Sliding door won't open
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Sliding door won't open
The door panel came loose on our sliding door and got jamed between the door and the van when my wife tried to shut it. At first we had a hard time getting the door open. Eventually we got it to open again. We removed the door panel completely for the time being. The door opened okay a few times, but then you could only open it from the inside.
Now the sliding door won't open at all. Has anyone run across this before??? Something must be broken or out of place inside the door.
Now the sliding door won't open at all. Has anyone run across this before??? Something must be broken or out of place inside the door.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,452
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
Hi Haslipe:
Welcome to our FTE forum.
A stuck sliding door is a pretty common affliction for us Aerostar owners. I believe it's a bent rod most of the time. Do a search on this forum and you will find many many threads dealing with this.
Welcome to our FTE forum.
A stuck sliding door is a pretty common affliction for us Aerostar owners. I believe it's a bent rod most of the time. Do a search on this forum and you will find many many threads dealing with this.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 373
Likes: 1
From: Calgary
You can access the linkage now that the panel is removed if you tug it all the way give the front of the door a hard shove from the inside. Clean and lube the strikers and check for alignment of same, they may have been damaged during the initial slam fest or maybe some plastic is jammed in there. It's one of those times where you have to show your star "Who's your Daddy"
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 42
From: The OC
You may have a broken rail attach bolt. The rail attaches to the body, and my front one broke and we could not open or close it sometimes. When you open the sliding door all the way, check where the rail curves in and check for a loose rail indicating a loose or broken rail attaching bolt.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Well thanks for the responses. I tried to fiddle with it this weekend. The problem is definately that the rear latch isn't opening. If I force the rod that goes back to the latch forward and then try to open the door it would sometimes work. Most of the time though I would have to do that repeatedly to get the door completely open. I even figured out that there is a way to adjust the rod a little bit at the front of the door, but that didn't make much of a difference. I think the whole thing got tweaked enough that I'm not going to be able to fix it on my own. Probably time to start looking for another door at a salvage yard.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
replacement door won't help if top middle or bottom track is bend or broken
download truck year .iso from Ford Service cd's (click) for your Aero and burn cd....whole section on slider door adjustment and service
download truck year .iso from Ford Service cd's (click) for your Aero and burn cd....whole section on slider door adjustment and service
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,242
Likes: 0
From: Kiev, Ukraine
Trending Topics
Freshman User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: southern colorado
my 93 slider froze shut. Gave it a vicious yank which caused the handle to override the plastic and remain stuck outward 90 degrees. The operating rod smacked the latch and threw it out of alignment.
At the front of the door, undo the rod retainer, work the rod til the door opens once, then unbolt the latch at the rear of the door and hold it in your hand, it can be worked sort of like cocking and firing a revolver. You may visually see that the two pieces are out of alignment, like the hammer and trigger. Bend them until they work every time.
This is easier than it may sound.
At the front of the door, undo the rod retainer, work the rod til the door opens once, then unbolt the latch at the rear of the door and hold it in your hand, it can be worked sort of like cocking and firing a revolver. You may visually see that the two pieces are out of alignment, like the hammer and trigger. Bend them until they work every time.
This is easier than it may sound.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Problem Sloved!!!
Originally Posted by coldgeorge
my 93 slider froze shut. Gave it a vicious yank which caused the handle to override the plastic and remain stuck outward 90 degrees. The operating rod smacked the latch and threw it out of alignment.
At the front of the door, undo the rod retainer, work the rod til the door opens once, then unbolt the latch at the rear of the door and hold it in your hand, it can be worked sort of like cocking and firing a revolver. You may visually see that the two pieces are out of alignment, like the hammer and trigger. Bend them until they work every time.
This is easier than it may sound.
At the front of the door, undo the rod retainer, work the rod til the door opens once, then unbolt the latch at the rear of the door and hold it in your hand, it can be worked sort of like cocking and firing a revolver. You may visually see that the two pieces are out of alignment, like the hammer and trigger. Bend them until they work every time.
This is easier than it may sound.
As I worked the latch in my hand it got jammed up. I was able to fit a mini screwdriver in it and bent the lever so it wouldn't slide past the firing mechanism. After that I ran it through our parts washer, WD-40'd the heck out of it, got 3 new bolts and put it all back together. I finished it all off by lubricating the door tracks, and now the door works better than ever. Thanks to everyone for their input.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: southern colorado
As a usually bumbling amateur, I make plenty of mistakes and have more questions than answers. So it really makes me fell good that I may have helped you on the door. Mine froze with ice and snow and minus 10 degrees out, lots of fun. Aint it a pleasure when you whip a problem!!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
get a spray can of white litium grease....best stuff made for the Aero sliding door tracks, hinges and mechanism
use the WD40 for charcoal starter...watch out though...food contaminated with burned WD40 oil barrel drippings will make you STERILE
spray the big rubber foam rubber door seals with clear silicone spray....displaces the water....keeps the seals from freezing in winter....soft, pliable and they seal better
use the WD40 for charcoal starter...watch out though...food contaminated with burned WD40 oil barrel drippings will make you STERILE
spray the big rubber foam rubber door seals with clear silicone spray....displaces the water....keeps the seals from freezing in winter....soft, pliable and they seal better
Last edited by 96_4wdr; Sep 10, 2006 at 01:44 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jmcgee
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Jan 16, 2012 01:33 PM
slaponte
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
2
Jan 12, 2011 07:07 AM
fred white
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Mar 24, 2003 08:51 AM