Thanks for the video guys, it was a great help. I'm in the process of converting a Sprinter, and it was bugging me how much crap there was under the step, and how much it was grinding/catching when opening or closing. After watching the video, I've now opened up the step, cleaned, painted and lubricated the mechanisms and the door now slides so much more freely. I also took the opportunity to replace the plastic protective foil (the strip that sits under the roller) as that had become distorted and deeply scored - luckily it was just £17 from the local Mercedes Dealer.
Amazing what information you can get on You Tube- I was stuck and did not find the hidden screws.I have automated my door and fitted a side step and it always gets a comment when it closes itself but over time it does need cleaning out for smooth operation
We don't have a specific one at present, the only time we took the back one off is when cleaning the van at the start... You can look through the cleaning van video and see if we show it. Is there something in particular that is stopping you removing the back one?
@@FreedomStrider hi thank you for replying. I’m replacing it as it’s very rough looking and I suffer with van ocd lol . Merry Christmas. I take a look back at your videos. Thanks again
Yes, it was great seeing you. We had a great time, thanks for all the advice. We didn't manage to get to your van this time but we hope next time we meet to have a peak. 😀
We did not this time, they were actually pretty well greased up (it had had a service recently) but yes, if there is no lubricant, that is the time to do it :)
No, the snake cable is loose - when putting the step back in there is a plastic tooth on the underside of the step which you need to place between the snake cable and the metal of the van 👍
@@FreedomStrider thanks for the reply mate, don't suppose there's a video or blown up illustration you can point me in the direction of ? When taking out the screws securing the step I had to drill all but one out so I've had to put some made up threaded bolts coming up from under the floor, hoping this works 🙏 any advise is appreciated. Cheers
@@garyhorne2972 The best footage we have got is starting at 4:53 - the wheel attached to the sliding door has a channel it slots into under the step and you can just about see the plastic tooth in the plastic doorstep. As for the holes where the screws go into - rivnuts might be a good idea to create a new threaded hole for the bolts to go into 🙂
As far as we could tell, it was for the side trim indicator lights. We accidentally drove the van with the cable disconnected - it didn't pop up any warning lights or anything. The door has its own cable and sensor somewhere to tell the van whether it is open or not when the ignition is on, but that cable is not it.
@@FreedomStrider thanks for the answer... I was wondering because I have to start work on replacing a complete door of an older version sprinter... I am quite sure my sprinter doesn't have side navigation lighting so it should be much more simple.... thanks for the answer...
Um, we'll have to dig through the internet to be certain, but from memory the thread size seems like M6 or M5 and the length (for the short ones) about 25-30mm and the long one looks like 80mm... If you get longer bolts it won't matter that much as they poke out. If you have the opportunity to go to a hardware store and get one M5 and one M6 bolt to test, before you buy all that might be best.
Thanks will help removing mine . One thing hammerite paint is not water proof it will rust again again in 3 months use epoxy primer that’s water proof then paint and clear coat that will stop rust
I am trying to replace the chain, wheel etc. I cant even see the bolt covers. To much muck. Someone should create a paper template to show the position. Hint hint £€$ ebay/
I recommend spraying any plastic on vans with Raptor liner paint. It's super easy to do yourself (with some good prep) - and its make the plastic tougher. I actually sprayed my lower sills (plastic side cladding down) , back door, roof and front bonnet/hood with it. Along with the front and back bumpers. It looks bad ass. www.raptorcoatings.com/uk/en-uk/uber-uns
Fantastic video guys!!. Answered a lot of questions I had about my crafter I just bought
Thanks very much this video was a great help removing my side step to get to clean under it, cheers
You're welcome :)
This was my day yesterday, thanks for the video
😀 Glad we helped.
This is great saved me a lot of time cheers from the 🇬🇧
You're welcome :)
Amazing 👏 my side door cable track is all broken and I would never have found them covers.
They're damn near impossible to see and we couldn't get them off with a flathead so screws it was, makes it easier for future removal as well
Thanks for the video guys, it was a great help.
I'm in the process of converting a Sprinter, and it was bugging me how much crap there was under the step, and how much it was grinding/catching when opening or closing.
After watching the video, I've now opened up the step, cleaned, painted and lubricated the mechanisms and the door now slides so much more freely.
I also took the opportunity to replace the plastic protective foil (the strip that sits under the roller) as that had become distorted and deeply scored - luckily it was just £17 from the local Mercedes Dealer.
That's awesome, so glad you got it sorted.
thank you sooooo much from France guys
You're welcome 👍
Thank you so much, this one was baffling me. Would have never found them cover plugs!!
They are little buggers aren't they 😅
very nice thorough job. Well explained and demonstrated as usual.
Cheers! 😊🎉
Thanks guys, this 6 minutes saved me probably a half a day!
You're welcome I'm glad we saved you the frustrations 😊
Thank you very much guys for your help almost snapped the whole sliding door step off with a crowbar .many thanks
Well at one point we did consider breaking out the hammer, it wasn't that easy to figure out 😂
I appreciate you helping me find my long lost track drain hole.
Welcome :)
Thank you very much for this video. I didn't found the screws.
Thank you guys . You just save my day. Blessings.
Glad to help :)
A proper cleaning - nice!!!
Thanks :)
Thanks guys so much really helped me out
We are glad 😊
Glad it helped 👍 😁
Amazing what information you can get on You Tube- I was stuck and did not find the hidden screws.I have automated my door and fitted a side step and it always gets a comment when it closes itself but over time it does need cleaning out for smooth operation
You're welcome :)
Best to give it a good clean every few years to make sure nothing will clog it up 👌
God I've been looking for those bolts for 20 minutes!
