You hit it on the head, Bob.  To close the earlier, heavier door, from the
inside, one is supposed to slide the door almost closed and then pull that
rear handle inwards to close the door.  Much better than getting a running
start and slamming it.

Dave B.
83 Tiico Westy
83 WBX Westy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob O Shaughnessy" <vanagon@COLUMBUS.RR.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2002 6:23 AM
Subject: Re: Inside rear handle from sliding door

On 5/20/02 12:27 AM, "Jeff Sibley" <Sibleyjm@AOL.COM> wrote:

> In a message dated 5/19/02 8:50:35 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
> zavlomja@EC-RED.COM writes:
>
>
>>
>> Hi amigos:
>>
>> I would like to know what is the purpose of the rear handle in the inside
>> panel of the sliding door, it doesn�t move and is not to help closing the
>> door either (unless you have spare fingers).
>>
>> Any ideas?
>>
>> Javier
>>
>
> hmm interior handle, inside sliding door....i use mine to open the door
from
> the inside, sometimes i hold it also to close the door.  make sure your
> little locking device is working, maybe you handle mechanisms beneatht the
> panel are busted.
> jeff

    Nope, he's talking about the extra handle at the *rear* of the door on
early Vanagons with the heavier door.  I've got one on my 82 Westy.

    I'm assuming that it is intended to help pull the rear of the door into
its catch.  It seems pretty unnecessary, and wasn�t on my 84 (the last year
for the heavy door).
_________________________________________________________

Bob O'Shaughnessy,         Columbus, OH
vanagon@columbus.rr.com
99 A3 Jetta TDI
85GL with basic Westy interior
82 Diesel Westy (with blown engine)
74 Bus (Dad's)
72 Wife, 95 Cat, 96 Cat, 98 Kid, 00 Kid, 01 Dog
25 House