How to remove rear door rail cover?

[fletchog]

Anyone ever removed the panel cover behind the rear doors which covers the opening mechanism/rail?

If so any advice would be greatly appreciated. I do remember reading someone did mention ordrering a complete set of location pins however cannot find the post.

Hopefully someone can offer some information.
Fletch

[Umai Naa!!]

Torx screw at the front (In sliding door jamb), Torx screw (above tail light) at the back, then gently pop the cover off.

You'll need to replace all the retaining clips and the plastic bits they seat in on the body.

Most of them will break when you take the cover off, and if you don't replace them, the cover will virbate on the highway.

[Sunny43.5]

Amen to that one ours has gone back on but every now and then I walk past the van and give it a quick thump as it pops a couple of clips out !!

[fletchog]

Thanks for the replies guys, have either of you replaced or repaired the automatic mechanism?

As I stated in another thread that got no replies, both my automatic doors now fail to open automatically and manually only about 150mm, hopefully enoght to access the torq screw.

Do either of you know if the motorised cable actuators can be removed and the doors operated in a manual only mode?
I have a mechanic friend investigating replacement cost of parts from local VW dealer.
Thanks Fletch

[Umai Naa!!]

Have the cables actually failed? The motors will still run if the cables have broken.

If the motors aren't running, the rubber contact strip on the front edge of the doors might be iffy. Sometimes giving this a firm rub up and down will get it going again.

You should be able to use them without the cables installed, but I'm pretty sure the cables aren't that dear.

[fletchog]

Hi Umai,

you seem to know a great deal about this problem and i appreciate you assistance.

on the occasion of both doors last operation it sounded like the motors spun, however the door appeared to jam and the motor continued to turn, like as if the cable had slipped from its spindle. the cable on the passenger side is visible and hanging out of the slot in the bodywork. Not being familiar with the actual setup I guess more will be revealed when I remove the panels.

I have tried search's for any drawings and information but have not had any luck.

"the rubber contact strip on the front edge of the doors might be iffy." which strip is this?

[Umai Naa!!]

It's all pretty straight-forward once you have the new cable assembly, and you have the cover off.

You might have to take the inner door trims off the sliding doors, but I can't remember for sure. Try and avoid this if possible.

There's a rubber seal at the very front edge of the door itself, that runs the full height of the door. It has a contact strip in it that deactivates the door if someone's limb gets in the way. I don't think this is the issue, given what you've just mentioned.