Big old crack in my windshield

[Mebot]

Noticed it yesterday morning as I was about to pull away. At first i thought it was a twig or something lying on the windshield since we had storms come thru the night before

Nope, big old crack starting the top right above the drivers side area and then branches off into two smaller cracks running horizontally across the windshield.

Don't think it was a rock or anything hit it. But it has been extremely hot and humid here (northern Virginia) the past couple of weeks. I think it might be a stress related fracture. I usually put a sun visor up in my window, but i don't crack my windows so it's possible just too much heat had built up and something had to give.

I'll post pictures in a little bit, but now I have to go and contact a glass company and try to get it repaired (hopefully insurance will be able to cover it). I need to get it fixed soon because I don't know what the structural composition is of windows and how bad it's been compromised. Also, I don't want to get a ticket. I just passed my safety inspection last month.

[CBT]

I feel your pain, I'm on my second windshield. We have seagulls around here that snatch oysters and crabs at low tide around the bridges and then fly up in the air and drop them on the road to bust them open. They do not care if you happen to be driving by. Friggin' flying rats....

[Haggis]

That sucks Ryan....go here Safelite (http://www.safelite.com/)

[RF Overlord]

I had Safelite do the windscreen in The Blackbird a few years ago...was very satisfied not only with the cost but with the quality of their service.

[Haggis]

I had Safelite do the windscreen in The Blackbird a few years ago...was very satisfied not only with the cost but with the quality of their service.

Thanks Bob for the fix. We had Chris's windshield fixed in NH before the meet last year. And after they replaced it it was like driving with no window it was so clear and clean; until after the first bug splat.

[SMOKE]

Is there a special part number to watch out for on these things? I seem to remember a discussion regarding glass w/ the dot matrix around the edge and a non dot matrix windshield...

I took a hell of a shot on the way to Carlisle and if the chip can't be fixed it'll just be a matter of time before it starts to spider off (the shot was that hard core...one of those slow motion deals where you see the object zinging towards you and you flinch)....

Best,
Jonathan

[MM2004]

Is there a special part number to watch out for on these things? I seem to remember a discussion regarding glass w/ the dot matrix around the edge and a non dot matrix windshield...

I took a hell of a shot on the way to Carlisle and if the chip can't be fixed it'll just be a matter of time before it starts to spider off (the shot was that hard core...one of those slow motion deals where you see the object zinging towards you and you flinch)....

Best,
Jonathan

I never could get a part number when mine was replaced.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=48778

Pay attention to post #14.

My replacement was a CarLite. An exact match.

:cool:

Mike.

[Bluerauder]

I have had really good luck with the SAFELITE experience too. My insurance company coordinates it directly and arranges to have them come out to my work or home. Generally done in 30 minutes or less and they know how to transfer all the stickers too.

Haven't had to do this yet on the Marauder; but figure I am on borrowed time in the Northern Virginia area with all the construction work, dump trucks and gravel.

I suspect that you caught a small ding earlier and the heat expansion (or contraction) forced the issue. If you had a weakness anywhere in the windshield like a small hairline "star" crack and added a fairly rapid hot/cool or cool/hot cycle, it tends to stress the area and aggravate even small issues. There had to be a flaw somewhere if there was no noticeable hit with a rock or debris.

I had this happen several years ago in cold weather. Had been wearing a 1/8 inch ding for 6 months that never got any bigger. When hot air from the defroster started to blow on an ice and snow covered windshield, it started to slowly rip from the passenger side to the drivers edge. It sounded just like paper ripping. That cold to hot cycle just accelerated that small problem into a big one really quickly.

[SMOKE]

I never could get a part number when mine was replaced.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=48778

Pay attention to post #14.

My replacement was a CarLite. An exact match.

:cool:

Mike.

Thanks for the history lesson! :)

Best,
Jonathan

[Mebot]

Thanks for the info guys. I'll check out Safelite tomorrow at work. Didn't have a chance to research today but I took some pictures when I was home

I've attached pictures of the windshield outside and then some interior shots so you get an idea of what I'm looking at when I'm driving:

[Mebot]

I have had really good luck with the SAFELITE experience too. My insurance company coordinates it directly and arranges to have them come out to my work or home. Generally done in 30 minutes or less and they know how to transfer all the stickers too.

Haven't had to do this yet on the Marauder; but figure I am on borrowed time in the Northern Virginia area with all the construction work, dump trucks and gravel.

I suspect that you caught a small ding earlier and the heat expansion (or contraction) forced the issue. If you had a weakness anywhere in the windshield like a small hairline "star" crack and added a fairly rapid hot/cool or cool/hot cycle, it tends to stress the area and aggravate even small issues. There had to be a flaw somewhere if there was no noticeable hit with a rock or debris.

I had this happen several years ago in cold weather. Had been wearing a 1/8 inch ding for 6 months that never got any bigger. When hot air from the defroster started to blow on an ice and snow covered windshield, it started to slowly rip from the passenger side to the drivers edge. It sounded just like paper ripping. That cold to hot cycle just accelerated that small problem into a big one really quickly.
I believe your prognosis is most likely the correct one. Because I only moved my car from the driveway to the street on Saturday and there was nothing there. Woke up Sunday morning and here's a 15 inch crack. I don't suspect foul play or vandalism.... yet. I mean I live in a relatively quiet and peaceful neighborhood. I'm sure it was just stress induced.

What sucks though, is that ever since I rolled over 100k miles, I'm getting hit with these little "inconveniences" that would've been covered by my extended warranty and now it's not. I mean, everything was working fine. I kinda was hoping something would conk out before I hit 100k so i could use my Extended Warranty, but nope. And of course, Murphys Law in effect now. I have my air compressor starting to go and now my windshield.

WTFH4X

[88LTDCV351]

Safelite doesn't carry Carlite. Go to Carlite's website for a list of local vendors.

[SID210SA]

I got mine replaced last year just before my inspection since I had trouble passing the year before, my windshield looked almost exactly like yours does. They tried saying it was in my line of view....but the guy who was doing my inspection put the seat all the way up (raised seat bottom as high as it would go and seat back straight up) and moved the seat foward. I told them I dont sit like that and the way I do sit it would only be in my line of site if I were looking for airplanes.

Then they tried to say that because the crack was more than 1/4" thick they would not pass it.....it was only as thick as a razor blade.....I told them to show me the book where it said that.....then had to explain to them that thickness is not the same as length. Finally I asked for the manager for a second opinion and he came out, took one look and said pass it....then the tech is like...but look!!....The manager said again....its fine, pass it!! Needless to say the tech was a little upset that not only the customer told him he was wrong but then manager to back up the customer!!

Any way....didnt want to go through all that again so I had it replaced and cost me less than 2 bills installed. (I think the total was $176.00 for a carlite windshield)

Mike

[MM2004]

When I noticed the damage to my windshield, I contacted my Insurance Co. and they gave me names of 3 businesses they recommend to do the replacement.

I was also told my rates will not increase so much as a penny for the claim.

Made a phone call, had the repairs done and badda-bing; badda-boom.

;)

Mike.

[gdsqdcr]

I recently changed my insurance company and not long after, the window on the Marauder was cracked. The insurance company sent out Safelight and all is good now. I have had safelight replace the windshield in the truck and glue the window in the Accord.

Great company!