Sliding door issues
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Senior User
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From: Rochester, NY
Sliding door issues
Lately (within the past few days) the sliding door on my van has gotten finicky. Most times I have to push inward on the back of it to get it to latch properly, which means you can't pull it closed from the inside. It occurs to me that the latches and tracks probably could stand some lubrication. What's the best way to do this? I could spray the hell out of it with WD40, but that doesn't seem like a long-lived fix...
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From: Southern California
Rick:
Check the rear track (the one that ran all the way to the back of the van). A lot of times this track is broken and detached from the body near the post for the door latch. When that happens, you'll have to push the backside of the door inward just like you said in order to close it.
Check the rear track (the one that ran all the way to the back of the van). A lot of times this track is broken and detached from the body near the post for the door latch. When that happens, you'll have to push the backside of the door inward just like you said in order to close it.
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From: Southern California
The track at about waist level is attached to the rear part of the body. Look at the end of the track near the latch bolt, where it curves inward toward the inside of the van. When you slam the door, that inward curve is what pulls the backside of the door in, latching the door. The track is usually broken at that end, and when that happens, the door won't latch unless you push the rear part of the door inward manually. If you'll click on my alias and send me an email, I'll automatically get your email address, and I'll send you a picture.
When mine broke, I had to put in a sheet metal screw to hold it in place. It's been OK so far.
Another possible culprit is the ceramic sleeve around the latch bolt. If that's worn out, you'll also have difficulty closing the door. Fortunately, they sell those things by the bagfuls at Kragen or Autozone. Don't go to the dealer and get robbed like I did, buying the whole latch post. Stupid me
When mine broke, I had to put in a sheet metal screw to hold it in place. It's been OK so far.
Another possible culprit is the ceramic sleeve around the latch bolt. If that's worn out, you'll also have difficulty closing the door. Fortunately, they sell those things by the bagfuls at Kragen or Autozone. Don't go to the dealer and get robbed like I did, buying the whole latch post. Stupid me
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From: Rochester, NY
The front end of the track does in fact seem to be loose, now that I've had the chance to look at in it in the light. A sheet metal screw did it, eh? Did you have any trouble getting into there to drill the hole?
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From: Southern California
Originally Posted by Torsen Rick
The front end of the track does in fact seem to be loose, now that I've had the chance to look at in it in the light. A sheet metal screw did it, eh? Did you have any trouble getting into there to drill the hole?
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From: Salt Lake City, Utah
What I did on mine, is I apply white lithium grease straight from the tube onto the parts. It stays put, and lubricates well, both hot and cold. Since you have a loose track, that will be the problem. But the linkage and latch must still be lubed periodically.
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From: ALCONA ONTARIO
Mine is doing the exact same thing. On the weekend in a minor fit of rage, I slammed the door shut a lot harder than I should have and now it requires a push at the back to close properly. After reading this thread, I ran out to look at the track and where it curves inward near the post I can move it up and down a little. My question is where specifically are the screws located that hold the track onto the body? I didnt see one along the 6 inches or so that curves inward near the post, is there one there?
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From: Southern California
Originally Posted by Aerocook
Mine is doing the exact same thing. On the weekend in a minor fit of rage, I slammed the door shut a lot harder than I should have and now it requires a push at the back to close properly. After reading this thread, I ran out to look at the track and where it curves inward near the post I can move it up and down a little. My question is where specifically are the screws located that hold the track onto the body? I didnt see one along the 6 inches or so that curves inward near the post, is there one there?
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From: Rochester, NY
That's the same thing I saw. I may just tolerate having to push the door in at the back for now. Sometimes it still closes ok on its own. But I'm not sure if the van will have much of a body after we get through the next season of road salt, so I'm don't think I'm going to do more then I have to on it. Right now, removing the sliding door to fix the track is pretty low on my list of have-to-do things...
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From: Northern PA
Originally Posted by Torsen Rick
The front end of the track does in fact seem to be loose, now that I've had the chance to look at in it in the light. A sheet metal screw did it, eh? Did you have any trouble getting into there to drill the hole?
Now what REALLY frosts me (no pun intended) is the weather strip over the sliding door. It always freezes and it's almost impossible to get the sliding door open without just about ripping that stinking weatherstrip loose very time.
I've tried silicone lube, synthetic grease, etc. but it always freezes tight in the winter after a snow storm.
Not to hijack the thread, but, any thoughts, guys?