the age old problem and the stock reply :)

the old trick is to take off the little black knob on locking latch
and slip a small bit of rubber tubing over the threaded stud. When
the knob is screwed back on it provides enough sticion to keep the
knob in whatever position.

The spring is pretty well impossible to replace.

Alistair

On 6-Nov-06, at 1:59 PM, Burdett, Jean-Pierre wrote:

Hi Gang, looking for the parts & advice that will fix my sliding door
problem.

Let me first say the door slides perfectly and latches perfectly. The
handle is loose and fragile feeling like everyone else's, but not enough
free play to scratch paint (yet)

The problem is I can open the door from the outside only, and I have to
put my hand through the passenger door & hold the little latch(lock?) in
the up position when I open it. This also means I can't open the door
from the inside which is a bit of a pain. I assume I am missing a little
spring that holds it up.

1) Has anyone who has had the similar problems with their door latch and
fixed it?

2) Anyone know where I buy the door lock latch spring or even the entire
mechanism (new or used in good working order)  (Go westy and all other
online vanagon catalogues only have the handle)

All tips appreciated.

PS I'm looking forward to the day I can pay it forward with information
to the next newbie!!!