question about cracked windshield

[MushyMushy]

Where are you guys finding these cheap windshields??? Ours is going to cost $500 to replace (it's a heated windshield), most of which will be eaten up by our deductible.

I know it sounds bad, but we just drive with a cracked windshield until we're forced to replace it come inspection time. We don't do a lot of highway driving, though. If we were going to drive as far as Florida, we'd replace it first or make sure we have enough extra money to buy another if it got worse on our trip.

 

[Disney Doll]

As far as the glass falling in if a rock hits it, your neighbor is incorrect as Windshields are made of safety glass and are designed not to shatter.

Tell that to the windshield that shattered into a million pieces in my lap when a truck backed into me. The auto body repair guys were pretty amazed that it shattered like it did since it, too, was safety glass designed not to shatter.

I picked minscule glass shards out of the front seat of my car for months, and for the rest of the time I owned that car, every once in a while a glass shard would rise to the surface and poke me in the butt.

 

[clh2]

I would also check with your insurance. Our glass coverage has a $50 dedcutable for windshield replacemnt, and if they can "fix" it, there is no out of pocket.

The thing I would be concerned about going to Florida - is the temperature. With the windshield issues I've had, things seem to get worse when there a rehuge termperature differences, i.e. outside hot, inside cold due to the AC.

Good Luck!
clh2

 

[Miz Diz]

OP needs to call their insurance company and ask about their coverage and if there is a deductible. What insurance covers and whether the deductible is waived or not varies from state to state.

The price of replacing the windshield varies greatly depending on the type of vehicle. I have seen windshields cost $500 and up. If the crack is larger than a quarter, I don't think they can repair it - it will have to be replaced.

 

[JessicaR]

My Husband who's owned a repair shop for the last 30 years is replying to you.

A windshield is made of 2 pieces of glass laminated to a thick sheet of clear plastic that's in the middle. When broken it stays together, only letting small thin splinters fall off where the cracks open. It will not fall out and into your lap no mater how fast you go. the only thing that can happen is if something big and heavy hits it with enough force it can go through the plastic, but if that happened it would not make a difference if it was cracked already.

The crack has no effect on the structural integrity of stopping something like that from happening. The only thing cracks do are spread, even then if it went completely across the same rules applies. I have never seen one cracked just on the inside or outside.

As far as getting it repaired, only stars or stone shots can be fixed not cracks. This is done by filling the void or air pocket of the missing piece of glass with a special clear epoxy. Don't sweat it, it will be fine. As far as it being legal, in NY Here is the Rule:
The following is from NYS DMV Inspection Rules And Regulations Form CR79 Section 79-21 part F

http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/forms/cr79.pdf

Cracks
2. Inspect windshield and other windows for
cracks or sharp edges.
Reject If
2. Windshield or other window is broken or
has exposed sharp or jagged edges.
Windshield Only:
Any "star" larger than 3 inches in diameter is
located in any area of the windshield. There
is a crack more than 11 inches long, any part
of which extends into the path of the
windshield wiper(s)