Windshield crack

[chipy]

hi guys

my first time posting to the garage. i own a 2003 sentra spec-v and just recently noticed a crack in the windshield. it's a "J-shaped" crack. i'm going to take it to an auto glass repair shop as well as my dealership to have it looked at and get estimates on fixing it.

i was wondering if you guys could take a look at my pictures. i live in Pennsylvania and the weather does get cold this time of year so that's what i'm thinking. it's not garaged. in the pictures you might be able to tell that the crack starts at the base of the windshield where it meets the roof and it goes underneath some stickers i have on the windshield. any thoughts on the cause or how much to fix it would be apreciated.

Pic 1
Pic 2
Pic 3
Pic 4

thanks - chipy

p.s. sorry the pics don't show the crack too well... i know, i need a polarizer on my camera.

 

[daw123]

I have had a look at the photos and you will need a new windscreen, due to the cracks size and it being so close to the edge of the windscreen.

The below webpage (from one of the main windscreen companies in the UK) gives some guidance on what can and cannot be repaired.
http://www.autoglass.co.uk/Repair-or-replace.213.0.html

The problem you may have is that a crack in laminated glass can creep (i.e. the crack will get bigger with time / varying weather conditions), so if you leave it, it may get worse.

Most insurance companies provide replacement windscreen cover - you only have to pay the excess (usually about £75 in the UK).

The last time I had a windscreen replaced, it wasn't through my insurance - it cost me £210, although the cost of the windscreen obviously varies from car to car.

 

[chipy]

daw123, thanks for your response and the insightful website. it looks like i may have to get the whole thing replaced... safety is important. thanks!

 

[Jahee]

You need a windscreen, the general rule i think is if its about an inch in size it can be repaired..

I had a crack in my windscreen about an inch in size, within a couple of weeks it grew to about 10 inches and just kept getting worse.. At that size its classed as unroadworthy here in England too.. Not sure about the US.

 

[CrackRabbit]

It will be ok to drive with it for now, but it might fail inspection the next time its due (I saw you live in TX).
Only way to fix it is to replace the entire windshield, make sure you save your registration and inspection stickers so that you can get new ones.

 

[imported_Imp]

I broke my family car's windshield when I was a kid. It was winter, freezing and I was banging on the glass while taunting someone outside. Th small, couple inch crack became over a foot long during the ride home from the shock caused by all the bumps on the road. I wouldn't risk driving with it.

 

[bamx2]

Replacement windshields for common vehicles are remarkably inexpensive 100-150 installed and they do it a t your location.

 

[chipy]

thanks for all the replies guys. it seems that the consensus is to replace it and i'll go talk to the auto glass people tomorrow or Monday. do you know if it takes more than a day to do the whole windshield/screen?

 

[bctbct]

Glass places usually say they can fix it if it is smaller than a $1 bill- 6"

 

[sdifox]

Glass cannot be fixed, you can only contain the crack from expanding.

you also need to change your ID. You are just asking for stone chip.

 

[imported_weadjust]

Originally posted by: chipy
thanks for all the replies guys. it seems that the consensus is to replace it and i'll go talk to the auto glass people tomorrow or Monday. do you know if it takes more than a day to do the whole windshield/screen?

Shouldn't take more than an hour or two at the most. Some places will come to your home or work and replace the windshield. You can still drive the car with a cracked windshied. I live in Mississippi and we have alot of gravel roads so every car I have owned has had cracks in the windshield. My 2006 F-150 has a 2 ft long crack in the middle of the windshield going from the bottom upwards. Its been like that for at least a year.