The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Windshield crack

I've got a crack about 10" long on the bottom of the passenger side of my windshield. It comes up about 6", and then angles towards the other side of the truck. Is there any way to keep it from spreading? Replacing the whole thing would be great, but cash flow definately isn't going to allow for that. I'd really just like to keep it from spreading. My thought was to drill a tiny hole at the end. Any thoughts?

I had that happen to a car I had once. The glass
guy told me that they have to be replaced. He
said they might not spread for a long time or it
could just go all of a sudden. You just never
know. Of course he was probably trying to sell
me glass too. Not sure on that one. I do know
that here in Ca. it is illegal to have any crack
in the windshield. Driver or passenger side, no
matter, you get a ticket.

It takes a special drill bit to drill glass, so you are going to be spending money anyway you look at it. Personally, I don't see it. If you drill a hole at the end of a crack in metal it has some effect on ending the crack. But in safety plate glass? I don't think so, maybe a case for the Mythbusters

If you drill this hole the plastic between the glass will be exposed inviting MORE air to get between the glass layers and causing more cracks.

I think your best bet is to say a prayer.

I have one on my wifes Windstar Van, it showed up about six inches long six four months ago. We were heading off on a 5600 mile vacation* and I just didn't want to buy a new windshield before the trip to beat up out in the desert and such. So I said that prayer, it lasted until just this past week when I put on the defroster and the crack lengthened another six four inches or so. It will have to be replaced soon, but it is still far out of my field of vision so I will let it go a while longer.

*I was in your neck of the woods, went thru Pea Ridge battle ground, and spent four days in Altus/Ozark area. You have a wonderful state, I really enjoyed it. Nice people too!

Yeah, I didn't really think about the safety glass part. I might swing by the glass shop and see what they say. Glad you like NWA! The land of chickens and Wal-mart! It's actually a really great place to live...

A friend of mine who worked in a glass shop once told me that if you score the glass just at the crack on both sides that it shouldn't spread any more. Good luck

Oh yeah, use a razor blade

tap on it make it crack to the edge then it wont crack anymore it will turn white over time