Loose door slide suggestions needed

[billdorn]

My door is very hard to open, even after lots and lots of cleanings and now lubings as well. I have not even used the boat yet since my purchase (knowing this door would be so hard to fix, I would not have bought the boat along with 7000$ in parts and labor already)

I've searched and searched and I know the proper fix is to remove the helm & take the door off so I can access the guides and delrin slides. I can see the top and bottom delrin slides are loose from the door when I lift up on the door and the screw is just dangling in it. I think this allows the door to bind when pushed on it.

have any smart/clever people on here drilled holes in the doors to access the slides and put a new screw into them and then just repaired the door with epoxy or something afterwards?

looking for some out of the box ideas that may work.

 

[Henry Boyd]

The helm dismantling thing is limited to specific models, like the 280. I don't recall reading anything about it being the same for the 240. So first thing would be to double check that and make sure you have gotten good information.

Henry

 

[billdorn]

The helm dismantling thing is limited to specific models, like the 280. I don't recall reading anything about it being the same for the 240. So first thing would be to double check that and make sure you have gotten good information.

Henry

There is no way to take the door out that i can see. It slides into the helm and has the stairs built into it. the 240, 250, 260,280 are all the same from what i can tell.

Im thinking about drilling an access hole from the walkway right thru the metal rail and fiberglass, then i can slide the door over the hole and fix the loose screw from the walkway on the top one and from mid berth cabin on the bottom one. i would then just fill the hole with epoxy after wards.

 

[boatmailster]

there is another option what you can consider. remove both slides and remove screws, put slides back in track and after careful measurements drill and countersink two screw holes on top of the door and screw slides from the top not from underside. some newer models have slides installed that way

 

[billdorn]

there is another option what you can consider. remove both slides and remove screws, put slides back in track and after careful measurements drill and countersink two screw holes on top of the door and screw slides from the top not from underside. some newer models have slides installed that way

I am considering this actually, i just cant think of how to get the current loose slide off.

so instead i think i will drill through the rail to create an access hole to just tight the current slide (or to remove it)

 

[billdorn]

here is a pic of where i think i can just drill an access hole

 

[boatmailster]

i think you should be able to remove screw with needle nose pliers or use hacksaw blade and cut screw ( be careful not to damage vinyl). the metal slide could be removed without removing door. To do it remove door stop (behind dash) - it will allow door to slide a little further and expose extra screw, screw under dash can be removed with right-angle screwdriver. to remove screw from slide get someone to help you, tape top of the door to prevent scratches, go inside cabin and close the door. Pry top of the door u and you should be able to pull out screws. while holding door up slide slides with screws to port side and with someone help open cabin door.

 

[billdorn]

thanks for the suggestion, maybe i should try this 1st, just afraid i'll have a hard time putting the rail back in, you think a hole from the top of the door would be better than a hole thru the rail?

Also, couldnt i just do this without taking the slide & rail off? I could just drill a hole now from the top of the door. Also, this would only work for the top slide. the bottom one is also loose.

i think you should be able to remove screw with needle nose pliers or use hacksaw blade and cut screw ( be careful not to damage vinyl). the metal slide could be removed without removing door. To do it remove door stop (behind dash) - it will allow door to slide a little further and expose extra screw, screw under dash can be removed with right-angle screwdriver. to remove screw from slide get someone to help you, tape top of the door to prevent scratches, go inside cabin and close the door. Pry top of the door u and you should be able to pull out screws. while holding door up slide slides with screws to port side and with someone help open cabin door.

 

[Degree of Freedom]

any luck billdorn? I've got the same boat with the exact same problem (the picture you posted looks just like mine). I'm hoping to figure something out this winter without removing the helm.
Dan