Swift / Hartal door problem

Easyliving

Easyliving

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A couple of weeks ago our habitation door decided it wasn’t going to open any more (Hartal door on a 2011 Swift Sundance). According to our dealer a new door is required - £2500!

Just wondered if any Funster has had this problem and knows of a cheaper alternative.

Paul
 
Why ? New Door?. Surely all is required is a new locking mechanism?. I think there could be at least One post on here about repairs to door locking mechanisms.
 
You have not said what the problem with the door is other than it would not open.
Is it a lock problem, a hinge problem or what.

Is the door now been opened or is going to require damaging or destroying the door to get it open ?
 
Easyliving said:
knows of a cheaper alternative.
Click to expand...
Not going back to that dealer is one, the other is gradually taking the lock to bits yourself and seeing if you can find a fault, likely to be a worn or broken component, plus some dry lubricant applied to the mechanism.
The only reason for a new door would be if the whole frame/door assembly had warped or broken.

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A couple of weeks ago we were on the aire at Corbeny in northern France. We went for an evening stroll and when we returned we couldn’t get the door open from inside or outside, I tried all ways.

I took the van to our dealers for its annual service / MOT etc and asked them to have a look at the door, thinking it would be a simple fix. Apparently a whole new door is required, not just the lock.

I don’t really ‘do’ DIY so I am waiting to hear from a mobile Motorhome mechanic to see if he can fix it.

Paul
 
Sounds like the lock has seized/jammed, a locksmith might be able to sort it for you.
 
May be something as simple as a broken spring in the locking mechanism, this has happened to me twice. Fortuneately both times it was the locking function that was affected so I could still open the door. Your problem is getting the door open to strip out the mechanism.
 
Sounds like you need to stay away from the dealer £2500 all because your door was working 100% fine before you went for a walk, but jammed shut with you being unable to reopen it when you returned.
Sounds like you just need someone good mechanically minded to get the door open, then see what is wrong with the door.
OR
It could be that the door got severely warped by the sun and is now jammed in the closed position due to pressure being placed on the lock as the door is warped.

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I thought I had seen it:- https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/hab-door.202822/#post-3452801 Have a look and see if it matches Yours?.

Somewhere else to try :- O`leary Motorhomes. They keep many doors windows etc; and being only a few miles from the Swift factory often get redundant stock. You might just get lucky with a full door or even just the Lock and interior panel should you be forced to damage it to get the Door Open?.
 
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I have a swift and the Hab door handle would pull out but not open it. I took the inside cover off only to find one of the long steel rods had come off its runner I put it back in place and it’s worked ok ever since that was 2 years ago it took me less than 10 mins to repair
 
WillH said:
May be something as simple as a broken spring in the locking mechanism, this has happened to me twice. Fortuneately both times it was the locking function that was affected so I could still open the door. Your problem is getting the door open to strip out the mechanism.
Click to expand...


Yes, the problem is indeed a broken spring. Son in law got the door open and diagnosed the problem.

I have emailed Hartal (info@hartal.de) to ask for part number of the locking mechanism, no reply yet though.

Spring should be by yellow arrow.

Paul
7946FCA9-B747-4948-A61A-92561C255DD1.jpeg
 
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It’s fair to say that a £2500 door spring is a bit expensive!

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If you have the parts of the broken spring to use as a template you can make a replacement. Get the spring steel from eBay, coil or shape it using a drill bit or anything round to bend the coil around and then two pairs of plyers for the bends. It doesn't need to be exact so long as it functions correctly.
Also make spare while your at it.
I have made a few and now carry spring steel in the van
Cheers
Ed
 
Who was the Dealer who quoted £2500?

You are not denigrating them by revealing their name. After all, it was their quote!
 
Yet another Hartal Door Lock problem, I just dont understand why they have to be so complicated, using so many moving parts, of which too many are plastic in newer models.
By the look of yours the parts are mostly metal, but the newer ones have black plastic cams etc.

I hope you get a good parts supplier soon, your dealer was taking the mickey, and like so many didnt really want the job, so chanced his arm I reckon with a silly quote.
£2500!!! yea right!
Les
 
maison said:
Who was the Dealer who quoted £2500?

You are not denigrating them by revealing their name. After all, it was their quote!
Click to expand...

We have bought both our vans from Simpson’s in Great Yarmouth. Our van is well out of warranty now but I still go to Simpson’s every year for a service, habitation check and MOT.

They blotted their copybook this time for sure by quoting £2500 for a new door. The pleasant lady on service reception said that many people just pay up in this situation.

I would always recommend Simpson’s - unless there is a door problem!

Paul
 
had the same problem on a 2012 swift .after phoning around brownhills at newark parts dept had them in stock .if you can find your swift build number parts dept can find part very quick .sorry this was two years ago worth a try

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The fitter at Cranhams was quite good, he took the panel off the inside and found the problem part and ordered it and fitted a couple of weeks later, cost about £180.
 
DaveandJen said:
Lots of boxes containing assorted springs on Amazon for little money if you know what you are looking for.

Amazon product ASIN B004TRSKAM
Click to expand...

I thought about just replacing the spring but son in law, who knows about these things, said it would be tricky to dismantle the lock mechanism to get at where the spring is supposed to be.

Still no reply from Hartal so I have emailed their UK distributors to see if they can supply the relevant part.

Paul
 
Hi, just wondering, did you get a reply from Hartal about a replacement spring ? BTW thanks for the advice on how to open the door.

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Easyliving said:
Yes, the problem is indeed a broken spring. Son in law got the door open and diagnosed the problem.

I have emailed Hartal (info@hartal.de) to ask for part number of the locking mechanism, no reply yet though.

Spring should be by yellow arrow.

PaulView attachment 340911
Click to expand...
Hi Sorrry to bother you but am having a similar problem with my door lock and note your yellow arrow but is the spring the black line connecting to the screw at the bottom . If you have a photo of the spring it would be extremely useful.
Cheers
John
 

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