Sliding door window problem

[Painted Pilgrim]

Hi, I forgot about the electric closing on the sliding door and shut it a bit hard and heard something break and rattling round inside the door!
It appears I've broke the window mechanisem, the top has dropped down and it wont shut properly. From reading previous posts I see there is a repair kit avalible but I'm concerned as the rail at the bottom has come away from the window also which looks like it was already like it.
From what I've read the windows are not highly rated and seem to leak which would explaine the staining on the door card.
So is it just a repair kit job or replace the whole thing? and if so with which type?
thanks

 

[ArunAlec]

Hi, I forgot about the electric closing on the sliding door and shut it a bit hard and heard something break and rattling round inside the door!
It appears I've broke the window mechanisem, the top has dropped down and it wont shut properly. From reading previous posts I see there is a repair kit avalible but I'm concerned as the rail at the bottom has come away from the window also which looks like it was already like it.
From what I've read the windows are not highly rated and seem to leak which would explaine the staining on the door card.
So is it just a repair kit job or replace the whole thing? and if so with which type?
thanks

View attachment 102087

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View attachment 102089

Unless you use the window, I would be inclined to get the whole thing replaced with a non opening glass side window.

 

[Painted Pilgrim]

Unless you use the window, I would be inclined to get the whole thing replaced with a non opening glass side window.

We probably wont use the window to be fair, how would a non opening one match up with the trim inside, would it still fit properly?

 

[ArunAlec]

We probably wont use the window to be fair, how would a non opening one match up with the trim inside, would it still fit properly?

Might need to replace trim. I think non opening windows were an option so it may be possible to get the trim.

 

[AlistairC]

Happy to help - I’ve just been through this recently & switched mine out for a fixed (double glazed) pane. I have lots of pictures!

if your lower rail has been rusting to the point of separating from the rest of the panel it’ll be game over for the window. Judging by the fact you have cross head screws through the rails - someone has already had a go at ‘fixing’ it’.

Re: the inner trim, it fits around the window rails so your options are limited. For now I’d suggest you physically force it back into place as best as possible and sikaflex all round to hold it and stop ingress. Then brace yourself for the cost of VW parts!

 

[jeff]

Happy to help - I’ve just been through this recently & switched mine out for a fixed (double glazed) pane. I have lots of pictures!

Hi where did you get your fixed window from is it aftermarket one or a vw one.
would be interested in seeing some pictures.

 

[AlistairC]

Hi where did you get your fixed window from is it aftermarket one or a vw one.
would be interested in seeing some pictures.

I have a thread with the basic pictures here:
Replacing Windows thread

Mine were genuine parts from a company called Deutsche-parts who bulk buy dealership overstock.

I’ll update my previous thread with more pictures showing trim fixes later today.
Overall it was about 4hrs per side and I’m please to say went without hitch.



This photo explains it all. Above are the two rails that were holding my sliding door window on. Top strips are the plastic covers. Third down is the structural rail from above window. Bottom one is the sliding window lower rail. Clearly with that amount or rust, the rail separates and becomes loose.

 

[Painted Pilgrim]

Happy to help - I’ve just been through this recently & switched mine out for a fixed (double glazed) pane. I have lots of pictures!

if your lower rail has been rusting to the point of separating from the rest of the panel it’ll be game over for the window. Judging by the fact you have cross head screws through the rails - someone has already had a go at ‘fixing’ it’.

Re: the inner trim, it fits around the window rails so your options are limited. For now I’d suggest you physically force it back into place as best as possible and sikaflex all round to hold it and stop ingress. Then brace yourself for the cost of VW parts!

Thanks for the sound advise. just read through your thread, fair play for doing it yourself!
I rang Deutscheparts as it turns out they are only half hour up the road from me but they dont have any and said they dont order stuff as such they just "have what they have" so no joy there.
Then I rang a mate who has a windscreen buisiness he said to order one from camperglass.co.uk and he will fit it for me. Only thing is it looks like all their kit is geared for the transposter, ie sliding door on the other side so I'll have to email them and see if they do one for a california unless i can find one elsewhere. I wont be paying main dealer prices i know that.
The camperglass ones are only about £60 but its if they'll fit

 

[Painted Pilgrim]

I have a thread with the basic pictures here:
Replacing Windows thread

Mine were genuine parts from a company called Deutsche-parts who bulk buy dealership overstock.

I’ll update my previous thread with more pictures showing trim fixes later today.
Overall it was about 4hrs per side and I’m please to say went without hitch.

View attachment 102126

This photo explains it all. Above are the two rails that were holding my sliding door window on. Top strips are the plastic covers. Third down is the structural rail from above window. Bottom one is the sliding window lower rail. Clearly with that amount or rust, the rail separates and becomes loose.

Lovely design that! Im sure mine will look exactly the same!
Do you have any pictures of how the interior trim meets the new fixed window please?

 

[AlistairC]

!Do you have any pictures of how the interior trim meets the new fixed window please?

It’s all rather nice actually. If it were a single pane, the plastic trim would be right up against the inner surface of the glass.
I bonded the old window rails onto the trim panels with PU adhesive so they are complete panels now.

Because the replacement is double glazed the thick part sits perfectly inside the trim like it does in the back of the Cali. I’ll get some pics tomorrow when light.

I’ve read lots of people talk about going aftermarket for cost and reliability reasons. My only concern would be the tint level and how things match up with the trim panels. Easy in a caravelles but not so much in the cali with specialist panelling. I fitted a aftermarket sliding window in my old van and it was great to use but limo black and rails were totally different to the Cali.

