So I was driving to work this morning on the interstate. There were no cars anywhere around me, then all of a sudden I hear a loud pop on my windshield. When I got to work I looked at the windshield and saw about a half inch crack on the bottom of the windshield on the driver's side. The center of it looks pretty deep. I don't want to have to change out my windshield for a little crack. How are windshield companies with "fixing" this sort of thing?

I know insurance will pay to fix it, but i'm worried about the seal around the windshield. I've heard some horror stories.

 

Glass repair shops can fix it, but it will leave a smear/smudge in the area. If you want to repair, take it in ASAP, because cold weather at night can cause the crack to expand.

 

If your windshield cracked without any outside force (like a rock) acting on it, there is either a defect in the glass or the way it was installed. Bring it to the dealer.

 

that you should put some tape over the spot to stop moisture from getting into the area as that will cause it to expand. they can fix it without removal but you have to do it quickly. the "smudge" is more of a distortion, and probably wont bother you unless its RIGHT in front of you.

 

i got a small chip on mine but it's not crack. if you have a crack line then you have to replace it. i don't know how less crack you can have enable to get it fix i know toyota and lexus have very weak glass. my friends is300 replaced 4 times already. the shop i used to work for i've seen many customer's toyota windshield crack.

 

I've had windshields replaced many, many times over the years, and I"ve never had a leak or other problem. Make sure that the shop uses OEM glass. PPG used to be excellent too, although I've heard that since they started making them in China, quality and fitment have dropped.

 

its not actually the cold weather at night that directly causes the crack to expand. temperature gradients can create internal stresses that help propagate cracks. you should take the windshield in for replacement asap since there is nothing you can do to prevent the crack from expanding, although it may appear that the crack is expanding very slowly or not at all. driving the car, high temperatures, and internal stresses will all make the windshield all but useless in a short matter of time. mind you its also dangerous...but eh...

 

hmmm, every once in a while I hear a pop from the Passenger side of the window, where it meets the dash... I wonder if I should worry.

 

Well the crack would be right behind where my hand would go on my steering wheel. So as long as I have my hand on the wheel I shouldn't be able to see it (the smudge that is). I'm assuming it was a rock that hit it just from the way it looks. Do you guys think the dealership can fix that?
It's about 1/2" long from end to end.

 

time to clear bra the windshield

 

That looks very much like an impact mark. In other words, something hit the windshield. That being said, you really don't have to worry about that... it happens. As long as you don't get any spidering and it's not in your direct line of sight, it's fine.

 

As for cosmetic purposes, can anything be done about that?

 

Never had the need to do this myself, so attempt at your own risk:

http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/artic...ticle_id=60152

 

My boss has done several of these DIY repairs (with different brand kits), and the results are okay but nowhere near as good as the professionals like Glass Doctor and Safelite do. Lots of insurance policies will waive the comprehensive deductible for windshield repair (as opposed to replacement), so it may pay to let a pro do it.

 

Yes, the pros will be able to inject an acrylic into the crack to stop it from expanding...and fill the rest with a resin to fill in any divot the crack/impact mark leaves. I've used Safelite in the past and they successfully did this type of operation on my IS.