Grand California Washroom door

[DonGraham]

Hi, I have previously posted about issues with our washroom door. The issue is that it is warped towards the bottom third of the door. When shut the top half of the door is flush with the washroom frame, but the bottom part of the door visually sticks out. This allows water to escape if using the shower.

It is very hard to believe but this is absolutely true, so far my local VW dealer has received over 10 new washroom doors, 2 have actually been fitted, but no better. They have either arrived damaged or visually warped so have not been fitted. The part number has recently changed, so the thought was there is a different manufacturer to overcome the issue, but 3 doors so far have arrived with the updated part number, and guess what? They are also warped! On top of that, due to repeated taking doors off and on, the hinge screws will no longer grip in the washroom frame, so it looks like rivnuts will be required.

The current situation is the van is again with VW, another new door has arrived today and is also visually warped, so yet another has been ordered. The dealership has realised that some of the doors they returned, were then sent back when re-ordered, so on return they are now marking them with a permanent mark.

If you can help please. Both 600 and 680 use the same door. Can you look at your washroom door. If standing in the washroom does the door fit flush with the door frame all the way down, or is there an increasing gap towards the lower third of the door? Can you let me know.

I'm at the point of giving up! The 2026 model uses the same door, Surely someone must have a door that fits properly..... or maybe not?

Thanks
Don

 

[DonGraham]

Thanks for the reply.

Important, get them to check the new door with a straight edge BEFORE fitting. All the new doors that have arrived for me were visually warped straight from the packaging and do not allow them to change the door unless it is straight. Where the door attaches on the frame is thin aluminium, and will only allow a limited number of changes before the screws will no longer hold, as has happened in my case!

I am interested to know how you get on. As mentioned, the number of doors I have had are now in double figures! Incredible, but true!

 

[DonGraham]

Also intersted to hear from people whose washroom doors actually fit properly, and from people who have had their door successfully replaced.

 

[KP01]

Thanks for the reply.

Important, get them to check the new door with a straight edge BEFORE fitting. All the new doors that have arrived for me were visually warped straight from the packaging and do not allow them to change the door unless it is straight. Where the door attaches on the frame is thin aluminium, and will only allow a limited number of changes before the screws will no longer hold, as has happened in my case!

I am interested to know how you get on. As mentioned, the number of doors I have had are now in double figures! Incredible, but true!

What happened when the aluminium frame was knackered - did they have to rebuild that section of the shower room?

 

[DonGraham]

It hasn’t been resolved yet. A tempy fix with wall type plastic plugs to hold the door on, I think the solution will be rivnuts. We’ve already had the washroom wall replaced due to cracking above the heater vent.

 

[murray0710]

We have a June 23 680 and bathroom door was warped, bigger gap at bottom, from day one. Had it replaced, which initially was a lot, lot worse and had to be adjusted. This made it a bit better but still same issue with bigger gap at bottom. Gave up at this point.

 

[DonGraham]

We have a June 23 680 and bathroom door was warped, bigger gap at bottom, from day one. Had it replaced, which initially was a lot, lot worse and had to be adjusted. This made it a bit better but still same issue with bigger gap at bottom. Gave up at this point.

Yes it seems to be the norm! We've yet to find someone whose door fits as it should! I wish I'd given up, as now there is the issue that the retaining screws will no longer grip in the door frame with repeated change of doors. Temporary fixed at the moment, but a permanent fix still to be worked out. Perhaps using rivnuts.

 

[Coachella]

Might be slightly messy - experiment out of the van first - but you could fill the hole with bicarb of soda and superglue. Layer bits at a time. This would make a good base to drill into - and super strong.
And then the hinge would hide the work
Just a thought ?

 

[DonGraham]

Might be slightly messy - experiment out of the van first - but you could fill the hole with bicarb of soda and superglue. Layer bits at a time. This would make a good base to drill into - and super strong.
And then the hinge would hide the work
Just a thought ?

Never thought of that one, but would be worth an experiment! Thanks!

 

[Topsy]

Also intersted to hear from people whose washroom doors actually fit properly, and from people who have had their door successfully replaced.

Hi Don,

Mine fits okey.

 

[DonGraham]

That's good to hear! There is some hope then!

 

[Deise13]

Hi Don,

Mine also fits without any issues.

 

[Deise13]

 

[DonGraham]

Amazing! Wish mine was like that!
Thanks for the pic, I’ll show it to the dealer to say it may still be possible to get a non-warped door!
With having so many doors ordered a thought was there is something wrong with the door frame, but the frame is perfect, all the new doors that arrive are visually warped!
Cheers! Don

 

[DonGraham]

Another washroom door fitted. Better than some, but still not as it should be!
Realising now after around 12 doors, 4 actually fitted it is not possible to get a proper fix from VW, so I decided to have a go myself.
I placed a block of wood around the area of the door lock on the door frame, closed the door against the wood, and cut a length of wood to force the bottom edge of the door inwards against the frame. Protecting the door and fridge finish with old number plates, in fact ideal to get the adjustment correct.
Put a heater in the van and left it like that for a few days…
Result, a non warped door! I did have to do this a couple of times, as the door wanted to return back slightly warped, but now it seems happy in its new non warped position.
In case you are wondering about the pole, I replaced the failed roof lining velcro at the join. The pole to add pressure while the adhesive sets.
Fingers crossed all now remains as it should!

View attachment IMG_4779.jpeg

View attachment IMG_4794.jpeg

 

[DonGraham]

Also, forgot to mention, to get over the problem of the stripped door hinge screws no longer biting and holding in the door frame, I bought stainless screws the next size up. I then machined the screw heads in my lathe to be the exact same size as the original screws and handed them to the VW tech before he replaced the latest door.
He later told me those screws you made worked a treat and door fitment is now solid as a rock!
(Still keeping fingers crossed!)

 

[David M]

I think most of the doors are warped and in all fairness if they aren't when fitted, with all the potholes etc on our roads shaking the vans interior - soon would be. I find it easier to accept this and have a small half shower curtain which covers the door and forces water away from running down the door, its held on with 4 stick on suction pads and can be folded back when not in use - out of the door opening.

 

[DonGraham]

Good idea! So far my persuasion with a block of wood to bend the bottom of the door back to straight has worked! I’ve had to re-do a couple of times but now it seem to know it’s new position, miles better from where it was when it was fitted.