a nice video showing the removal of the cover.
Early Vans like ours will have a guide piece for the metal track on the body instead of the multiple roller bearing set-up of the ‘86 and later Vans.
That’s available at times too if it’s in stock
Lube the hinge/ U shaped pivot joint, work the door gently if it will budge at all,
Don’t forget to lube the Rear Latch as well while the cover is off.

Fri Jan 17, 2020 9:04 pm

Hello : )
Sorry about the slider being stuck. Can you elaborate?
The exterior handle...does it turn but NOT open the door?
The interior handle...does it turn but NOT open the door?
Will the LOCK button on the INSIDE work?
...
The above items would tell me that the door was not fully shut (EASY)
The above items would tell me that the latch release cable has snapped (NOT AS EASY)
To get at the cable you will need to remove the door panel, the insulation and look for a cable that is no longer 1 piece. This is very common for early Vanagon sliders, as the cable was never meant to last 35 years or more.
...
And yes, you can release the latch without the cable. With door panel off - it takes moving the release arm within the rear latch mechanism. Pull it towards the front and the door will pop open.
...
: )

Fri Jan 17, 2020 9:09 pm

Source for replacement 1980-1984 Vanagon slider cables:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=554050

Fri Jan 17, 2020 10:24 pm

These are good slider door maintenance videos, I believe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5UrduOCJws&list=UUDy57LhSN3iRCMzpySklwRQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbbMbZ6DGgc&list=UUDy57LhSN3iRCMzpySklwRQ

Sat Jan 18, 2020 10:12 am

Thanks jlrftype7...I did use some wd40 on the L hinge. I will do it some more with some jiggling and the rear as well. The door handle moves and the interior lock is stuck in the up position. Wish me luck!

Sat Jan 18, 2020 10:35 am

Thanks plummerdesign! The door ended up not being able to shut at all because the L hinge would not move. We took the roller track cover off and the roller and hammered the L hinge into position, then put to roller back onto the track. We ended up having to kick the door shut. Now the door does not open. We opened the interior panel. The cable is in one piece. The door handle moves but is definitely NOT making the familiar unlatch sounds and feelings. I will remove the interior panel again and inspect the cable thoroughly. The interior lock is stuck in the up position.

Tue Sep 19, 2023 7:49 am

creative native wrote: These are good slider door maintenance videos, I believe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5UrduOCJws&list=UUDy57LhSN3iRCMzpySklwRQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbbMbZ6DGgc&list=UUDy57LhSN3iRCMzpySklwRQ

Thank you! I'll definitely be using these. Broke my Nylon Guide Piece off over the weekend and my sliding door damn near fell right off. Looks like these videos will come in handy.