General Left barn door will not open

[Dean33]

My 2021 Ducato hightop campervan has rear barn doors. The left one has stopped opening when I pull the handle. With somebody holding the handle I can force it open with all my weight but that’s not ideal because I felt fat on the floor! But that allowed me to see that the latch is still working when I pull the handle. So I’m wondering if it’s missalligned or worn in some way or is there some adjustment to greasing? I tried removing the U shaped bar on the main body of the van but that’s awkward because it’s a campervan and the converter has left some wood covering one of the staff shaped screws. Is there a way to adjust this please?

 

[bugsymike]

My 2021 Ducato hightop campervan has rear barn doors. The left one has stopped opening when I pull the handle. With somebody holding the handle I can force it open with all my weight but that’s not ideal because I felt fat on the floor! But that allowed me to see that the latch is still working when I pull the handle. So I’m wondering if it’s missalligned or worn in some way or is there some adjustment to greasing? I tried removing the U shaped bar on the main body of the van but that’s awkward because it’s a campervan and the converter has left some wood covering one of the staff shaped screws. Is there a way to adjust this please?

A photo may help us to diagnose.
Can you see any signs of misalignment. Often with heavy doors they drop and need adjusting.
If when door is open , you bring it almost to the closed position you should be able to see where it is aligning or not.
Presumably it unlock OK and it is just when you try to pull the handle to release the catches.
Am I correct that the right hand door unlocks normally , but when you pull the handle in the left hand door it doesn't ?
When in pulled position, can you see if it is releasing the top or bottom catch as I suspect, so when you apply force, the door twists and pulls away from the second catch?

 

[Dean33]

A photo may help us to diagnose.
Can you see any signs of misalignment. Often with heavy doors they drop and need adjusting.
If when door is open , you bring it almost to the closed position you should be able to see where it is aligning or not.
Presumably it unlock OK and it is just when you try to pull the handle to release the catches.
Am I correct that the right hand door unlocks normally , but when you pull the handle in the left hand door it doesn't ?
When in pulled position, can you see if it is releasing the top or bottom catch as I suspect, so when you apply force, the door twists and pulls away from the second catch?

Thanks. All assumptions correct. The bottom catch is catching when slammed and is opening when I pull the handle. As you may see the wood cutout doesn't leave great access to the rights screw but I have removed and put that U shape back in place. So, on the assumption the door will have dropped (not risen) would it be worth loosening the U”S bolts and putting some sort of spacer in? Or other way? Cheers.

17-05-2025-12-47-28 hosted at ImgBB

Image 17-05-2025-12-47-28 in Dean33's images album

ibb.co

17-05-2025-12-48-59 hosted at ImgBB

Image 17-05-2025-12-48-59 in Dean33's images album

ibb.co

 

[bugsymike]

Thanks. All assumptions correct. The bottom catch is catching when slammed and is opening when I pull the handle. As you may see the wood cutout doesn't leave great access to the rights screw but I have removed and put that U shape back in place. So, on the assumption the door will have dropped (not risen) would it be worth loosening the U”S bolts and putting some sort of spacer in? Or other way? Cheers.

17-05-2025-12-47-28 hosted at ImgBB

Image 17-05-2025-12-47-28 in Dean33's images album

ibb.co

17-05-2025-12-48-59 hosted at ImgBB

Image 17-05-2025-12-48-59 in Dean33's images album

ibb.co

If the doors appear inline/not to have dropped, on some catches those two bolts are in a sliding groove so by slackening it may be possible to adjust them to a better position.
Another point to check is with door in open position use a screwdriver to lock/close the top catch and check that when release handle is activated that it does let the catch go.
Incidentally after doing this check, make sure the catch is in the open position when you try to close the door or it will damage the lock.

 

[Dean33]

If the doors appear inline/not to have dropped, on some catches those two bolts are in a sliding groove so by slackening it may be possible to adjust them to a better position.
Another point to check is with door in open position use a screwdriver to lock/close the top catch and check that when release handle is activated that it does let the catch go.
Incidentally after doing this check, make sure the catch is in the open position when you try to close the door or it will damage the lock.

Thanks. I eased off the screws and that allowed me to pull the door open. The latch appears to be working and open. I can close the door and reopen it with a good yank. The screws are still loose and the U thing is moving up and down a bit. So I need to pack it out to firm it up in place. Any idea of what I can use as a shim. I'm on Mull miles from a B&Q? Anyway thanks for the support. I can now use the door temporarily. Cheers.

 

[bugsymike]

Thanks. I eased off the screws and that allowed me to pull the door open. The latch appears to be working and open. I can close the door and reopen it with a good yank. The screws are still loose and the U thing is moving up and down a bit. So I need to pack it out to firm it up in place. Any idea of what I can use as a shim. I'm on Mull miles from a B&Q? Anyway thanks for the support. I can now use the door temporarily. Cheers.

Normally once correctly positioned then should be no need to use packing/spacers or shims etc. Just tight in best position.
Providing nothing is going to rest or hit against that door, then temporarily you could remove the top catch in your photo and rely on the bottom one and the centre closing lock to keep it together.
Personally I would try and see why it still needs a good yank to open, something must be out of alignment.

 

[NeilDD]

Just popped outside and had a quick look at my doors.
Adjusting the metal U bracket as you describe it will adjust the in/out latching point
The up/down can be adjusted by slackening the screws holding the latch in the door

HTH
Neil