V70 new door strap problem

hmcasey · Post by **hmcasey** » 26 May 2017, 07:08

1998 V70 XC
Morning, I bought a new OEM door strap and started to install it yesterday. The strap comes "loaded" (fully extended position) before I could bolt it all down the door was shut and caused the strap(the slide that gets bolted to the a-pillar) to close. Now I'm unable to pull the strap out back into the loaded position.

SOL?

How to fix?

Thanks Mike

obayha · Post by **obayha** » 26 May 2017, 10:17

You may need to remove and put in a vise and pry the loaded springs in the direction to move the shaft out.
If the old one is around, you can practice on it.
Just a thought.

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 26 May 2017, 10:22

I did this on mine. I had a used strap so maybe the spring tension wasn't as tight as brand new one, but I think I stuck a screw driver in the arm bolt hole and was able to snap that thing into the open position and then bolt it up. As long as it's bolted properly to the door skin, it should snap open. Watch your fingers! Probably best to do this with a long sturdy screw driver.

hmcasey · Post by **hmcasey** » 26 May 2017, 11:19

OK, sounds like I just need a longer screwdriver to pry it. Thanks, since it was in a vise and I couldn't get it to budge I thought I had really messed it up. I'll reinstall it and pull out a larger lever.

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 26 May 2017, 11:46

I think I had the pull arm out just enough and shoved a long sturdy screwdriver through the bolt hole and into the bracket on the door pillar...there was just enough space to do this sitting in the drivers seat with the door 80% closed. The leverage of opening the door as it pivots on its hinges is huge, it will be much harder and more dangerous to try to open it by hand in a vice. Just make sure the door strap body is bolted to the door frame. This is the safest way to do this because if those strap springs broke (unlikely as it is, but they can break) they would fly off and could hurt someone. The method I'm suggesting means the springs and all pinch points are contained in the housing of the door.