Unless there are ‘direct copy’ aftermarket replicas like there are windscreens etc?

 

[Painted Pilgrim]

It’s all rather nice actually. If it were a single pane, the plastic trim would be right up against the inner surface of the glass.
I bonded the old window rails onto the trim panels with PU adhesive so they are complete panels now.

Because the replacement is double glazed the thick part sits perfectly inside the trim like it does in the back of the Cali. I’ll get some pics tomorrow when light.

I’ve read lots of people talk about going aftermarket for cost and reliability reasons. My only concern would be the tint level and how things match up with the trim panels. Easy in a caravelles but not so much in the cali with specialist panelling. I fitted a aftermarket sliding window in my old van and it was great to use but limo black and rails were totally different to the Cali.

Unless there are ‘direct copy’ aftermarket replicas like there are windscreens etc?

Yes I'm concerned about matching the tint. I've emailed camperglass to see if it matches.
Have googled for genuine ones but no joy
Good idea about bonding the rails on to fill the gap! I shall copy that.

 

[WelshGas]

Yes I'm concerned about matching the tint. I've emailed camperglass to see if it matches.
Have googled for genuine ones but no joy
Good idea about bonding the rails on to fill the gap! I shall copy that.

I don't think the non-sliding fixed windows are sided, unlike the sliding windows which are.
Also, Transporters can come with twin sliding doors as in the Transporter Shuttle.

 

[Painted Pilgrim]

I don't think the non-sliding fixed windows are sided, unlike the sliding windows which are.
Also, Transporters can come with twin sliding doors as in the Transporter Shuttle.

Thanks, Does the same window fit wether it's a sliding door or a fixed panel or are they different?
Matching the tint seems my main concern now.
Have found a used genuine sliding window on ebay from a 2016, looks the same design with no drain in the bottom track

 

[ArunAlec]

Thanks, Does the same window fit wether it's a sliding door or a fixed panel or are they different?
Matching the tint seems my main concern now.
Have found a used genuine sliding window on ebay from a 2016, looks the same design with no drain in the bottom track

The one you’ve found on eBay … sliding window with no drain?

 

[AlistairC]

Lovely design that! Im sure mine will look exactly the same!
Do you have any pictures of how the interior trim meets the new fixed window please?

This used the existing door’s top rail and the top rail from kitchen side moved into the bottom position on the door. This way, neither rail had previously experienced rust. Also the steel components were removed before attaching to the panelling.

 

[Painted Pilgrim]

The one you’ve found on eBay … sliding window with no drain?

Genuine VW T6 T5 Transporter Sliding Window Right drivers Side | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Genuine VW T6 T5 Transporter Sliding Window Right drivers Side at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Painted Pilgrim]

View attachment 102197View attachment 102198
This used the existing door’s top rail and the top rail from kitchen side moved into the bottom position on the door. This way, neither rail had previously experienced rust. Also the steel components were removed before attaching to the panelling.

Thanks, nice job. Do you have the part number for the fixed windows you used please?

 

[AlistairC]

Thanks, nice job. Do you have the part number for the fixed windows you used please?

This is what I bought

 

[Painted Pilgrim]

Just found this one on their site, it's not double glazed but I'm pretty sure the rest of the van is not either so will match, hopefully the tint is the same!?

VW Transporter T5 5.1 6.1 Right Sliding door Glass Part Tinted 7H0845306L New

7H0845306L SIDE WINDO New genuine part

www.deutsche-parts.co.uk

 

[ArunAlec]

Genuine VW T6 T5 Transporter Sliding Window Right drivers Side | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Genuine VW T6 T5 Transporter Sliding Window Right drivers Side at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Unless VW have changed the design of the windows the drains are integral to the lower frame/track.

 

[AlistairC]

Just found this one on their site, it's not double glazed but I'm pretty sure the rest of the van is not either so will match, hopefully the tint is the same!?

VW Transporter T5 5.1 6.1 Right Sliding door Glass Part Tinted 7H0845306L New

7H0845306L SIDE WINDO New genuine part

www.deutsche-parts.co.uk

Yes, I considered that one too before they got the DG version in stock.
I’m no expert but I reckon there are x2 std VW tint types, ‘green’ and ‘privacy’. Anything darker and it is likely to be an aftermarket film on top.
If you give them your vin, they’ll tell you it it is not compatible as you started off with an opening window so you’d be taking a punt.
I’d ask to see the back - it might have the trim filler panels already attached depending on what it is meant to fit.
If you can, go down and see it / hold it up to your van. From experience, they’re good guys! So far I’ve had off them a drivers door lock, two windows and a tailgate brake light.

 

[Painted Pilgrim]

Yes, I considered that one too before they got the DG version in stock.
I’m no expert but I reckon there are x2 std VW tint types, ‘green’ and ‘privacy’. Anything darker and it is likely to be an aftermarket film on top.
If you give them your vin, they’ll tell you it it is not compatible as you started off with an opening window so you’d be taking a punt.
I’d ask to see the back - it might have the trim filler panels already attached depending on what it is meant to fit.
If you can, go down and see it / hold it up to your van. From experience, they’re good guys! So far I’ve had off them a drivers door lock, two windows and a tailgate brake light.

Yeah they're super helpfull on the phone and said i could go and check the tint.
Checked the bus today and all the rear fixed windows are double glazed to my surprise!
I'm guessing as DP dont have any stock left they will be near impossible to get so I'll just have to go with the single glazed one from them.

 

[Painted Pilgrim]

Unless VW have changed the design of the windows the drains are integral to the lower frame/track.

Shite design that isnt it! I've found a genuine single glazed one now, although single glazed.