In Germany, there is a vendor that sells a roller bearing kit for newer
(85+) doors, the rollers´ surface is made completely out of
teflon/nylon/rubber(?)
I have those in my glovebox, not yet installed. But from what I heard
(rumors and personal experience on sliders equipped with them), they´re
really quiet.

Picture:
http://www.v6bus.de/rollers.jpg

Regards
Raimund

Am 13.08.2020 um 18:20 schrieb David McNeely:
> First, thanks Alistair for clarifying the confusion that has been bandied
> about.
>
> Now, the important part:  Many later model campers DO have hard closing
> sliding doors, with attendant noise.  I now know some of the fixes for
> that, regarding new and remodeled parts, plus proper lubrication.  Some
> even use a special tape on the door roller track to help silence that.  I
> believe you are one of those.  BUT, being a fabricator, do you think a
> handle could be fitted to the rear of the door interior?  If so, how would
> you suggest one do so?
>
> Thanks so much for all the good ideas you have put on here over the years,
> even thanks for those I have not used (most of them, lacking technical
> skills like yours).
>
> mcneely
>
> On Thu, Aug 13, 2020 at 8:22 AM Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>
>> Raimund,
>>
>> My 82 diesel Westy, North American model, had the rear handle on the
>> sliding door. Mounted, as mentioned on a square boss that was welded to the
>> door structure. When I got the van the handle was oriented vertically, ie
>> hanging down. Took me a few years to realize it could be re installed on
>> the boss so it lay horizontally. Made grabbing it a tad easier. And yes, it
>> was the spring loaded handle same as at the front off the door.
>>
>> My 86 Syncro , again North American model. Does not have the rear handle
>> nor the mounting boss.
>>
>> I think it’s safe to say the rear handle was dropped when the door design
>> was changed in 85.
>>
>> Post 85 doors in good working order close so much easier than the older
>> doors that the additional pull using a rear handle ain’t needed when you
>> are trying to do that soft slow close :-)
>>
>> Alistair
>>
>>> On Aug 12, 2020, at 1:18 PM, Raimund Feussner <ray@v6bus.de> wrote:
>>>
>>> Part number front/rear handle is probably identical.
>>>
>>> Makes sense.
>>> I have a 85+ sliding door, and am pretty sure it does not have that
>>> square mounting stud in the rear.
>>> The square stud still has to be the same as the square one on the front
>>> release mechanism.
>>>
>>> Never had the chance to check out a pre-85 door though...which probably
>>> has the rear stud welded to it post-factory, because I know there is no
>>> "bump" underneath the usual doortrim.
>>>
>>> Raimund
>>>
>>>> Am 12.08.2020 um 21:53 schrieb vw_van_fan_Mark:
>>>> inside sliding door handle VW # 253 843 642
>>>> sold used Ebay etc, new replicas? from GoWesty
>>>>
>>>>
>> https://www.gowesty.com/product/handles-trim/2286/inside-sliding-door-handle-
>>>>
>>>> I think many 80-84 Campers had the second one at the back.
>>>>
>>>> Mark
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Raimund Feussner wrote:
>>>>> Hmmm, if it´s unique, it should have its own part number.
>>>>> If it´s used anywhere else, we could do a parts search with its number.
>>>>>
>>>>> The later style front slider door handle is this:
>>>>> https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/UYEAAOSwbNZc4WzX/s-l640.jpg
>>>>> Looks very similar, from Jim´s photo I looked at...
>>>>>
>>>>> Ready to learn something new. Can someone check the discussed handle´s
>>>>> P/N ?
>>>>>
>>>>> Could be from an LT as well.
>>>>>
>>>>> Regards
>>>>> Raimund
>>>>>
>>>>>