1974 VW Bus Sliding Door Removal and Maintenance

Hello,
This video will cover how to remove a VW bus door, service the mechanisms, remove the door seal, replace it with a new one, and replace the door. Hopefully this will be helpful to you as you work on your bus!

[@kennycarpenter9466]

Those doors can be a bear did mine about 10 years ago still works great makes a big difference good video thanks

[@kekanipahu]

I'm hoping with re-greasing and lubing everything properly it will give me some more years of good use out of this one!

[@BettyNFriendz]

Best video on this project by far 💪🏼

[@kekanipahu]

Awesome, glad you liked it! Mahalo for the feedback!

[@nmartin5551]

Monster strength wrestling that back in place by yourself!

[@kekanipahu]

I Almost couldn't do it! I've seen others do it, so I figured it was possible...just about tripped on the curb at precisely the wrong time though...

[@marceloratinoff6558]

Minute 10:00 is a really cool shot with the low drifting clouds in the background.

[@kekanipahu]

Thank you! I looked at it after your comment. Agreed!

[@OldtimerRescue]

Great work. Thank you. Best regards from Germany, Ralph

[@kekanipahu]

Awesome, Ralph. Danke for your feedback. Glad you found it useful!

[@FilmoretheVW]

This was incredibly helpful, I've got a 74 bay window that's the exact same beyond the white exterior, it's track and seal is garbage...after watching this video it doesn't appear as daunting to have to go and do this kind of maintenance on my bus!

[@kekanipahu]

That's great, I'm so glad it was helpful. I hope you have good luck with yours! These doors can be so tricky...

[@FilmoretheVW]

@@kekanipahu I appreciate that! Yes, these doors and many more things on these buses can be less than pleasing to deal with, however it's a labor of love for the extension of yourself, and the immense feeling of pride from doing it yourself really pays off

[@davidmartinez3271]

Felicidades por el video, estaba buscando como quitar la tapa de la corredera de la puerta de la combi, y el tuyo es el único video que ahí, muy bien explicado como quitar la puerta. saludos desde Guadalajara Mexico

[@kekanipahu]

Gracias, amigo, por sus generosas palabras. Con gusto! Buena suerte con su combi!

[@VwRosstorations]

Along for the ride..👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@kekanipahu]

Right on!!!

[@jc-crafford]

Thank you. Very interesting. Subscribed.

[@kekanipahu]

Thank you, glad to help out!

[@daveregan8410]

Thanks for this.mine is in a very sorry state.

[@kekanipahu]

Good luck with yours! The sliding doors can be very tricky...they were well build and engineered, but 50 years of use can require some serious maintenance!

[@ezeddie9747]

Great video 👍

[@kekanipahu]

Great, glad you thought it was helpful. Have fun!

[@ads]

This video inspired me to fix my door, thanks for it!

[@kekanipahu]

Glad I could help! Good luck with yours!

[@DarlingBo-bannie]

Thank you sooooo much! ❤️

[@kekanipahu]

Of course, happy to help out!

[@bloodyeagle100]

You know what’s harder than getting the rain guard off? Getting it back on.

[@kekanipahu]

No kidding, I agree!

[@jacksplace]

thanks

[@kekanipahu]

My pleasure! Hope it helped out.

[@sergduchini7299]

Great thanks

[@kekanipahu]

You are welcome!

[@clausschroeder588]

this is great, very helpful. I need to know how to adjust the door so it sits flush with the body panels, The bottom appears to sit out slightly. where did you get the maintenance notes from>?

[@kekanipahu]

Hi Claus! Here is the link from the article from Ratwell. Many thanks to him for taking the time to write this up...along with reference pictures, too! ratwell.com/technical/SlidingDoor.html. You might have to copy and paste that link into your browser. I hope that helps, good luck with your door!

[@mediajosh]

Are you located in Hawaii? I just finished converting my 1968 Bay Window using Tesla Parts, and started using your videos to help finish the full restoration of the bus, thanks!

[@kekanipahu]

Aloha, I used to live on the Big Island (Kona), now I'm in Cali. That is awesome you have electrified your bus, nice!

[@elbrother5784]

where did you get the nylon guide . I have a 1974 westfalia van and have problems with the slide door does not close all the way . thanks for the information in your video.

[@kekanipahu]

Hey, sorry for the late reply. I believe I got the nylon guide through CiP1, but I believe JBUGS carry them as well. I hope you are able to find one!

[@mattgriffin55]

Hi there. Great video. Thus will be we m to next job. You mentioned a detailed instructions that you go from someone else. Could d you share?

[@kekanipahu]

Sure...here you go! ratwell.com/technical/SlidingDoor.html

[@mattgriffin55]

@@kekanipahu legend!

[@CharlieBrown-rk2fb]

Nice job. Can you tell me why my comments do ‘t get through? My seals don’t let me close the door

[@kekanipahu]

Hi! Do you have new seals, or are they old? The one thing I am thinking is if they are new, maybe they aren't stuffed into the channel all the way. If they are sticking out at all, it will interfere with the door closing. There isn't a ton of wiggle room if the seal is stiff and interfering with the clearance. The cheaper seals seem stiffer as well. Not sure which ones you have. The more expensive ones have a lot more give to them. If they are old, maybe time to replace them?

[@treesoftheworld9402]

But how do you put the rain guard back on?

[@kekanipahu]

Ahh...I should have included that. It is a little tricky but not too bad. On some busses there is a small piece of plastic welting that wedges in as you push the rain guard back down. Go slowly and make sure everything is lined up before you push down (or tap gently). Don't forget the set screws to hold everything in place. Good luck!

[@rcfry2001]

Aloha Kekani! Who did you order your seals from? I've seen really good to really bad ones from our online suppliers. Mahalo, Dirk

[@kekanipahu]

Aloha Dirk! I'm sorry for the delay, I would suggest (if it's not too late) to order from Wolfsburg West. They have really good quality seals...windows, doors, etc. Good luck!

[@rcfry2001]

Mahalo. Bought my 71 vert seals there and was very happy.

[@jamesroberts3474]

Do you have a link for the bus depot info. I cant find it

[@kekanipahu]

www.busdepot.com/

[@jamesroberts3474]

What grease or lubrication do you use?

[@kekanipahu]

I used a white lithium grease on the tracks. Still works good two years later!

[@dwpate5]

Did you notice there was 2 different sides of the door seal? Which side did you put where please?

[@kekanipahu]

OMG, I didn't notice! Now of course it has been so long that I've totally forgotten...so sorry!

[@CharlieBrown-rk2fb]

Ok. This time it did. How will you get in touch with me? My first time leaving comment.

[@kekanipahu]

No worries! I replied to your first comment. Thanks for your question!

[@SundryTalesOfConstance79WESTY]

Noice!👍😎 STOC youtube.com/@sundrytalesofconstance1979VW

[@kekanipahu]

Absolutely, thank you!