Windshield cracked

[Glenn_Law]

I got a chip in my windshield that quickly became a crack. The crack is generally vertical and extends from the bottom of the windshield up to about 1/2 or 2/3 the height of the windshield. I don't know if the chip/crack can be repaired, or if I'll need a new windshield.

Any advice on how to make sure it gets fixed right?

My insurance is USAA. My 4R is a 2011 LE.

 

[Hellamatic]

Can't fix the crack - chips need to be fixed immediately to mitigate the formation of a crack. If a crack forms, it's too late, unfortunately.

 

[Jtraskell]

What Hellamatic said. I will add that you should do a search here for a thread which knowledgeable folks have suggested the best glass manufacturers. I am not a fan of the OEM glass. I think it is a bit "too soft". Chips and cracks aside, I actually have scratches on my windshield. I have never had a windshield that one can scratch......without trying. When the light hits it just right, I can see the scratches and it is fairly annoying.

Point is, I would suggest that when you go to the glass shop, request a windshield from on of the more reputable after market manufacturers, PPG maybe. Be Safe.

 

[Davemon]

I just got mine replaced with some Pilkington glass, which seems to be highly regarded on this forum (do a search). But I got smart after my first chip, and got full glass coverage through my insurance company. So the replacement was free, and seems to be holding up much better so far than the OEM glass. Time will tell, though.

 

[Kraeken]

I never thought there was a difference in quality between different types of windshield glass. My windshield is completely covered with little dings and speckles from the road.

I had to have my XJ's windshield replaced once, and the replacement (Safelite) always creaked when it was cold. Bad installation maybe?

I have USAA also. Will they raise rates if you make a glass claim?

Sorry for the hijack...

 

[Pensacola33]

I have USAA too. I called them up, they had Safelite come out to my driveway a few days later(convenient with my schedule) and fix it, no charge. They also have a lifetime guarantee. Also, if you're not totally satisfied with the chip repair, you can still opt for replacement of the windshield. Good luck! eace:

 

[bluebullet]

I have USAA as well. I had my cracked w/s replaced last summer. I called Safelite to make certain they ordered the correct windshield (heated on the TE). They had it the next day and installed it in and hour and a half-did an excellent job. Your rates will not change. My cost was $100. USAA covered the remainder (about $350). Both USAA and Safelite are top notch companies.

 

[Boaz]

I don't know what it is about toyota vehicles, but I seem to replace windshields like crazy in them.
My 93 pickup got 2 while I owned it, my 2004 4-runner got 3, my 2011 Tundra was on its second when I traded it in on the 4 Runner, and now the damned 4 runner has two chips in it.

Is it something with the OEM glass? I dunno. Safelite always patches them up or replaces them with no issues.

 

[Glenn_Law]

Thank you all for the replies. Looks like I'm going to do the USAA-Safelite special. I've mixed success with Safelite. They did fine on my wife's Lexus ES-350 (glorified Camry) but they messed up the headliner in my old Ford Exploder. I wasn't worried about the Exploder because it already had one tire in the junkyard at that point. I will make sure my beloved 4R gets fixed right.

Glenn

 

[aviators]

Yup, cracks cannot be repaired. I had a rock hit my windshield a few weeks ago driving on the freeway and the chip was about the size of a quarter. :crybaby: Went through insurance (Allstate, via Safelite) and had the local glass company come out and meet me to see if it can be repaired. Because of the size of the chip and the location (driver-side line-of-sight), the rep recommended replacement. Also, road contamination in the chip was present (coloration in the chip looks like oil/gas in water) so filling the chip was not a good option.

So, I scheduled a replacement. Because I didn't have an enclosed area they can work in, I had to bring my 2011 LE to their shop. The Pilkington glass looks good and was a little over $500, including labor. It's good I only had to pay my $100 deductible, but it's still $. I asked and OEM glass is over $1K. Replacement took 1 hour, but my truck had to sit parked for another hour to cure before I could drive it away. No high pressure car washes for several days. Work is guaranteed for as long as I own my vehicle. Comprehensive claims (glass-only damage, hitting an animal, etc.) do not affect your insurance rates, at least not with Allstate and the insurance company I used to work for.

 

[fraggy]

The glass shop that replaced my 2011 LE windshield said that FJs and 4Runner have a reputation for frequent windshield breakage. I noticed pitting in mine is less that a year. They also told me that most insurance companies will install an OEM within the first year of ownership. There is a very big difference in price. I would love to hear of a brand that is more durable, that is lasts at least 20,000 highway miles without pitting.

 

[wxxiong]

Here is the old thread with good information:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/96197-my-windshield-cracked-today.html