[Plant_Dad]

Our sliding automatic doors are getting some hiccups but nothing has failed yet. Occasional bumps while closing. A few times, one has refused to close (or open). Nothing has completely stopped working though, just feeling like it might.

I'd like advice on this plan:


a) Cable replacements (CarCableGuy)

Automatic Sliding Door Cable Replacement

I just finished replacing the cable on the automatic sliding door on our recently-purchased 2009 EX-L. I had replaced the rollers earlier, but later, the cable snapped. I had previously done this on our 2002 using sizzlemp’s write up. Much of it is the same, but there are very important things...

www.odyclub.com

Also see DIY fix for sliding door cable using parts under $10

b) Replace center rollers

Center door roller replacement

Hey guys, I replaced my center door roller on the passenger side of our 2006 ex-l. The doors both worked fine before, but they struggle a little occasionally, and had the original rollers with 160k miles on the van. Having a strange issue after replacing, the door works flawless with the...

www.odyclub.com

c) Lubricate the rear latches?


d) Of course I don't want to replace the entire motor assembly if I don't have to but that would be the best guarantee no more problems for another good while I guess.

(South Main video)



We have summer travel coming up and I want to trust the doors. Any thoughts appreciated, thanks.

 

[kernel]

Did you miss the Mega-Thread up top in the stickies?

Power sliding door mega thread - common issues, their...

The goal of this thread is to consolidate all the information about power sliding door issues that is spread out across the forum. While it will be primarily focused on the 3rd generation Odyssey (2005-2010), the basic ideas in this thread can be applied to all Odysseys with power sliding doors...

www.odyclub.com

a) Cable replacement? Only if the cable snapped.
b) Center roller? Yes! Easy to check and easy to replace. If seriously neglected this will lead to the cable snapping. But from your description of 'occasional hiccups', not in the badly neglected category.
c) Shouldn't hurt.
d) Why?!

 

[WiiMaster]

Cable failure is rare on these, especially when the door is maintained properly with good lubrication and good center roller.

 

[thscott]

Definitely replace the middle roller and lubricate everything. No need to do anything with the cable.

 

[bbrages]

If I remember right, I tried the $10 fix and it didn't work, ended up having to replace the whole roller assembly

 

[Plant_Dad]

Thank you @kernel @WiiMaster @thscott @bbrages

 

[greenmind]

Devil's advocate: I had sliding doors that worked fine - never balked. They seemed a little loose though so in violation of "if it ain't broke don't fix it" decided to replace the center rollers preventatively. While I was doing it unfortunately one of the doors slid off the supports - noob mechanic error. I ended up getting it back on but when it fell one of the bottom roller wheels cracked. This was at the beginning of the winter and I haven't had weather warm enough for me to want to replace the bottom roller, so I've been stuck with a balky sliding door all winter. Worked fine before I started - so I now wish I had just left well enough alone.

All that said: sounds like you do have intermittent balkiness in your doors, so I'd go for it if I were in your shoes. Just make sure your door is very well supported when you take that middle roller off!

 

[thscott]

Devil's advocate: I had sliding doors that worked fine - never balked. They seemed a little loose though so in violation of "if it ain't broke don't fix it" decided to replace the center rollers preventatively. While I was doing it unfortunately one of the doors slid off the supports - noob mechanic error. I ended up getting it back on but when it fell one of the bottom roller wheels cracked. This was at the beginning of the winter and I haven't had weather warm enough for me to want to replace the bottom roller, so I've been stuck with a balky sliding door all winter. Worked fine before I started - so I now wish I had just left well enough alone.

All that said: sounds like you do have intermittent balkiness in your doors, so I'd go for it if I were in your shoes. Just make sure your door is very well supported when you take that middle roller off!

It is so common for the middle roller to fail, that it is the prudent thing to do. It’s not a matter of if, but when. Conversely, it is very uncommon for the top or bottom roller to fail.

And yes, you can’t have the door crashing to the ground.