windshield cracked - wtf ???
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
windshield cracked - wtf ???
About 5 months ago I got a new windshield installed. I've driven about 15-20 miles since the install (yes, fifteen-twenty) and today I noticed this 6" long crack at the bottom corner on the driver's side.
Now I am pretty sure that there was no crack when I cleaned the windshield after I removed the masking tape after I painted the car.... so how in the %^&& did this happen ?
I did not drop anyting heavy on it, I did not even lift the car (thought about a flexing birdcage)
The crack starts at the outside bottom corner of the windshield, approximately 2" below the lowest screw that hold the stainless trim - yes, I made sure that I did not hit the glass with a screw when installing the trim, the crack is way lower than the screw.
I got the car out in the sun for the first time - can that crack the glass ???
I guess I'll call them on Tuesday and see if that's covered under warranty .... I'm sure the insurance won't be too happy about a second claim within 6 months......
Now I am pretty sure that there was no crack when I cleaned the windshield after I removed the masking tape after I painted the car.... so how in the %^&& did this happen ?
I did not drop anyting heavy on it, I did not even lift the car (thought about a flexing birdcage)
The crack starts at the outside bottom corner of the windshield, approximately 2" below the lowest screw that hold the stainless trim - yes, I made sure that I did not hit the glass with a screw when installing the trim, the crack is way lower than the screw.
I got the car out in the sun for the first time - can that crack the glass ???
I guess I'll call them on Tuesday and see if that's covered under warranty .... I'm sure the insurance won't be too happy about a second claim within 6 months......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Mine had a small gravel chip in it when I got it, PO said it had been there for years. A year or so later, I pulled the cover off and there was a crack all the way across the windshield.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
I'm sure there was no crack after I installed the trim - I cleaned the glass a few times and would have noticed....
that crack is about 6" long from the outer edge towards the center .... that's pretty big....
I'm really curious to hear what they're saying, warranty or BS.........
that crack is about 6" long from the outer edge towards the center .... that's pretty big....
I'm really curious to hear what they're saying, warranty or BS.........
Last edited by MYBAD79; Dec 31, 2006 at 12:54 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 41
From: Raleigh NC
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
Sun and heat can easily cause glass to crack, as well as cold. But thats only going to happen when you move from cold to hot real fast, and in Orlando I doubt you're going from 20 degrees inside your garage to 95 degrees in the sun.
I'd check for a chip though, even one thats only on the surface. If you have any weak spots in it, it'll run for sure in the sun.
I'd check for a chip though, even one thats only on the surface. If you have any weak spots in it, it'll run for sure in the sun.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
how is your birdcage an d what's the condition of the body mounts? It's also possible they messed up when installing and there was stress on the glass resulting in the crack. I'd call the installer and see what he says about it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 2
From: Long Island New York
I have the same thing in the same spot and no idea how it got there. I think mine may have happened when I had the front of my car up on jack stands while I was doing my front end rebuild. I'm thinking maybe I flexed the frame on that side and it might have moved the windshield post enough to stress the windshield and cause it to crack. It's not that noticeable and it doesn't leak so I'll leave it on back burner for now until it bugs me enough to get me to replace it.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
The birdcage is in very good shape, I only fixed two little rust holes, that's it, the cage looked like this after wirebrushing and 80 grit sandpaper:
There are many many C3s out there with birdcages rusted to $hid and the windshields are still fine.
The body mounts are new, poly...... I made sure all 8 were loaded when I installed them - all 8 were tight before I tightened the bolts (couldn't turn them by hand)
The temperature difference between inside and outside the garage is not a lot but when the sun hits the glass it gets very hot.
Now.... the old glass was fine.... I had an inspection sticker from 1991 on that thing - means that glass hasn't cracked in >15 years until the rock hit it
There are many many C3s out there with birdcages rusted to $hid and the windshields are still fine.
The body mounts are new, poly...... I made sure all 8 were loaded when I installed them - all 8 were tight before I tightened the bolts (couldn't turn them by hand)
The temperature difference between inside and outside the garage is not a lot but when the sun hits the glass it gets very hot.
Now.... the old glass was fine.... I had an inspection sticker from 1991 on that thing - means that glass hasn't cracked in >15 years until the rock hit it
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Chambersburg PA
[QUOTE=spedaleden;1558314152]I had mine replaced and the same thing happened, but I nicked the winshield when I was putting the side trim on the drivers side.
That is the first thing I thought of. I did that on mine also.. Luckily it only went in about 3 inches and then turned to the bottom. Not noticable onless you are standing right in front of it..
That is the first thing I thought of. I did that on mine also.. Luckily it only went in about 3 inches and then turned to the bottom. Not noticable onless you are standing right in front of it..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
Min's the opposite. My 39 year old original winshield is in near perfect condition but the chrome winshield pillar tips that the convertible top connects to are down to the bare metal from repeated bolt downs of the ragtop with dry rotted/ no insulation. So I bought two chrome original GM chrome pillar tips and once I got the outer aluminum off I found the front screw is underneath the glass! I cannot replace the chrome without removing and cracking the windshield. Who the f#$% designed that part!!??
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,991
Likes: 3
From: Piscataway NJ
Always inspect the perimeter of the glass for the smallest defect. A small chip will lead to a cracked windshield. If you follow the crack you may find it. Also the newer glass is not as thick as the original. So it is real important that all body mounting points are in good shape. I doubt this was the case here.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
[QUOTE=DavidEverly;1558317090]
I'm going to bit the bullet and have another windshield installed. The car is worth 350.00.
I had mine replaced and the same thing happened, but I nicked the winshield when I was putting the side trim on the drivers side.
That is the first thing I thought of. I did that on mine also.. Luckily it only went in about 3 inches and then turned to the bottom. Not noticable onless you are standing right in front of it..
That is the first thing I thought of. I did that on mine also.. Luckily it only went in about 3 inches and then turned to the bottom. Not noticable onless you are standing right in front of it..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
Sorry to hear of your set-back after a good progress run. With all these cars it seems to be two steps forward and one step back. I will have some questions when I see you on the 14th. Good luck on your outcome.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
it most likely was a stress crack from too much force on the windshield. That combined with weather or movement around the windshield resulted in the crack. I too have one in mine from probably the same issue. The previous owner had just gotten it replaced before I bought it. If he wasn't such a weirdo, I would have pursued the issue.