Windshield keeps cracking. Normal or installation error?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by dlstruck, Jun 19, 2017.

  1. dlstruck

    dlstruck Medium Load Member

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    Got 2 brand new windshields installed and they both cracked within a month or two. Can't see any rock chips, just looks like it cracked on its own somehow. Got them replaced and same thing happened again within months. The last place screwed in these plastic holding things for the windshield to sit on while the seal dries. Was I supposed to take them out? Could the clips cause the cracks?

    It's an 03 Columbia but I don't have any weird or excessive vibrations. Tires are fairly new and balanced, 6 new shocks installed last year, and driveline was rebuilt and balanced as well. It's probably as smooth as a freightliner can get lol. Mostly on road driving with occasional gravel roads.
     
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  3. boneebone

    boneebone Road Train Member

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    It seems highly unusual for a windshield to crack under the conditions you described.

    Where was the glass made?

    Alot of the glass available now is Made in China, even though Glass Shops claim they are the same quality as OEM. I find it hard to believe as I believe they are not made the same as OEM.

    I had my windshield replaced a few times using Glass Shop Glass and from my experience I found out when a rock hit the windshield, it was more prone to cracking vs. chipping.

    I switched to OEM Glass from the Stealership and rocks have hit my windshield and left a chip, but never a crack.
     
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2017
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  4. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    I would say both windshields came from the same batch of glass and the whole lot is no good.
     
  5. Jazz1

    Jazz1 Road Train Member

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    Likely installer issue. Any chip on perimeter of windshield can begin to crack and yes a clip or screw could cause this.
     
  6. dlstruck

    dlstruck Medium Load Member

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    I'm guessing the glass has something do do with it. It was $150 per side installed so probably not the top quality.
     
  7. boneebone

    boneebone Road Train Member

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    I was replacing my Made in China Glass at least once a year for cracks, when I switched to OEM Glass, about eight years ago, I only replaced it twice for pitting due to wind and sandstorms.

    They had rock chips in them, but no cracks.
     
  8. beemergary

    beemergary Light Load Member

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    Had one replaced and they left a piece of glass which caused the glass to crack from outside in. Went back and they were out of business. Some old cars the glass is setting on little rubber blocks-not plastic.
     
  9. Smellfunny

    Smellfunny Road Train Member

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    Freightliner Century glass area needs to be cleaned really well. They may not be cleaning the area good enough. One of the trucks we used to run would always leak. Then I found a new dealer that cleaned the mounting surface area really well.

    Side story..

    I ran the overhead on a guy's International one weekend and when I took his cowl off I noticed a bolt missing. When I finished I had a bolt in my tray that would work but it only went halfway in. When I tried to get it out it would not come out so I pry on the bottom and it barely hit the windshield. crack... I talked to the guy (we are friends) and told him about the SC windshield law (no deductible on windshields) I called the guy's insurance and they said they would cover it but he told me they did not. It was exactly the amount of the overhead. humm. So it was a wash. Since then I still work on the guy's truck but he has had to put multiple windshields in for various damages from road trash. I think it might be karma. It's all good. No meals missed.
     
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