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Driver & Passenger Doors hard to shut

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:00 am
by Triple/R
Dont know if this is in the right section--but it's technical to me-i'm chuffed to bits with me Bongo but the drivers side door & passenger door seem hard to shut both me & the missus have to really give it a slam usually twice to shut them--they seem to be lined up ok--everything else about the Bong seems car like -as in general driving but the doors let it down for me--anyone got any ideas?????
Ray.

Re: Drver & Passenger Doors hard to shut

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 11:14 am
by Dolly1
Hi and welcome.
Perhaps the door mechanism has dried out.
Try WD40 to free it,followed by a light oil.

Re: Drver & Passenger Doors hard to shut

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:06 pm
by teenmal
Hi as said above,oil the hinges if the doors are stiff to open and close.
If the doors are hard to slam shut you may need to adjust the striker plate on the pillar.

Cheers Malc..

Re: Drver & Passenger Doors hard to shut

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:33 pm
by Ron Miel
You're not 30 stone Americans are you? :wink:

Re: Drver & Passenger Doors hard to shut

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 1:32 pm
by Triple/R
Thanks for replies so far--the doors are'nt stiff on the hinges it's just when you shut them to--will be out for the rest of the day so will have a go tomorrow.
As for 30 stone Americans :lol: no were lightweight Brits :lol:
Ray.

Re: Drver & Passenger Doors hard to shut

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 2:17 pm
by mikeonb4c
I think (on my 95 model at least) Bongo doors are not as light as (modern) car doors and do require a proper firm closing action. But nothing I wouldn't expect on 'van' doors - they are big things compared to most cars and probably - being the kind of vehicle it is - the designers reckoned owners wouldn't want the kind of door that shut too easily while you are taking stuff in and out of the car, or just want doors open for ventilation etc. (least ways, those characteristics are an advantage in a campervan as far as I'm concerned!).

Oh and welcome - great cards aren't they? 8)

Re: Drver & Passenger Doors hard to shut

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:54 pm
by technophobe
The doors could have dropped slightly through previous misuse. It may be necessary to inset a thingy on one hinge on each side.

Re: Drver & Passenger Doors hard to shut

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 8:07 pm
by brorabongo
It's must be all in the technique? as Whenever I have a passenger other than the wife, the door is never shut properly first time. (My mother normally takes two or three attempts. :lol: )

Re: Drver & Passenger Doors hard to shut

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 9:16 pm
by stringman
I'd also make sure the door seals are fitted properly.

Also see if it makes any difference if you have a window slightly open when you close the door

Re: Drver & Passenger Doors hard to shut

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 9:25 pm
by mikexgough
mine were better after some TLC with the spray grease.......when I got my Bongo it hadn't been far for 6 months so things were a little "dry", the vehicle was serviced but they didn't do the extra bits like lub hinges/strikers etc [-X [-X

Re: Drver & Passenger Doors hard to shut

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:16 pm
by trevd01
I can't say I have ever given a thought to it. On our Bongo the front doors open and close like any other vehicle. I am not aware of there being any 'knack' to it.

So if you have problems, it sounds like the door needs adjusting or lubricating as suggested above.

Re: Drver & Passenger Doors hard to shut

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:43 am
by Triple/R
stringman wrote:I'd also make sure the door seals are fitted properly.

Also see if it makes any difference if you have a window slightly open when you close the door
What a lot of info from all of you--yes it does make a difference with window slightly open but when your locking up, the windows obviously have to be closed & the doors seem harder to close from outside.
Can't have a proper look yet had plaster taken off my leg yesterday (after a break) so not very mobile yet.
But when i'm back in action i'm sure i'll sort it out with all the info given.
Regards Ray.