T5 Sliding Door so stiff getting impossible to open or close

[Katie Jones]

Hi, OUr sliding door is getting worse. Van is 9 years old so way out of warranty.
The dealership is a considerable distance away and we use a local garage for routine service etc.
The door should be soft close but is now requiring real force and repeated attempts to clone or open.
I have used WD40 but it doesn’t make any difference.
If anyone has any clues that would be great.

 

[WelshGas]

Hi, OUr sliding door is getting worse. Van is 9 years old so way out of warranty.
The dealership is a considerable distance away and we use a local garage for routine service etc.
The door should be soft close but is now requiring real force and repeated attempts to clone or open.
I have used WD40 but it doesn’t make any difference.
If anyone has any clues that would be great.

Where did you use the WD40?
Is it stiff to slide? If so check that the runners are clean and the wheels on the sliders are turning.
If the rear of the door doesn't get pulled in on closing or pop outwards on opening then does the soft close mechanism turn on the rear C pillar? Test by bridging 2 contacts on the electrical connector on leading edge of door.

 

[dspuk]

WD40 is terrible for lubrication of this sort. WD40 is a temporay fix at best and evaporates quickly leaving little residue. The WD stands for "water displacing" - which is more or less what it is meant for, and the 40 is the number of experiments they carried out before they got it right. Silicon spray is a lot better but in some cases a small dab of proper grease can help, don't overdo it though - less is more. This page helps:

How to Lubricate the Sliding Door on a Van – Practical Mechanic

practicalmechanic.com

 

[SusiBus]

I never stop being amazed how quickly there is a response to a a posting for people wanting advice. Well done WelshGas and dspunk.

How would l made your avatar appear in red when quoting you?

 

[Katie Jones]

Thanks so much both. I was hoping we could struggle along until a roof recall check at dealers but it wasn’t to be. Helpful replies thank you.

 

[Katie Jones]

I never stop being amazed how quickly there is a response to a a posting for people wanting advice. Well done WelshGas and dspunk.

How would l made your avatar appear in red when quoting you?

I agree. This forum only works because of these helpful people.

 

[dspuk]

I never stop being amazed how quickly there is a response to a a posting for people wanting advice. Well done WelshGas and dspunk.

How would l made your avatar appear in red when quoting you?

Put the "at" sign in front, like SusiBus vs @SusiBus

 

[SusiBus]

Put the "at" sign in front, like SusiBus vs @SusiBus

That was a bit slow, it took 12 mins to get a reply to my question.
Thanks @SusiBus

 

[Katie Jones]

Thanks all. It needed replacement rollers at the bottom! Works like a dream now!

 

[Perfectos]

Thanks all. It needed replacement rollers at the bottom! Works like a dream now!

Hi Katie,

did you replace the Bottom roller or a garage ?

What was the cost approximately (to help others)

 

[Katie Jones]

The garage did it but I don’t think it was too difficult. If I’d had more time would have given it a go. The difficult bit was taking it back because they’d forgotten to replace the spring on the hook at the rear side and that was a real fiddle! Cost about £130 At a local garage.
Now we need a new sensor! How difficult is that to do??

 

[Poppins]

WD40 is terrible for lubrication of this sort. WD40 is a temporay fix at best and evaporates quickly leaving little residue. The WD stands for "water displacing" - which is more or less what it is meant for, and the 40 is the number of experiments they carried out before they got it right. Silicon spray is a lot better but in some cases a small dab of proper grease can help, don't overdo it though - less is more. This page helps:

How to Lubricate the Sliding Door on a Van – Practical Mechanic

practicalmechanic.com

I had some dried-on old grease and dirt along the tracks which came off with an old toothbrush and white spirit. Wiped with a rag and applied a thin spray-on grease. Ran beautifully after this 10-minute job!

 

[kurienp]

I had some dried-on old grease and dirt along the tracks which came off with an old toothbrush and white spirit. Wiped with a rag and applied a thin spray-on grease. Ran beautifully after this 10-minute job!

For rollers use dry PTFE. (I use WD40 Dry PTFE. WD40 is now a brand name who also have their classic WD40 and also dry PTFE and many other products) All else will leave residue and attract dust which will stop the rollers from moving. Also then grinds away the paint in the channels and can eventually lead to rust.

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