Did you recently replace the door gasket? Try silicone spray on the 
gasket. Make sure it's fully seated all around the door. I've seen cheap 
rubber give this problem - poor fit.

The next thing to look at is whether the door hinges are free. A sticky 
hinge will affect door closing, and can cause nasty problems if not 
freed up. I've seen cracked sheet metal where the hinge mounts to the 
door and to the body in extreme cases. Passenger hinges tend to get 
rusty first because they are used less. You ought to be lubing the 
hinges at every oil change.

If the hinges are moving freely - are they worn so that the door sags? 
The bottom hinge in particular wears faster than the top one. If so, 
replace the pin in the offending hinge first. A worn hinge will make the 
door gap at the rear close up at the top. If lifting the door while 
closing helps, this is a possible cause.

If the hinges are OK and the door is lined up right, you can loosen and 
move the door striker out a little bit and see if that does it. The door 
should close flush with the door jamb at the rear with a solid push, and 
not need slamming.

Last possibility - is the car just nice and airtight? Crack a window 
slightly and try again. VW ads used to point out how airtight Beetles were.

Chuck Kuecker

Greg wrote:
> Hello,
>  
>   The passenger door on my Beetle will not close easy. You have to close 
> it hard before it will latch all the way.  If you close with normal 
> pressure it will latch but will not close all the way.  Which part do 
> you adjust?  The stricker plate or the door latch?
>
> thank you,
> Greg
>   


No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com 
Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.6.7/1631 - Release Date: 8/24/2008 12:15 
PM

_______________________________________________
vintagvw site list
[email protected]
http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/vintagvw

Reply via email to