Sliding door track cover removal

[Sparky]

So the mech for the sliding door has broken and no longer slides back. We have recovered half of what looks like a cam from the part attached to the van so I need to get the track cover off. 1st screw near the door unscrews like a dream, 2nd screw at the back of the bus wont shift. 2 days soaking in plus gas and still no joy.

If I take the grinder to this and remove the head I'm sure the cover will come off but it will leave the screw thread in the hole. Looking at ratwels site it looks like it may screw into a U nut. Does any one know if this is what is there on a 72? If there isn't I don't see a way of drilling and re tapping this as it is so close to the side of the van.

Also the small nut you need a 8mm spanner for, how do you stop the screw turning?

Access is a real issue here as the door will open but the van side of the U bracket does not slide back so the door just hits the side of the van.

Thanks guys
Arran

 

[Doris]

Also the small nut you need a 8mm spanner for, how do you stop the screw turning?

Arran

If its the one that stumped me - its a screw head on the inside of the van, on the C pillar! as in this thread........
http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=14793&p=131750&hilit=C+pillar#p131750" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[BigG]

As Doris says regarding the 8mm nut.

As for the rest the main thing that holds the cover on is a screw visible as you look at the latch mechanism just below the 8 mm nut. Undo this screw several turns, it retracts a bar that holds the cover in place. You then remove the screws either end and tap the cover upwards to remove it, you may need to use a big screwdriver or bit of wood underneath as it may be a bit stiff.
To refit is the reverse and dont worry too much about the screw your having trouble with, mines missing and it doesnt really make that big a deal, you can redrill it after and use a self tapper.

 

[Sparky]

Thanks dudes, That's the nut removed
It was too late to spark up the grinder last night so onto that tonight.
Also tried to get the locking screw undone that's rusted in too. O well lots of plus gas on that and we'll se if that moves it.

Thanks all
Arran

 

[BJ1]

As for the rest the main thing that holds the cover on is a screw visible as you look at the latch mechanism just below the 8 mm nut. Undo this screw several turns, it retracts a bar that holds the cover in place.

IF you ever get this screw to move :roll: you need to unscrew it about 8 turns then give the head a sharp tap with a hammer. It should move inwards - that moves the long locking bar towards the rear of the van, releasing the top edge of the cover. That's in theory - in practice it can take hours to free off the screw then you clout it and the thread goes
If you look upwards at the latch end you will see the end of the long screw where it goes into the locking bar. It is just possible to cut the screw with a hacksaw blade then lever and knock the bar rearwards - I did it once but never again! These days if it's all jammed on I chop off the cover and attack the locking bar with a chisel - brutal but life's too short...................

 

[Sparky]

Yep just the screw in the locking bar to release now (Angle grinder to remove one of the lower screws and hack saw to remove to nut). I have time to wait for the penetrating oil to work, after that I have some phosphoric acid that's very good at attacking rust.
Must do it soon, my sons bike is trapped in the back!

Arran

 

[Sparky]

O.K. it all came apart, but now it all has to go back together. First bit to fit is the new track seal. That looks a better design a nice u section to fit onto the bottom of the track cover, but it doesn't fit. The old and new are shown in the photo below:

Here you can see what I mean about the U section, but when you fit it to the track it looks like this:

It's probably not too clear but the bottom of the bead now sits 5mm below the top of the track cover.
So dudes, what do I do?
i) cut the return lip off and fit as per original
ii) fit as in the second picture and have a nice water trap there
iii) something else?
Any comments / recommendations welcome.

Arran.

 

[Doris]

from memory - don't think my seal has that 'U' piece.

 

[Sparky]

Yep, guess the original one is correct. The replacements could be wing beading of a bug or something.

Yet again I'm disappointed with the parts I've brought, and this time I'd used a reputable supplier as well.

Arran