They can be tricky to see - did you find them?
It was a great help for me! Thanks a lot
Glad it helped!
Looking for a video for taking the rear door one . Thanks
We don't have a specific one at present, the only time we took the back one off is when cleaning the van at the start... You can look through the cleaning van video and see if we show it.
Is there something in particular that is stopping you removing the back one?
@@FreedomStrider hi thank you for replying. I’m replacing it as it’s very rough looking and I suffer with van ocd lol . Merry Christmas. I take a look back at your videos. Thanks again
Thank you !
I was ready to sawsall the whole damn thing lol
They don't make it easy but they do make it possible if you know how 🤣👌
Good to see you yesterday 👍
Best regards Louie and his two poo pickers 👍😀🐾
Yes, it was great seeing you. We had a great time, thanks for all the advice. We didn't manage to get to your van this time but we hope next time we meet to have a peak. 😀
Freedom Strider 👍😀🐾
Helpful - thank you!
Thanks guys! I just have a question do you have an idea what size all these screws are?
Thanks again
The screws we put in the floor were 4x20s
Thanks! :) I couldn't figure out how to remove those plastic plugs!!
Yeah they're tricky little buggers, we couldn't see them for ages!
Cable track and bottom sliding door roller underneath the step, very nice
Thanks for the step-wise procedure. Did you lubricate the rolling or sliding components anywhere?
We did not this time, they were actually pretty well greased up (it had had a service recently) but yes, if there is no lubricant, that is the time to do it :)
Does the snake cable attach to the underside of the step to anchor it?
Great video guys
No, the snake cable is loose - when putting the step back in there is a plastic tooth on the underside of the step which you need to place between the snake cable and the metal of the van 👍
@@FreedomStrider thanks for the reply mate, don't suppose there's a video or blown up illustration you can point me in the direction of ?
When taking out the screws securing the step I had to drill all but one out so I've had to put some made up threaded bolts coming up from under the floor, hoping this works 🙏 any advise is appreciated. Cheers
@@garyhorne2972 The best footage we have got is starting at 4:53 - the wheel attached to the sliding door has a channel it slots into under the step and you can just about see the plastic tooth in the plastic doorstep. As for the holes where the screws go into - rivnuts might be a good idea to create a new threaded hole for the bolts to go into 🙂
@@FreedomStrider cheers mate I'll let you know how I go on 👍
Very informative video thanks
Thanks mate, glad to help :)
What does the cable chain thingy do ? Is the door powered in any way??
As far as we could tell, it was for the side trim indicator lights. We accidentally drove the van with the cable disconnected - it didn't pop up any warning lights or anything. The door has its own cable and sensor somewhere to tell the van whether it is open or not when the ignition is on, but that cable is not it.
@@FreedomStrider thanks for the answer... I was wondering because I have to start work on replacing a complete door of an older version sprinter... I am quite sure my sprinter doesn't have side navigation lighting so it should be much more simple.... thanks for the answer...
The older vehicles are sooo much simpler to fix and play around with. 😉 Hope the door replacement goes well - let us know how you get on.
@@FreedomStrider I will, keep fingers crossed for most of tomorrow though...
thank you for this video. I am not converting my van just maintenance. you will not believe the amount of crap I found under the step.
Glad it helped, it's amazing what can get lost under there ... 😳
Can anyone please advise the size of the bolts holding the step in place? All of mine are lost
Um, we'll have to dig through the internet to be certain, but from memory the thread size seems like M6 or M5 and the length (for the short ones) about 25-30mm and the long one looks like 80mm... If you get longer bolts it won't matter that much as they poke out.
If you have the opportunity to go to a hardware store and get one M5 and one M6 bolt to test, before you buy all that might be best.
Top Video
Thanks!
What is the plastic on the bottom called? Tell me please.
On the bottom of where? There's the plastic step piece then a chain-thing attached to the door mechanism
Buen vídeo 👌 gracias
👍🙂
Очень подробно! Огромное вам спасибо! 👍
Спасибо 😎
Where are you located
We travel in our van so we move around, the build itself was done around Northampton. Why?
Thanks will help removing mine . One thing hammerite paint is not water proof it will rust again again in 3 months use epoxy primer that’s water proof then paint and clear coat that will stop rust
Thanks for the tip! We'll keep ontop of it.
I am trying to replace the chain, wheel etc. I cant even see the bolt covers. To much muck. Someone should create a paper template to show the position. Hint hint £€$ ebay/
why do you destroy them? just use pliers to grab the little threads and pull, no need to put a screw in
We tried for a fair while to avoid damaging them but the pliers just kept slipping, there wasn't enough thread to grip well.
Would have been nice to see how you removed the plastic cover.
Which plastic cover, the one with the spider in it? If that's the one, there were just two visable bolts and it came off.
@@FreedomStrider
Many thanks 🙏
It’s my age ‘
Good channel for sure.
Thanks 🙏
John
you think thats dirty my van came from a Hydraulics company it was black sludge under the floor lol
Mamma mia! 😬
Did they at least fix the hydraulics?
This guy pulled out a tooth brush
He sure did 😉
There is still small stone under the flat plastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh nooooo, what we'll do! 🙃
I recommend spraying any plastic on vans with Raptor liner paint. It's super easy to do yourself (with some good prep) - and its make the plastic tougher.
I actually sprayed my lower sills (plastic side cladding down) , back door, roof and front bonnet/hood with it. Along with the front and back bumpers. It looks bad ass.
www.raptorcoatings.com/uk/en-uk/uber-uns
Hmm, might have to do this our our side trim pieced and this step ... The final look is temptingly awesome 😎