04-07-2008, 11:46 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Southern California, 50 miles North of LA
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Hi again,
As we all are concerned by our Alfa doors may be we have overlooked at the possibilities "offered" by our other cars.
may be we all should look as of tomorrow at all our other car doors, it is possible that the solution is there somewhere.
What do you think ?
Claude
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04-08-2008, 12:18 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Jacksonville Florida
Posts: 351
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If you guys can think of anything that will work, then say it. Just don't make it too complicated. I don't do complicated.
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ARDEN
1993 Spider
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04-08-2008, 05:49 AM
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pffffffffffffffffffffff!!
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Broomfield, Colorado U.S.A
Posts: 3,811
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 Quote:
Originally Posted by backfeeder
If you guys can think of anything that will work, then say it. Just don't make it too complicated. I don't do complicated.
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__________________
__Oh Boy ____yeah ______wow ____cool ______yippie ____wahoo __yeah baby _pfffffffffffft
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04-08-2008, 06:46 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Waterdown, Ontario
Posts: 262
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Solution! I think.
Quote:
Originally Posted by backfeeder
If you guys can think of anything that will work, then say it. Just don't make it too complicated. I don't do complicated.
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I am with you. It needs to be simple for me.
As everyone knows, the replacement straps are just too thick and hard to fit between the 2 rollers.
So, after reading the posts, I like many, took to my dremmel and removed the bumps as well as thinned the strap so that it would fit inbetween the rollers.
The problem is that by doing this, the strap loses one of its functions. That is, to hold the door in an open position. Thats what the bumps do. So now I have a strap that's only function will be to keep the door from opening too wide.
I wasn't happy with the result considering the cost of the replacement straps.
So what to do.................
I thought, I thinned out the stap, that's no good. What about thinning out the rollers? Making the gap between the rollers bigger so that the new strap would fit through it?
I headed to my local Home Depot and picked up some plastic hosing. 3/8" OD and 1/4" ID. $0.40 for 12". See picture.
The pins fit through the hole and the new, thick, hard strap, unaltered, fit through the gap!
I installed the strap and now have a truely working strap that not only keeps the door from opening too wide, it holds it in place while opened as well.
I dont know how long the rubber tubing will last, but I think I should get some good use out of them.
If there is any deterioration of the new "rollers", I will let everyone know but I'm pretty happy with the result .
Vin
Last edited by Vintre; 04-08-2008 at 07:57 AM.
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04-08-2008, 07:54 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Waterdown, Ontario
Posts: 262
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Installation and Removal
As promissed, here is how I got the door strap out. As I said, I found it to be easier than previous posts. I think I just got lucky though !
With the door open and the window up, remove the door panel. I reached behind the window wires and through those 2 cross members to grab the strap. If you dont have any strap left you can still reach the rollers.
As you pull it back through, you will hit the window regulator, but with some Alfa twisting and jiggling, you can get it by and out.
Then reverse to get it back.
If your hands are too big, try and find a kid and get them hooked early on Alfa's! 
All and all, I wouldn't say too bad of a fix to do.
Vin
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04-08-2008, 08:55 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Jacksonville Florida
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Hey Vin,
Thanks for taking the trouble to post all the pics. Very good ideas you have there. I have already canceled that particular part of my order with IAP ... and added something else. I wish I had read you post before doing so, as I might have gone and used your ideas for modifying the rollers. During my research last night I found a liquid rubber that someone used in a book to rebuild a door strap. It will involve making a mold, and I'm not sure this solution does not qualify as complicated. If the rubber stuff is not available locally, in hobby shops, I'll order it tonight online. This may take awhile, but I'll really like to try and do this without paying 85$ a side ... plus shipping! Your door strap looks to be slightly different than mine. I have a single strap while yours looks like it has two side by side. I will post my progress or lack there of as I try the repair. As an aside, I love the name of your hometown. Makes me think of rabbits for some reason== : )
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ARDEN
1993 Spider
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04-21-2008, 05:24 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Stamford, CT
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Oops, should have researched this first...
Greetings: With my IAP door check parts in hand, I proceeded to assemble one door's worth. Ugh, the strap is too thick, or the rollers are too thick... NO! the rollers are too STIFF. IAP's set has a wonderful pair of pins, and a decent strap replacement, but the rollers are rock-hard plastic. Something in the assembly "has to give", and it should probably be the rollers.
So I come up to the office to see what I am doing wrong, and I quickly find this thread! I do believe that Vintre has the right idea. I will scout out suitable rubber roller that has some give to it, but enough integrity to last a while.
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04-21-2008, 05:49 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Connecticut, USA
Posts: 2,469
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I keep thinking about replacing my straps, but I see it's not necessarily worth it.
Coming up with a good strap replacement sounds like a job for Uri, no? Hopefully he'll see this and think the same thing.
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Bob Farace
1971 Alfa Romeo 1750 Spider Veloce
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04-21-2008, 07:09 PM
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Slacker
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Location: Northern NY, USA
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Say, anyone else notice how clean Vintre's fingers are in that pic up there?
Do I smell trailer queen? |
04-21-2008, 08:27 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Jacksonville Florida
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Placed my order for this stuff and it should arrive soon.
FlexaneŽ 80 Liquid (1 lb.)
Castable, non-shrinking, medium-viscosity (10,000 cps) urethane compound for making rugged, flexible molds, forming dies, cast parts, non-scratching holding fixtures and abrasion-and noise-resistant linings, as well as for encapsulating parts.
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ARDEN
1993 Spider
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04-21-2008, 08:34 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Northern NY, USA
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I wonder if a durometer # would be of use for such things?
I mean at least to know how hard or soft the rollers have to be to allow the strap to do it's thing properly.
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04-21-2008, 08:38 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Southern California, 50 miles North of LA
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To backfeeder
If the stuff works do you intend to make some and sell them to us ?
Claude
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04-21-2008, 08:40 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Livermore, CA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vintre
Hello All,
I tried a search on this one but came up empty.
I am replacing the door limit straps on my '87 Quad.
Got the assembly out of the door easier than I expected after reading some of the posts. I will post another thread on how I did that. Managed to get the drivers out in 15 mins.
I ordered new straps from Centerline as the brackets are present in the door and look good.
Now for the $64,000 question.
How do you get the new strap through those rollers? I tried to knock those pins out, but they didn't budge and I didnt want to damage them.
Any advice on the straps?
Thanks,
Vince
Attachment 97187
Attachment 97186 |
http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/images/attach/bmp.gif
If this is what you get - well, problem solved.
I would call Centerline and ask them how to install, if gthey are your source.
I also think, that your first idea may end up being the correct solution - bang out one of the pins, insert strap ( correctly ), bang pin back in, install, be happy.
:)
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jeff
1982 Spider Veloce
1999 BMW R1100S
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04-21-2008, 09:53 PM
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Location: Connecticut, USA
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I'm a little confused; maybe someone can clear this up for me: Which were coated, the straps or the rollers, or both, and with what? (I seem to be seeing references to both rubber and vinyl. Maybe this varied by year?) Whatever coating may have been on the mechanisms in my car is so long gone there are no clues. But I do note that the straps are very loose at the loops where they are pinned to the doors, and I've been wondering if some sort of bushing might at one time have been in there.
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Bob Farace
1971 Alfa Romeo 1750 Spider Veloce
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04-21-2008, 10:01 PM
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Location: Waterdown, Ontario
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