This is actually a pretty common problem with mid-80s VWs and even happens
on my '96 Passat from time to time.  If you look at the painted metal on the
door below the window on my Vanagon you can see dozens of pits where the
belt clasp has hit the door frame as well.  I'm just careful now, but I
still hit it from time to time.  Never broken a window, though.

Donald Baxter
'85 GL
Iowa City, Iowa

----- Original Message -----
From: "dave bowers" <dave@DAVE-BOWERS.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2003 10:53 AM
Subject: have you ever ....

> After a drive in your vanagon ... have you ever un-latched your drivers
side
> seat belt and slung it over your left shoulder to get it out of the way
....
> only you have the metal latch hit your drivers side window?
>
> Ever break your window doing this?
>
> I'm not usually in a hurry, tho once in a while while bird watching I will
> try to exit the camper unit quickly, only to have my belt CRACK loudly
> against my window. Did it yesterday. CLANK!!! Startle me awake.
>
> I'm on my 4th vanagon - and I've done this a handful of times now for 23
> years. Thankfully I've not broken my window tho I thought I would have by
> now. I've managed to hit it pretty hard sometimes. That will be a rude
> surprise someday.
>
> Just curious if anyone has managed to break theirs either by seat belts or
> perhaps by shutting their doors too hard. Things I think about when I
things
> don't need fixin'.
>
> Have a groovy weekend,
> cheers,
> dave
> ___________________
> dave bowers
> 1986 westy "hms-beagle"
> portland, oregon
> www.dave-bowers.com/vw