Cleaning up all sliding surfaces to remove grit and junk (with Isopropal Alcohol and LOTS of rags) will go a long way.  Pinpoint application of White Lithium grease with red spray tube into bearings will also go a long way.  Still...the unmistakable sound of a Vanagon door sliding and latching will be heard by the discerning ear throughout the campground.  BTW...the cleaning and lube should be an annual event....just the way it goes.  These Vanagons are magical but not perfect.  Also....those nice wide mouth plastic containers from Costco that hold cashews or peanuts...ideal for...you know...in the middle of the night.

    On Saturday, August 1, 2020, 5:16:11 PM PDT, OlRivrRat <olrivrrat@comcast.net> wrote:  
 
         My '90 Westy Does Not Have A Handle on the RearEnd of the Slider but I have often pondered

adding 1 as I seem to recall that 1 or Both My '76 &or '82.5 Westys had such a Handle & I Liked IT ~

        As for Quiet Sliding > Since No One commented on My post last week about

Spark Of Imaginations "Quiet Guide-Bearing Kit" I thought I'd Post again ~

http://www.sparkofimagination.com/vanagon           

http://www.sparkofimagination.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/Vanagon_Sliding_Door_Guide_Bearing_Kit_05.158135202.pdf

On 1 Aug , 2020, at 3:59 PM, Eric Caron wrote:

> My memory says my 1984 came with it standard and it was flush to the door but I think somehow tilted out to grab.  But I’m sure they came with the earlier vans.
> 
> Seems like the 85 just missed it.
> 
> Eric 
> 
> 
>> On Aug 1, 2020, at 3:37 PM, Raimund Feussner <ray@V6BUS.DE> wrote:
>> 
>> Most probably all these handles were retrofitted. None of the euro
>> Vanagons have these, and they are not mentioned in the parts catalogue.
>> 
>> Photo anyone? I wonder if they are standard grab handles, and fit
>> between open door and C-pillar when moving door...?
>> 
>> 
>> Regards
>> Raimund
>> 
>> 
>> Am 01.08.2020 um 21:32 schrieb Tom Buese:
>>> My 84 has the rear handle.
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>>> On Aug 1, 2020, at 3:08 PM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Hi Jeff and others,
>>>> 
>>>> I’m trying to remember.  I think my 84 did but I don’t remember if my 85 does  I haven’t seen my van in over 5 months.
>>>> I’m thinking it doesn’t have such a handle.
>>>> 
>>>> Something to add to my wish list!
>>>> eRic
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> On Aug 1, 2020, at 1:41 PM, Jeff Palmer <w.jeff.palmer@icloud.com> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Is there?! What years? I think my dads 79 might have had one but don’t think my 85 ever did. Eric does yours? Would love to get one if it did!
>>>>> 
>>>>> Jeff
>>>>> 
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2020, at 4:26 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> There is a handle at the rear of the door for this purpose.  Just slide door
>>>>>> slowly to the front and pull the handle in to engage the latch rather than
>>>>>> slamming it.  From the outside you can push in the rear edge of the door to
>>>>>> latch it.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Stuart