The inside rear handle is a very handy tool.
It keeps from ruining the locking assembly on the front latch mechanism.
I learned a long time ago that the outside lever with the locking
mechanism last almost indefinitely when you just push the lock into
position and then press the back edge of the door to snap it into lock
position.

Stan Wilder
83 Air Cooled Westfalia

On Mon, 20 May 2002 22:29:29 -0400 Data Services <dataservices@ATTBI.COM>
writes:
> 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
>

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