Procon-TEN/'88 5kcstq

[Steve Sears]

>Hmm...well, I'll know soon enough when I finally get around to
>fixing the door lock.  Whole door has to come apart, practically...

If you're going to be taking the door apart to fix the lock, you still won't
see the I-beam.  The outer door skin sheet metal bends around the beam under
the trim strip.  This causes a real problem with the design - aluminum beam
affixed with steel bolts and nuts (or threaded plates) in a wet environment
(especially in the salt belt) - talk about a battery!  When I got my 5ktq,
the ends of the beam on at least 2 doors had turned to a mess of aluminum
oxide powder and slivers of aluminum.  Very little side protection there!
The problem is similar to that experienced by the oil cooler fittings, and
the A/C condenser mounting bolts.
For the AF TSB: If you notice the rubber side molding rippling near the
ends, then it would be a good idea to check the condition of the bar.
Cheers!
Steve Sears
1987 5kTQ - r&r'd aluminum beam side protection
1980 5k - steel pipe side protection (~ 1 mph protection?)
1962 and '64 Auto Union DKW Junior deLuxes - they have doors.....:-o
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