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so, i have just installed a new gasket/weather strip in the frame and installed the assembly on the car ,,so after sitting for a couple weeks the windshield developed a crack on the radius (curve) of the windshield ,it is the original windshield ,has anyone had this happen ?
i was really careful about tightening the nuts evenly ,,
gmonde
Same thing happened to me. Broke my heart. It was very difficult to get the glass in the frame and then get the whole assembly onto the car. I was afraid of this, so I was extra careful when I did it. Afterwards I was too disheartened to try it again. My local Corvette shop did the job.
yeah ,, i am doing the car for a customer and have tackled many different windshields ,, of coarse the owner noticed it before i did when he was dropping off parts ,,,once i get it apart again i will have to look and see if there was a chip on end ,, thats the only thing i could think of
That's all I could think of too. I'm 99% sure I didn't over tighten the nuts. I purposely loosely tightened them because I wasn't concerned about water leakage. This car isn't driven in the rain. Auto glass is pretty strong. But it won't withstand pinpoint stress or twisting.
Yup. Happened to me on my first '60, when I replaced the lower frame seal due to water leakage, in the exact same spot you mentioned. My current '60 needs a new windshield but I'm afraid to do it for the same reason.
Post a picture of the crack. I've installed dozens of these things. A screw or stud hit the edge of the glass. The top post machine screws that are sold by the vendors are 1/4" too long from the originals. They go through the top of the post, and attach to a nut plate that holds the top of the post. If one of those screws is too long (usually the outboard one), it will nick the glass at the top corner, and cause a crack. The two 5/16 studs that are on the bottom of the post can also cause a problem. Most of the time, when the posts are sent for replate, the holes are re-threaded, and spin freely. If you don't put some lock tight on them, they will drive right into the bottom of the glass when you tighten the nuts. I have never had a windshield crack from "tightening" the nuts under the dash. It simply pulls the lower channel downward.
Last edited by mike coletta; Mar 22, 2020 at 10:03 AM.
i just sent my windshield post out for chrome and will be tackling this when i get them back
some great advice mike, all my hardware is abused so i'll likely order new.
i'll pay close attention to the length of it
So here is picture of the crack ,,it originates from the bottom side ,,and dont think a screw hit the edge,, but as is said there could of been a chip at the originating edge,, This comes from the bottom and the crack goes all of the way to the top but is not complete to the top ,,its the outer layer only
I'm sorry to see that. Could be that there was a chip. Usually, a chip will cause a crack when the temperature changes, and not immediately, which is what you said. There really isn't anything on the bottom channel that can cause the glass to break, unless the channel edge is bent on that corner. The t-bolts can't cause that. When you disassemble the frame, check the fit of the lower steel channel, without the rubber, to make sure that it's not "crimped" at the corner. It will be very evident if it's bent, as those lower channels are very hard to bend. USE THE OLD GLASS TO TEST THIS FIT, or put a layer or two of tape on the edge if you decide to test the new glass. It should drop right on. When you order your new glass, be sure to check the edges for "oysters", or small clam shaped chips on the edges. These are usually caused by poor handling of the glass, and can develop into cracks over time. I usually get my glass from Auto City Classics. They sell clear glass for gen 1 corvettes, and can date stamp them for you. Most of the time, not always, their shipping is very good. Almost all of the vendors get their glass from them, but very expensive. Good luck on the repair.
Last edited by mike coletta; Mar 22, 2020 at 05:41 AM.
I bought dated clear windshield and side glass direct from Pilkington. Any known comparisons between Auto City and Pilkington? I have not yet installed them but windshield thickness is 9/32".
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windshield cracked after installation
