Craaaack... aka I got stoned somewhere!
Thursday, I replaced my windshield wiper blades. Friday I drove 40 miles to trim carpet on one of my projects. I took State Road 7, recently paved 6 lanes with a grassy median. I don't recall following any trucks or going through an area of road construction. Saturday I went to the model airfield and temperature in direct sunlight was high 90 with extreme UV index. On the way back home, I noticed something on the windshield partly blocked by my mirror. I thought it was some dry grass from the park. Then, I looked closer, it glistened in the sunlight. A stress crack about 3" long appeared in the outer layer of glass. Sunday, again at the park and the crack appeared to double in size making a small curve downward. Inspection showed a stone must have hit the glass right near the top next to the black area of the forward sensor.I phoned my insurance provider on Monday to report it. Probably most states have the same law where they will replace cracked windshields with no insurance deductible. Minutes after reporting the claim I was contacted by the company who services my area to do windshield replacement.
I was given 2 choices: After-market glass or OEM glass.
I asked if there is any difference and the answer was "Sometimes the lane assist camera/sensor doesn't work as well with after-market glass."
It's not on all models, they said and probably no difference on my car.
One catch. They have the after-market glass in stock and can do the job within 48 hours. The OEM glass comes directly from Toyota and takes 3 weeks.
Windshields are made with laminated glass and I believe this crack isn't in the danger zone. I've seen lots of cars with stress cracks like this... Unless you're driving around with expired insurance, who wouldn't want to have a cracked windshield fixed for free. Depending on the severity, I'm pretty sure you could be ticketed for faulty equipment if a policeman deems it so. Sometimes a simple thing like speeding can get them to write tickets for other things like an expired tag, bald tires or no seatbelts,
I've had this car less than a year and (unless something unexpected comes up) plan to keep it for at least 10 years. I owned/abused a Toyota Celica for 13 years and got around 220,000 miles on it. The Corolla with normal use should do better.
So I wait. Hey... it's only on the outer layer!
Every day I watch the progression of how the crack continues to grow. It's made a turn and running in the opposite direction from where it started. Adding up all the crack is more than 12 inches. Yesterday, I decided to put a mark at the end of the crack to measure it's daily travel. Not too hot today as it rained several times and the crack only grey 1/4 of an inch or about 6 millimeters.
The weather tomorrow should be more of the same, but I have to drive more than 100 miles to visit 2 projects. We shall see what happens to the crack.
The glass company told me if I cannot wait for the OEM glass, to call and they will install the after-market glass.
OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer
Comments (10)
If it were me, I'd give it a try. I believe that is what they use to repair cracks in windshields.
They drill a small hole in the glass and fill the crack with Crazy Glue. Of course, they would never let you know what the liquid they use is.
But, all long time ago, I looked at an "opportunity" to become one of the guys,
who goes around repairing windshields and I felt what it was.
Here's a $10 kit, that uses a "resin" to repair the chip with use of a syringe.
Here's a better, more thorough video;
There was a booth at the auto show for a guy who did 'on the spot' repairs in cracked windshields. I kinda doubt it was a viable business. Just like the cars with wrapped signage advertising they repair dents without paint. They don't last too long.
Years ago I worked for a company who manufactured store fixtures and did curved front (serpentine) display units for Lancome and Estee Lauder. They would fit the the top against the front piece and (using a syringe) inject a clear liquid glue. Through some type of capillary action the glue would form a perfect joint. At that point they would turn on the Ultra-Violet light and the glue would cure in a few seconds.
But rather, to attempt to slow the progress of the crack for the time necessary to get the appropriate replacement.
Yeah, I remember seeing that UV light glue being sold on TV late at night.
Ed - There's nothing wrong with being able to do multiple things.
In 2010 there was iclandic vulcano - no -flight and my crew awaited me in poland for our trip to italy ski. Well I jumped in my 1300 corolla and drove to Wroclaw in one go. Used about 4-5 litre oil but got there on time.
It's a good cruiser too even at speeds of 140-150.
A week passes and again we are on the schedule, however it's been raining on and off all week and the work is done outdoors.
I offered my 10' x 10' canopy but the equipment that holds the glass in place needs unrestricted height to lower the windshield in place. No can do.
They need a few hours without rain to replace the windshield and re-calibrate the sensors.
With a storm approaching, there is a good chance this will have to wait another week.
Worth the wait as the job is done and I cannot tell that anything was replaced.
No marks or scratches. The new windshield has Toyota factory markings.