Worn sliding door track

[freds70]

Track is badly worn at the end of its travel, anyone know how to fix this?

 

[davidoft]

I’ve repaired a few by building up with weld and grinding/filing to shape

 

[freds70]

Thanks, I don’t think that this track is a replacement piece I have checked all the usual suppliers. Hopefully I can find someone who can do this welding for me
My bus is nearly ready to be painted over here in Rotterdam by some friends of mine, do you think that welding is possible without damaging the new paintwork?

 

[Graham L]

Have you changed the nylon block that slides on the rail, that is available and will make a difference

 

[67panel]

I have a lhd new rail guide taken from a nos panel I used on my rhd bus , not easy to post!

 

[freds70]

Have you changed the nylon block that slides on the rail, that is available and will make a difference

Thanks, the nylon block is fairly new so I think that I need to refurbish the track to fix the problem properly

 

[freds70]

I have a lhd new rail guide taken from a nos panel I used on my rhd bus , not easy to post!

Thanks, that would be a great solution and probably the best indeed not the easiest thing to post especially since me and the bus are in Rotterdam. I do travel back to the UK as I have a place near Rochdale so maybe we could sort something out when I return home, I will have to return in the next 4-6 weeks because my 90 days in Europe will be up

 

[davidoft]

Thanks, that would be a great solution and probably the best indeed not the easiest thing to post especially since me and the bus are in Rotterdam. I do travel back to the UK as I have a place near Rochdale so maybe we could sort something out when I return home, I will have to return in the next 4-6 weeks because my 90 days in Europe will be up

Changing the rail isn’t all that simple , it’s welded every inch through to the inner panel , protect all the surrounding areas weld up and grind to shape , about an hours work

 

[freds70]

Changing the rail isn’t all that simple , it’s welded every inch through to the inner panel , protect all the surrounding areas weld up and grind to shape , about an hours work

Thanks again for your advice, I will get someone to do this for me when the bus is finished and I’m back in the UK

Changing the rail isn’t all that simple , it’s welded every inch through to the inner panel , protect all the surrounding areas weld up and grind to shape , about an hours work

 

[67panel]

I drilled the spotwelds out so it is ready to fit, if you are passing through Worcestershire on the way home maybe you could collect it?

 

[freds70]

Thanks for your offer, do you think that it would be difficult to remove the existing track? I know that you said it would be easier to weld the one on my bus but I must admit that I like the idea of a new track

 

[67panel]

Well if it's held on the same as mine there are welds at either end that will need careful grinding away and a load of spot welds to cut out with a spot weld remover.

 

[sparkywig]

I would think with the amount of cutting and grinding involved in replacing the guide rail, it'd be easier to repair your existing one.

 

[67panel]

It would be easy to build it up with MIG weld, grinding it off will be a different matter to get it good.

 

[freds70]

It would be easy to build it up with MIG weld, grinding it off will be a different matter to get it good.

I have clean off the track and I can now see the welds on both ends and where the spot weld are, they are evenly spaced along the centre at approximately 50mm intervals. I think that it shouldn’t be too difficult for me to remove it so that it can be replaced with the track you have.
I would like do this and could I arrange to pick it up from you when I’m back in the UK ?

 

[davidoft]

I have clean off the track and I can now see the welds on both ends and where the spot weld are, they are evenly spaced along the centre at approximately 50mm intervals. I think that it shouldn’t be too difficult for me to remove it so that it can be replaced with the track you have.
I would like do this and could I arrange to pick it up from you when I’m back in the UK ?

I think you’re making a simple job into something much more complicated than you need to, Ive replaced them due to rot , it’s not to difficult on a bare van , but there’s lots of grinding and a reasonable amount of welding, good luck but I think you’ll be very not to make a mess of your paint. Building up with weld is much quicker and easier.

 

[67panel]

Yes you can, only want a drink for it so it's up to you if you then use it.

 

[freds70]

Yes you can, only want a drink for it so it's up to you if you then use it.

Thanks I’ll be in touch when I’m back home. Could you post a picture of it?
Cheers

 

[67panel]

When I go down my unit, not sure when as waiting for parts for the hot rod

 

[freds70]

When I go down my unit, not sure when as waiting for parts for the hot rod

No problem, no rush