Sliding door sometimes scraping against rear wheel arch

[buffo]

I am having several issues with the sliding door on my Cali T5:

1. The sliding door seems to occasionally catch rear wheel arch causing some slight scratching. I have had the scratch marks resprayed several times (at first I thought someone had scraped it in supermarket car park);
2. On occasions upper hinge has become loose will not shut properly until one of hinge screws is tightened up. Our local VW dealer has had to do this on fairly regular basis when in for service etc.
3. If door is exposed to hot sunshine for a while it will not fully close.

Has anybody experienced similar problems and was there a satisfactory solution.

Thanks

Buffo

 

[Meoncoast]

old van - newer van , something worn on old van, something not adjusted right on a new van ?Many years of service on our t5 with no issues.

 

[Max-Felix]

It's not that uncommon (especially with the full 'bouncing' electric door), the Cali has very little clearance due to the trim panel, get some looseness or mal adjustment and its scrapey scrapey time. You'll find evidence of the rear quarter panel being painted on many Cali's. Pop off the trim panel and check and adjust the bolts if you can. They have large Torx fittings but you can remove these and fit regular hex bolts. Really though I'd take it to an expert and consider PPF on the rear quarter, a lot easier to replace.

 

[2into1]

I have a small rub on my T6 which I suspect is due to this problem. When I bought the van (6 months old from VW dealer) the trim panel was slightly loose (sticking out), so check the poppers are fully engaged. I'm keeping an eye on it.

@Max-Felix , what is ppf (3M film?)

 

[Max-Felix]

Sorry - yes, Paint Protection Film. Just tough, clear vinyl used to cover supercars etc - you'll see a piece on the bottom of the rear quarter of the Cali - if it hasn't been re-painted!

Back to the OP - also check the sliding door bearings and plastic parts - again, best to take it to someone who really knows these parts (like HazzyDayz) who will check and set it up. *Then* get it painted and PPF'd.

 

[Seamelody]

Hi Also have some slight damage, see my earlier post. Called my VW dealership ( not a Calli but van outlet ) some weeks ago, they had the Cali for two days, needed some adjustments and parts/ assume all fixed ( hopefully the cause ) noticed they have applied some PPF over scratches. They have agreed to cover cost of a paint job but I wanted to wait to ensure the fix has "fixed" the issue before Doris get her "Touch-up"

 

[California Dreamin]

How big an area should be covered with PPF and any tips for first time install?

 

[Seamelody]

Hi main area is the flat edge of the wheal arch mine was catching the top of arch and rear area I’ll post a picture before weekend to show damage and tape. They adjusted the door / replaced some parts about 4 weeks ago being painted next week


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[SusiBus]

Stick a bit of rubber on the inside of the door, better cure then speaking to a VW dealer.

 

[buffo]

Thanks for all the responses on my sliding door problem. Did not take it to VW but took it to a guy close to where I live who specialises in renovating old VW Campers a lot older than my Cali. He removed trim made some adjustments etc and we think it is OK now. I guess the test will be after it has been used in Europe this summer.

 

[2into1]

My sliding door went in for the (apparently known TPI to) fix this scratching from the very close tolerances.... But still does it! That's 2 goes vw have had and failed. Any thoughts?

 

[2into1]

My sliding door went in for the (apparently known TPI to) fix this scratching from the very close tolerances.... But still does it! That's 2 goes vw have had and failed. Any thoughts?

Edit: on the T6 forum I found a reference to packing out the rail with washers. I can see that might work but don't know if that's the official method. Wonder @Vw guru could shed any light?

 

[Max-Felix]

Is it electric? - if so I'd take it back to manual.

If the franchise VW techs cannot fix it write to the dealer principle giving them a third and final chance and if not rectified you will be taking it to a recommended VW specialist guru who knows what they are doing and sending the franchise the bill.

 

[2into1]

Is it electric?

