Aircooled VW South Africa

RECENTLY MY SLIDING DOOR HAS BECOME REALLY DIFFICULT TO OPEN. IT WAS QUITE EASY BEFORE BUT NOW I REALLY HAVE TO CRANK THE OUTSIDE HANDLE TO OPEN IT.
ANYONE KNOW WHY?

Hi Mark.

I assume this is a late bay mechanism? The issue is with opening, not the sliding movement correct?

The adjustment between the front and back lock could be badly out of adjustment. The cable is adjustable.

The mechanism inside the locks could also be dry, oiling can help. Worst case, mechanism can be bent / damaged or coming apart inside.

THE SLIDING IS 100'S. I HAVE RECENTLY REPLACED THE NYLON BUSH AND BEARING/GUIDE WHEEL FOR THE RAIL BUT THE ACTUAL PUSH ON THE HANDLE TO OPEN IT HAS BECOME HARDER AND HARDER. I IMAGINE THAT THE CABLE CAN STRETCH? I HAVEN'T TRIED TO ADJUST IT YET AS I BATTLED FOR DAYS WITH ANOTHER BUS TO GET IT'S SLIDING DOOR TO LATCH PROPERLY AND IT WAS EVENTUALLY ALSO A CABLE ISSUE. THERE SEEMS TO BE VERY LITTLE LEEWAY IN THE SETTING TO GET IT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY.
HOPEFULLY I'LL BE AVOIDING YOUR WORST CASE SCENARIO.
I'LL TRY ADJUST THE CABLE SOMETIME AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

Lubricate the cable, as if it is dry, it will make it impossible to set as the force needed moves the outer and makes you setting ineffective.

Also make sure your outer is well secured as this movement will also take up the setting

Good luck

Herman

The door-rubber could be a bit "sticky" in some cases. If so, some talc powder, silicon polish, or something which does not attack rubber might help.
If a lock mechanism or window winder assembly on an old car becomes difficult to operate, it's best to remove the mechanism, clean off old hardened grease using paraffin, then re-lubricate. Otherwise continuing to use force could destroy those rare parts.