The Dispatch | Expert | Scudo Hub

Scratch

Member

Registered: 2023-03-30

Posts: 18

2016 Desptach Side doors bounce when closing

So just got this van, and side doors are annoying.

I have searched the forum, and some tips but no comparable issues that I could find.

When closing the side doors, if you just slide them shut they bounce with a hard thunk.  you have to push them in and up slightly and gently at the rear edge when closing and do it softly/slowly and they shut 1st time 99% of the time.

So you can't just slide them closed (which also means you can't shut them from the inside).

I've looked at the various adjustments but not sure where to start.  Both sides do it.  Is it that the lock/catch mechanism is worn?  It appears to operate smoothly when operated with a finger or screwdriver, the hook/loop part on the body looks OK.  So at a loss.  It may have been misaligned once as there is some body damage by the lock on one door where the hook should pass into the door to engage with the latch, but this is all perfectly in line.

Going to spend a bit of time looking at it again this afternoon, but any ideas appreciated.

Oh, doors look well aligned when closed.

Last edited by Scratch (2023-03-30 13:04:22)

AlvyLad

Member

Registered: 2021-06-11

Posts: 481

Re: 2016 Desptach Side doors bounce when closing

Oh, doors look well aligned when closed.

That's the problem, they should look as they have been fitted by a left handed drunk- works perfect!

kenbw2

Administrator

From: Preston

Registered: 2017-11-26

Posts: 1,612

Re: 2016 Desptach Side doors bounce when closing

I've looked at the various adjustments but not sure where to start

You start with trial and error haha. The way I'd approach it is to loosen the rear one and push up the back of the door the way you normally would to get them to close, then lock them in place. I find jacking up the door when it's open helps me do this on my own, but if you can get someone to hold the door up at the same time that might be better.

Last edited by kenbw2 (2023-03-30 15:05:29)

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2000 Citroen Dispatch 1.9TD XUD9 Camper Conversion
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Scratch

Member

Registered: 2023-03-30

Posts: 18

Re: 2016 Desptach Side doors bounce when closing

Not tried adjusting anything as yet, but it also seems to be speed dependant, even with the slight upward force if you try to close the door quickly then it just solid bounces off the lock....

Alignment looks good, which is what is very puzzling about this.

Scratch

Member

Registered: 2023-03-30

Posts: 18

Re: 2016 Desptach Side doors bounce when closing

OK, have finally gotten around to having a really good look at this today, and now know exactly what the problem is but not 100% sure of the solution.

having spent a few hours adjusting the door today and taking various bits to pieces.....

The problem is that the catch on the door that rotates around the "U" shape on the body to hold the door closed is not aligning correctly.  It should rotate and engage around the side of the U, it would be one of the goal posts if you considered it like a football goal (does that make sense).  But what actually happens is that it is like the door is too far forward and the rotating catch hits the end (cross bar part) of the "U" instead of rotating inside it.

Completely stripped out the lock and it seems OK, small amount of play on the rotating catch part (probably from all the impacts)

Completely stripped out the rear mid hinge (above the lock, all good and no play)....however you can sort of bounce the door in/out and ins doing so it floats backwards slightly, and when you intentionally do this (push it so it goes in and slightly back) , the door closes perfectly as it effectively moves the lock backwards so the catch rotates through the U instead of hitting the "cross bar" part of it.

The movement is sort of in the hinge part, like it is roating slightly, but actually I think it might be movement of the roller carriage in the rail, but it is really hard to tell...

So could be play in the rollers, or the rails, but popped the cover off at the end and rail feels OK.

When disconnected from the door there also doesn't really feel like play in the rollers in the rail.

So short of systematically replacing all the bits piece by piece to see what the worn part is.....

Thinking it would be either rail, or roller, or hinge, there are only 3 pieces, not sure what the prices of each bit are....

Door is 100% perfectly aligned now though :-)

Any thoughts, anyone else had this?
Anyone any ideas?