Ceiling drop down storage stiff to open

[pematthe-1967]

2017 Cali Ocean with a rear ceiling storage cupboard. Not sure if there’s an official name for it. Just above the rear seats.

It is really stiff to open and drop down As if it is catching on the left (wardrobe cabinet) side. There’s a knack to un-latching it but the effort required getting it to open seems excessive. I don’t want to dismantle just yet to investigate but wondered if others have the same. Is it normal, or is something out of whack!

 

[Doorbundle]

That reluctance to open seems to come as standard, and yes there is a knack, Mrs Db 5" 5" has it, I don't at 6' 4".
I commiserate but can't assist. Sorry. Db.

 

[DavidofHook]

That reluctance to open seems to come as standard, and yes there is a knack, Mrs Db 5" 5" has it, I don't at 6' 4".
I commiserate but can't assist. Sorry. Db.

We are very similar to Doorbundle, Mrs DoH can open that upper drawer/ cupboard, I can’t. Then again incentives are a wonderful thing: she keeps all her clothes in it, I don’t!

 

[Doorbundle]

That reluctance to open seems to come as standard, and yes there is a knack, Mrs Db 5" 5" has it, I don't at 6' 4".
I commiserate but can't assist. Sorry. Db.

Dry goods only for us, Biscuits, Crisps, etc. Not enough space for Mrs Db's 'wardrobe'.

 

[DavidofHook]

Dry goods only for us, Biscuits, Crisps, etc. Not enough space for Mrs Db's 'wardrobe'.

Much more important than clothes then, food is vital!

 

[Beeechke1]

Think this is normal. The only position I can easily open it from is kneeling on the bench seat facing the draw, cant do in a seating position. Try putting a bit more weight in the draw see if that makes it easier to pull down, it certainly seems to be designed such that it never drops down hard.

 

[FivetonesCali]

Push up a little as you use the handle - usually works for me.

 

[pematthe-1967]

It is not the unlatching that’s the problem, I have that ‘knack’ sorted out. It is like one side of the unit is much stiffer than the other - or rubbing on the cabinet.

I did find a random forum thread about replacing a part but the symptoms described didn’t really match mine.

Oh, and we keep the games in there - cards, boardgames etc. The rainy day stuff as the ‘cupboard’ is so difficult to open properly.

 

[KGCali]

It is not the unlatching that’s the problem, I have that ‘knack’ sorted out. It is like one side of the unit is much stiffer than the other - or rubbing on the cabinet.

I did find a random forum thread about replacing a part but the symptoms described didn’t really match mine.

Oh, and we keep the games in there - cards, boardgames etc. The rainy day stuff as the ‘cupboard’ is so difficult to open properly.

Have a read of this at post 18 onwards ...

Overbed locker repair

We foolishly overloaded the locker with books and as a result the hinge pin sheared off on one side. The van centre quoted £150 to repair but when it came to do the job realised the the whole kitchen had to be removed to access the hinge so the cost escalated to about £750. So we declined the...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Hawthorn37]

Ours is stiff also, mainly on closing it - seems to flex so it depends where you apply the force. Similar on way down, slightly pulling the handle leftwards makes it move easier in our case. I guess we should try to apply a little Autoglym rubber and vinyl care to the wardrobe bullhead, it makes things slip easier and it isn’t oily.

 

[KGCali]

Ours is stiff also, mainly on closing it - seems to flex so it depends where you apply the force. Similar on way down, slightly pulling the handle leftwards makes it move easier in our case. I guess we should try to apply a little Autoglym rubber and vinyl care to the wardrobe bullhead, it makes things slip easier and it isn’t oily.

Think this may be better ...
WD-40 Specialist Dry PTFE Lubricant Spray - Ideal for Long Lasting Protection & Lubrication on Metal, Plastic & Rubber Surfaces https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KPUBO5A?tag=eliteelect-21

 

[Hawthorn37]

Think this may be better ...
WD-40 Specialist Dry PTFE Lubricant Spray - Ideal for Long Lasting Protection & Lubrication on Metal, Plastic & Rubber Surfaces https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KPUBO5A?tag=eliteelect-21

I’ve got a can of that and use it on some stuff, and I’m sure it’ll work, but it does leave a residue. The AG spray is more of a cleaner and allied by a cloth. Works great on the pop top hatch runners, cupboard runners etc.

 

[KGCali]

This link may be useful ...

Google

 

[NessL]

2017 Cali Ocean with a rear ceiling storage cupboard. Not sure if there’s an official name for it. Just above the rear seats.

It is really stiff to open and drop down As if it is catching on the left (wardrobe cabinet) side. There’s a knack to un-latching it but the effort required getting it to open seems excessive. I don’t want to dismantle just yet to investigate but wondered if others have the same. Is it normal, or is something out of whack!

As everyone else has said, this is standard behaviour. I find that if stood directly in front, it opens easily. If I stand slightly to one side, it catches on the wardrobe and gets stuck.
There is definitely a knack.

 

[Hawthorn37]

I’ve got a can of that and use it on some stuff, and I’m sure it’ll work, but it does leave a residue. The AG spray is more of a cleaner and allied by a cloth. Works great on the pop top hatch runners, cupboard runners etc.

For anyone interested, I tried using the AG vinyl and rubber spray, on the locker side bulkhead which the hatch moves against - total waste of time - as would be any lubricant applied to this area. It feels like it’s the mechanism that is stiff - not friction with the bulkhead. To be honest, we can live with it, so we will!

 

[KGCali]

Extract from my forum link above in post #9 ...

The excessive resistance issue was cured instantly by flattening the captive nut plates that hold the drawer sides to the sliding hinge mechanisms - if the short bolts are overtightened, these plates can deform, bend/dish and rub on the hinge sides.

If you read all of the post it explains in detail how to fix a stiff drop-down cabinet on the Cali. Good luck in your fix.

 

[AlanDoddAlanDodd]

I find that after unlatching I press and hold lightly on the other side, it relieves the catching on the wardrobe side and lowers ok. I’m just holding it square to stop it catching, frustrating to have to do it but it works.

 

[Snoopy23]

2017 Cali Ocean with a rear ceiling storage cupboard. Not sure if there’s an official name for it. Just above the rear seats.

It is really stiff to open and drop down As if it is catching on the left (wardrobe cabinet) side. There’s a knack to un-latching it but the effort required getting it to open seems excessive. I don’t want to dismantle just yet to investigate but wondered if others have the same. Is it normal, or is something out of whack!

Yep always had this problem, seems standard!

 

[California John]

2017 Cali Ocean with a rear ceiling storage cupboard. Not sure if there’s an official name for it. Just above the rear seats.

It is really stiff to open and drop down As if it is catching on the left (wardrobe cabinet) side. There’s a knack to un-latching it but the effort required getting it to open seems excessive. I don’t want to dismantle just yet to investigate but wondered if others have the same. Is it normal, or is something out of whack!

I‘ve had the same problem with mine. (15 years old now) I solved the problem by applying PTFE dry lubricant spray to the black semi circular runners either side of the cupboard. Pack kitchen towel around the area to prevent the spray dripping through. It will dry and run as a dry lubricant. Reapply every couple of years.

 

[Gina-B]

Yep same prob here. Pulling forward more (ie towards the front of the van) rather than down does help a bit, but we've all learned our own knack and have learned to live with it. Stay happy.