It is, and whilst the problem seems worse on the electric doors, there are plenty of similar problems on manual doors (inc non Cali's) on the general forums.
It does seem to judder a bit with the electric, which I think you referred to previously

 

[Seamelody]

Ours has an electric door and has been back twice to the VW dealer plus one visit to the body shop so far it appears to have fixed the issue although we have also been advised to park with the door facing down hill so when it opens and shuts the weight pulls the door away from the van ........


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[Max-Felix]

It is, and whilst the problem seems worse on the electric doors, there are plenty of similar problems on manual doors (inc non Cali's) on the general forums.
It does seem to judder a bit with the electric, which I think you referred to previously

You know my thoughts...

Electric side door conversion to fully manual?

 

[VW Guru]

Hi the tolerance on the sliding doors are very finite especially the electric sliding door. There is a technical document for adjusting the door for closing problems and rubbing on the quarter panel however there is not one for rubbing the wheel arch if this is happening then it’s either due to a poorly fitted door trim or an insecure roller guide. There is an art to setting up these sliding doors it’s a good couple of hours work to set them up correctly

 

[2into1]

My sliding door went in for the (apparently known TPI to) fix this scratching from the very close tolerances.... But still does it! That's 2 goes vw have had and failed. Any thoughts?

Tomorrow, VW are having a 3rd go at fixing my sliding door and it's willingness to scratch the paint on the wheel arch.
I told them I wanted them to do some proper research with HQ this time as they have already implemented the known issue cure (TPI) and it hasn't worked.
As you may have expected, they've come back with nothing and just want to 'look again'

I've decided to do some investigations myself and can see the area of the sliding door interior panel that is making contact with my paint. On the attached photo below, you'll see a thin dark vertical line starting just above the top of masking tape.

Some of the causes which I think they've not considered are that the moulding of the panel itself could be (I) out of tolerance (ii) not clipping into place fully or (iii) is being flexed outward by the weight / gripping of the outdoor table. I'm wondering if a kind owner could post a photo as close as possible to mine to help me see if there is anything obviously out of place with my panel? It would be much appreciated.

Outside of those possibilities it can only be the 'bounce' of the door's (electric) operation.

 

[WelshGas]

Tomorrow, VW are having a 3rd go at fixing my sliding door and it's willingness to scratch the paint on the wheel arch.
I told them I wanted them to do some proper research with HQ this time as they have already implemented the known issue cure (TPI) and it hasn't worked.
As you may have expected, they've come back with nothing and just want to 'look again'

I've decided to do some investigations myself and can see the area of the sliding door interior panel that is making contact with my paint. On the attached photo below, you'll see a thin dark vertical line starting just above the top of masking tape.

Some of the causes which I think they've not considered are that the moulding of the panel itself could be (I) out of tolerance (ii) not clipping into place fully or (iii) is being flexed outward by the weight / gripping of the outdoor table. I'm wondering if a kind owner could post a photo as close as possible to mine to help me see if there is anything obviously out of place with my panel? It would be much appreciated.

Outside of those possibilities it can only be the 'bounce' of the door's (electric) operation.

View attachment 41180

Has anyone had this problem with a Non-Electric Opening/Closing side door, or is it just the All-Electric doors?
If it is only the All-Electric doors then misfitting internal trim could be ruled out as the chances of ONLY the Electric doors being so affected would be unlikely as the trim is, I believe, the same on both types.

 

[ArunAlec]

Has anyone had this problem with a Non-Electric Opening/Closing side door, or is it just the All-Electric doors?
If it is only the All-Electric doors then misfitting internal trim could be ruled out as the chances of ONLY the Electric doors being so affected would be unlikely as the trim is, I believe, the same on both types.

My electric door has at some time come into contact with the wheel arch but since I've owned it and used silicon spray to keep the action smooth no contact. But the door does have a distinct bounce at the critical point of the slide. I doubt that its a trim issue.

 

[KiwiCali]

I am having several issues with the sliding door on my Cali T5:

1. The sliding door seems to occasionally catch rear wheel arch causing some slight scratching. I have had the scratch marks resprayed several times (at first I thought someone had scraped it in supermarket car park);
2. On occasions upper hinge has become loose will not shut properly until one of hinge screws is tightened up. Our local VW dealer has had to do this on fairly regular basis when in for service etc.
3. If door is exposed to hot sunshine for a while it will not fully close.

