VW T4 repairing the rotten sliding door track (removal)

Cutting off the sliding door on a VW T4

[@neil...]

Great job bud. Its like deja vu watching bits of that. Glad my steps pretty much done now. Thanks for the shout out. Was not expecting that! Looking forward to the fabrication video.

[@ivorfarr1839]

Hi P DUBS, great help this video was, the spot weld drill bit you have, you need to center punch the weld and the pin retracts.

[@pdubs7831]

Hi Ivor, yes I realised later and mentioned it in the next video. Feel like a right numpty when I give out duff info but at least I own up to it 😁, glad it helped 👍

[@smashmash2714]

me too man, i chopped the whole runner out from underneath rebuilt on the bench and put it back,, was a mammoth job. ive been there... feel it. also bought the lhd panel and cut many triangles and refabricated into rhd

[@pdubs7831]

Brilliant, it was a right pain in the arse to do, but I’m really pleased with the result. The door glides lovely now, great to here of another T4 being rescued 🤙

[@chopperhehehe]

Great video just about to replace parts and watching this helped lots 👍👍👍😜🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🦕🙂🤞✌

[@pdubs7831]

Hi chopper, I didn’t get it perfect first time and had to make alterations which are in some of the later videos so depending on what bits your replacing it might be worth watching some of the others too, glad they are helping you 🤙

[@badgerlc350]

Rather than cutting the lip off the seal carrier I flattened it over with a hammer which leaves a nice smooth edge and as it is double thickness it secures the door seal much better. Just make a few cut and shuts around the curves.

[@pdubs7831]

That was a good idea, thanks for the comment, it gives others that watch and read more scope for options 🤙 cheers badge

[@garyyorke1080]

Alright for some .. you managed to undo the bottom bracket off the door bracket . Mine was solid and the original domed headed Allen bolts ..both heads rounded out . I undone the lock plate you took out after the door was off that allowed the door to just pull out complete with brackets . Date with a grinder and old runner bracket was off the door .

[@pdubs7831]

It’s such a pain when a stuck bolt is a bigger job than the job in hand starts off as!

[@garyyorke1080]

@@pdubs7831 it was the intent to change the running gear as the bearings were shot but there was no way those were coming out in situ . Seems someone had changed the step before but left the door gear as is ...

[@cas7699]

HI P dubs i have the same problem - how long did it take ?

[@zoiksandmorezoiks2719]

I need to do a weld in the area where the door runner pulls in when you shut the door. There is a crack in the triangular corner. My worry is how close it is to the diesel tank.. is it best draining that and taking it off before attempting to plate up the crack so I can use the door again? It comes off the runner when I try and close the door at the moment (but fine when it’s open) the joys 😂

[@pdubs7831]

Hi, I managed without taking the tank off and instead boxed off the tank with some wooden boards. The tank is easy to take off though and I show this in another video.

[@Monkeyheed78]

Hi mate - the last 2 issues you have: Mine does the same until you rev it up a little. My issue is the exciter on the alternator it just need the additional revs to kick this in then it starts charging the battery and supplying the correct voltage to the oil pressure sensor. Basically a new alternator but it doesn’t really bother me for now.

[@pdubs7831]

Hi Paul, thank you so much for your help, that would make sense. I’ve been thinking what common issue would cause both problems. I should have some time later today to try again. 🤙

[@pdubs7831]

Hi Paul, have you seen my video of finding the fault? Wonder if you have the same problem?

[@Monkeyheed78]

@@pdubs7831 Hi mate, yeah I checked all my wiring and seems ok. I definitely think mine is the alternator but won’t hurt to double check 👍🏽

[@Adventure.with.Robbie]

May I ask what you use to seal the underside after welding ?

[@pdubs7831]

Hi Robbie, I gave it all a coat of zinc galvanising spray then hammerite underbody seal.

[@Adventure.with.Robbie]

@@pdubs7831 Thank you. Great video mate and very informative.

[@eddielloyd4070]

nice vid ,,but very bad engineering by vw .maybe a rubberoid coating and a drain hole in each box section would have helped prevent that rusting

[@pdubs7831]

Hi Eddie, there are indeed drain holes however for the same reason the front wings rot they are areas where dirt gathers which retains water, coupled with poor cleaning / maintenance they are prone areas to rust away. For this reason I’m very careful that as soon as I hear that something has dropped onto the track with any of my vans I clean it out which prevents paint damage and future metal work issues. Hope the video was helpful to you if your tackling this job 👍