In a message dated 1/31/02 10:37:01 AM Eastern Standard Time,
grateful@PLATO.NMIA.COM writes:

> Another question I have pertains to the sliding door latch hardware on my
> 84 Vanagon.  I guess I didn't have to say it was a Vanagon for this list.
>
> It seems to wear out about every 100K miles.  Before anyone tells me
> that there is no connection between the mileage I put on the road and
> the door latch: I know that.  It just _seems_ to gradually get really
> hard to open and then the cast aluminum handle eventually cracks about
> every 100K.  This will be the second latch I will be putting in.  I took
> out the latch and tried looking for places to lube the thing but didn't
>

the '80-'84 vanagon sliding doorhandles were made with cheap pot metal from
lower mongolia.  (ask  BenT or Terry for the story here)  anyway the point
is, they always break, exactly every 100k mi.   there is a small timer built
into the handle (dont even look for it, you cant see it - a marvel of german
(or mongolian) engineering) which causes a siesmic wave internally in the
handle, and creates a fault line.  which also simultaneously corresponds with
the same time your mother in law YANKS the doorhandle OUTWARD instead of
pushing down. those two forces create the undesired result - what is called
the"sliding door handle stubby" (yes, its a scientific term) .     now, if
youre really talented, you can get by with the doorhandle stubby.  but it is
most difficult for vanagon owners who dont have vice grips as hands (tho
there are some out there that do)   anyway, most likely a new (gaack, new$$$)
or used doorhandle is in order .  (obligitory FS post inserted here---->  i
have a few '85-'91 slidijg doorhandles for the affordable price of $29 each..
these can easily be adapted to fit the 80-'84 vanagons by a simple mod,
trimming off the tip of the handle where it curves inward to the body.
viola, any no more stubby.
:<)
chris