Has anybody experienced similar problems and was there a satisfactory solution.

Thanks

Buffo

Hi ... that is exactly what I have just noticed on my new Cali. I noticed slight scratches, and yet I knew I had not driven against anything. Then I noticed it had gotten slightly worse ... and clicked that it was the electric door mechanism. I will be speaking to the dealer about this, and asking them to fix ... but after that I will also apply a 3M film over the spot ... or better still the bit on the inner door ... if I can see where it rubs. I do feel that there is too much give on the mechanism ... but that might be deliberate. However, I did discover that the trim on the inside of the door, was not 'popped' in on the bottom ... so I have clicked it back into place. I am reticent to get the panel painted again ... as I am not convinced they will get a perfect match (thoughts). I might just get this buffed, and then put some 3M tape over. As an aside, I did get the whole of the front done in 3M and I think it offers brilliant protection from stone chips etc.

 

[Seamelody]

It’s appalling that VW haven’t managed to fix this issue on all newly built vans. I posted in this thread back in May2018 we experienced exactly the same, first thinking someone had scratched the wheel-arch but after discovering the root cause I went to our local V’Dub dealer who arranged the realignment and panel respray, not overly happy that I spent £56k and within 6 months it needed respraying. What I took away was the fact that VW are fully aware ( although won’t admit ) in the quickness and no quibble of arranging the work. My suggestion is if new go back, get it realigned and fixed.


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[2into1]

I got mine back today from a 3rd attempt at repair. Although there are reports of it happening with manual doors, the bounce when the electric door starts (from the open position) seems to be the cause (at least on mine).

The operation of my door is much improved this time and I can see many components have been changed (I marked the old ones!).

The position of the scratches means that clear 3m film would look a bit odd there. If I could get some to affix to the inside of the door I might, but it was the plastic door panel that was rubbing mine, not painted metal on painted metal.

If your paint shops are the same standard as the uk, then I wouldn’t worry about paint matching.

 

[KiwiCali]

Tomorrow, VW are having a 3rd go at fixing my sliding door and it's willingness to scratch the paint on the wheel arch.
I told them I wanted them to do some proper research with HQ this time as they have already implemented the known issue cure (TPI) and it hasn't worked.
As you may have expected, they've come back with nothing and just want to 'look again'

I've decided to do some investigations myself and can see the area of the sliding door interior panel that is making contact with my paint. On the attached photo below, you'll see a thin dark vertical line starting just above the top of masking tape.

Some of the causes which I think they've not considered are that the moulding of the panel itself could be (I) out of tolerance (ii) not clipping into place fully or (iii) is being flexed outward by the weight / gripping of the outdoor table. I'm wondering if a kind owner could post a photo as close as possible to mine to help me see if there is anything obviously out of place with my panel? It would be much appreciated.

Outside of those possibilities it can only be the 'bounce' of the door's (electric) operation.

View attachment 41180[

It’s appalling that VW haven’t managed to fix this issue on all newly built vans. I posted in this thread back in May2018 we experienced exactly the same, first thinking someone had scratched the wheel-arch but after discovering the root cause I went to our local V’Dub dealer who arranged the realignment and panel respray, not overly happy that I spent £56k and within 6 months it needed respraying. What I took away was the fact that VW are fully aware ( although won’t admit ) in the quickness and no quibble of arranging the work. My suggestion is if new go back, get it realigned and fixed.


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Agree. The dealer will sort it via warranty. Plus if it needs a respray they are 100% confident that I will see no difference. It's just disappointing a new Van has this problem...

 

[somed84]

Hey all and happy easter to everyone

I was washing the cali and i ve noticed that the wheel on the lower part of the sliding door is scratching the paint where it slides,my cali is black so there is a big white line along all its rail.

Is it normal?
How can i avoid this?

Ty all