This is the stuff I like to use ~ No Need to cover all surfaces, just any area that is Flat >

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Peel-Seal-Instant-Waterproof-Repairs-6-in-x-25-ft-Aluminum-Roll-Flashing/1018733

        Is truly amazing how much nicer the Front Door Closings Sound ~

On 13 Aug , 2020, at 12:11 PM, Kenneth O'Connor wrote:

> Regarding the FatMat, any risk of it holding moisture / enabling rust?
> 
> On Thu, Aug 13, 2020 at 11:02 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
> 
>> Yes,
>>        Some fat mat in my slider made a big difference in sound.  It is
>> still a door shutting but more of a quiet thunk and not a tin bell.
>> 
>> Eric Caron
>> 
>> 
>>> On Aug 13, 2020, at 1:57 PM, Richard Smith (Smirby) <smirby@GMAIL.COM>
>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> I think all of us would benefit from a form of sound deadener in the
>> doors. It is my understanding that the last couple of years (90/91?) had
>> insulation in the sliding door that helped in this regard.
>>> 
>>> I’ve never opened my door panel on my ’87 but if the clips keep breaking
>> off I will have it off soon enough (two of the clips are now self-tapping
>> screws with washers on them…). When that happens I will look into putting
>> something in there - maybe peel’n’stick left over from my house roof…
>>> 
>>> Biggest difference for me is keeping the lower track free of grains of
>> sand/gravel - that takes the “grumble” away (and presumably ensures the
>> bearings last a bit longer).
>>> 
>>> With my ’85, I did a major cleaning and found that the middle track had
>> some rust/pitting and I was able to clean that up with sandpaper and smooth
>> out the rumble a bit.
>>> 
>>> …r
>>> 
>>>> On Aug 13, 2020, at 10:46 AM, steve meassick <stevem@TDHVAC.COM> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> I installed this kit a number of years ago.  It did make the rolling
>> quitter, but by no means silent.  Also, you still had pretty much the same
>> noise as the door pivoted in during the final closing phase.  The noise at
>> this time is not due to rolling.
>>>> 
>>>> Steve
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List On Behalf Of Kenneth O'Connor
>>>> Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2020 12:43 PM
>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>> Subject: Re: closing slider quietly
>>>> 
>>>> I think this is the kit you mentioned:
>>>> 
>>>> 
>> https://total-bus-bekloppt.de/produkt/vw-bus-t3-schiebetuer-lagersatz-auch-ab-8-84-92-mach-deine-schiebetuer-leise/
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Wow, that seems spricey to me!
>>>> 
>>>> On Thu, Aug 13, 2020 at 10:24 AM Raimund Feussner <ray@v6bus.de> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>> 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
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>