Tight parking spaces can be tricky to navigate. Once you’ve found a spot, the next challenge is to get out of your ride. If you’ve parked between two other cars or a car and a wall, you must be extra careful to ensure your door won’t hit anything when you exit your vehicle.
This isn’t a problem for cars with sliding doors. After all, their sliding doors don’t require clearance space to swing open, making them ideal for tight spaces. They also make it easier for passengers to get in and out of the car because the doors create a wide opening.
Some vehicles are designed with sliding doors to maximize space. Most daily drivers that come with sliding doors are vans and minivans, with the most popular ones listed below:
As mentioned, these are only some of the vehicles with sliding doors. In fact, there are cars with electrically operated sliding doors, such as the following:
Some of the most common car sliding door problems include the door not opening properly, noise when using the door, and the door sticking or being difficult to slide, among others.
A sliding door that doesn’t stay closed is often caused by an obstruction in its path or issues with one of the hinges. To fix this, you should first check if anything could physically stop the door from properly closing.
If there aren’t, it may be best to take your car to a mechanic to have a professional check for the issue and/or replace one or both hinges if necessary. It’s typically better to have a mechanic check instead of manually replacing the hinges because they have the proper tools and know-how.
There might be something wrong with the door hinges if the sliding door doesn’t open properly. Another possible cause could be problems with the sliding motor door assembly, the component that allows the doors to open and close with a push of a button. However, this is only the case if you can’t open the door using the buttons.
Regardless, both issues can be fixed if you have the hinges or the assembly inspected and replaced, if necessary.
Hearing noises when closing or opening the door is often a sign of old door hinges, as the bearings are wearing out. This results in scraping, grinding, or squeaking noises when the door moves. Luckily, you can fix the issue by greasing the hinges.
To do so, squirt some WD-40, move the door a few times to work in the lubricant, and use white lithium grease once the hinges work. If that doesn’t help, it may be best to take your vehicle to a mechanic and have them replace the hinges.
The rollers on a sliding door ensure it opens and closes smoothly, removing any struggle or needed force. As such, worn-out rollers or hinges greatly hinder your ability to open and close the sliding door, especially manuals.
The best solution for this problem is to take your car to a mechanic and have them replace the rollers or hinges to ensure the door operates smoothly.
As mentioned, some cars are automatic and electrically powered, so electrical issues aren’t uncommon. It’s hard to pinpoint the cause of electrical problems, but you can check the fuses or fusible links to check if they burned out.
Removing the fuse and waiting a few minutes before reinstalling could reset the door. If that doesn’t work, you can always take your vehicle to a mechanic or opt to manually open/close the door, although it is heavy.
Some car sliding door issues need the door handle replaced. Luckily, it’s a relatively simple procedure if you have the appropriate tools. Do note that the process differs depending on the model.
Before starting, you must gather the necessary tools, such as screwdrivers, a socket set, and a trim removal tool. Here’s a general idea of the steps involved based on typical procedures.
Some tips to keep in mind when replacing a car sliding door include the following:
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.