My 73 Kombi sliding door rolls nicely but will not shut properly - it has a new rubber and I can't see anything peculiar with it's fitment.
It just won' close fully so not sure if the catch plate on the pillar behind the passenger seat is in the wrong position and it just needs to have the position of it adjusted.

Did it close properly before the new seal was fitted?

The front catch on the door is more location only. The catch that normally stops them closeing easily and staying closed is at the rear of the door. Have a close look of the adjustment on this one first.
ALSO the little arm on the rear of the door that the roller sits on often wears/comes loose. (try lifting/dropping the rear of the sliding door and watch the little arm for movement) This makes the rear of the door drop meaning it doesn't line up with the catch anymore.
Let us know how you go.
Richard

thanks Andy,
Just picked this bus up that was 4 sale - Peter Keegan said he had problem with it and couldn't work it out thus thought someone on the forum may be able to help - will look at the arm and do what you suggested tonight and let you know.
cheers
Bert

So is it not catching closed and thus popping open or when it is 'closed' it sits out? Does it also look as if it is sitting low?

If it is popping open then i would say it is most likely the position of your striker plate. Just beware when doing stuff with the striker plate. If you remove the screws completely there is a chance that the bit that you screw the screws into will drop off into the pillar, that would be quite annoying.

It is not closing fully - seems to catch but notice the bottom is sticking out a bit.
Thanks for the warning about that plate and the screws dropping into the pillar.

Remove the door and pull of all the latches and give them a good degrease and clean then oil lightly it will be in the adjustment

I had the same problem with my T3. I ended up replacing the lock and spring mechanism. I think it cost me about $200. I realise this is probably not what you wanna hear, but if what vw54 sais doesn't do the trick, there is the next step...David

i guess i got a bargain then at action day...got all the mechanisms for the slidding door for 50 bucks.. my door at the mo wont even open ...when i find the time...hopefully it will

Did some checking last night between friends dropping in to drool ove my new bus.
Did what Andy suggested and there is movement when you lift the door - you can see the roller and the positioning block move and also the arm moves in the braket attached to the door - excessive wear?
Checked the rear catch and can't see how this can be adjusted - pretty well fixed in position. There is a small burr that has developed on the body near the latch possibly from the catch. the catch looks newish.
Checked for any build up of grease in the rolling tracks etc but there is none - the door rolls freely and smoothly.
It pops out at the bottom and at the top it is closer in (so maybe the bottom supporting arm??).
The striker plate on the pillar has been moved as I can see positioning marks around it and will try to centre it back tonight.
Will also check the bottom support arm as this is where it is sticking out.
Thanks to everyone for your comments and suggestions.

does your handle crank back anticlockwise to lock the door in?
the 71 does but the 90 T3 doesn't

Did some fiddling lat night and checked the lower support arm - screws seemed tight but then I did not have an allen key to check - noticed on the bottom that it had been padded out with some thin sheets of metal but for what reason I don't know.
The front stricker plate had a thin metal plate behind it but thought this normal. Tried to re-position the stricked palte but no difference but notice there is a small bracket inside with nylon "leg" on it and this is burred on the end from the latch.lock hitting it - could it be too long and is it necessary - it is new.
Door still closes tight at the front but at the rear it still pops out - more so at the bottom than top. The new seal seems to be fully compressed - could it be in the wrong way but then it seems to fit properly all the way around.
As for the locking by turning the handle anitclockwise well mmmm!! - haven't tried that coz I didn't know about it - as it is a 1973 it is possible that I need to do it and will check tonight.
Maybe a case of getting someone with greater VW Kombi knowledge than I to have a look with me.
thanks to those who have added comments

Hey David,
Well tried the anti clockwise pull to close it and nothing.
Looks like alignment is now out to buggery - got me totally beat if I know - seems to be harder to close - front catch to strike plate - not going as far forward.
Anyone around north side Brisbane want to offer a hand saturday morning.
cheers
Bert

Hey Bert, any luck with the door?

Hi Richard,
Got Old Dubber (VW Genius / Guru) to have look on Sunday for me and we got it aligned better and closing with a good "slam".
Arm and pin has some movement in it (not sure if these are replacable with new parts) - wheel seems ok but the nylon locating block I'm not sure on as it may be worn and need replacement - Seems to travel and roll ok.
Door had dropped but the adjustment made to the top and botton arms lifted it - more like squaring it up.
Rear catch/latch adjusted but door not pulling in all the way - about the door edge metal thickness out - better than what it was by a long shot thanks to Grahame (Old Dubber)
cheers
Bert

Thanks Bert, not sure about the

Thanks Grahame,
Age and Experience are invaluable - tag is fitting.
Would not have got it anywhere near what you achieved and owe you big time.
cheers
Bert

Cool,
Great to hear!

a big :beer to old dubber
Richard

Beer - Old Dubber has a passion for the Bear drink - bundy and Coke/Cola