Looking for a cracked windshield expert

Had a new windshield installed and within a month a large crack is back. Took it to safelite and they say there is a tiny impact from a rock so no warranty. Wouldn’t you expect that a new windshield could withstand a very small rock hit? Doesn’t that imply that this new windshield is ‘weak’ - or bad install? The original lasted through a lot more (and way bigger) rock hits than this.

 

Rocks and glass don’t mix. New or old.

 

This

 

It's going to be tough to make a warranty claim. Maybe if you call customer service, you'll be able to get a discount on a replacement.

Instead, consider biting the bullet and going to the shop where your local high-end dealers, such as Audi, MB, & BMW send their cars for glass. That's the type of shop to use.

 

You'll never be able to prove you theories or questions. move on. It's all about angles of impact! As small as I am I still make a huge impact!

 

Windshield expert here. Freshly installed glass should be able to take the impact from any rock, large or small, for 6 months from install date. If it cracks before 6 months it was either a weak windshield or improper install.

After 6 months though the smallest of rocks can break one.

 

When you say "a large crack is back" are you implying that there was a similar crack in the same location before? I am no expert, but if it is a crack that goes from one edge of the glass to the another edge, I would say there is a good possibility that it could be the result of a poor install or a flawed mounting surface. I wouldn't think a small pebble-sized rock would cause a large crack, especially if it was so small that you didn't notice the impact when it happened or noticed a chip after it happened. I have had a pretty good sized chip in my windshield for the past couple years and it has yet to crack. I saw it hit the windshield; definitely noticed it. It was probably the size of a marble, and left a chip about the size of a pencil eraser. I would at least try to get a second opinion, especially if you can't easily see a chip or impact that may have started a crack. Any pics?

 

Man, I was gonna make a joke and just comment "safelight repair, safelite replace" but it looks like they won't. So much for that commercial... sounds about right though. Whatever is being advertised, do the exact opposite. Cuz some executive needs a new vacation home and your windshield isn't important.... just sayin...

That said, I've had safelite replace glass on my previous F150 3 times! I always thought it was a structural thing but every time they came out they replaced it, for free (back when insurance covered it without raising premiums). They must be getting stingy. They probably didn't care with mine because USAA covered it. Honestly makes no sense that they wouldn't replace it or repair it. But I agree, it seemed like every windshield they used was cheap. Always cracked in the same location, but the weird thing was it never did it until a rock hit the windshield (which is very common in Montana). I didn't care. If they replaced it, then it didn't matter.

Ok Connor Mcgregor.

 

I call BS

EDIT: I failed to draw my attention to the word “should.” I accept your statement as valid but not worthy in court or any legal argument.

 

Probably weak windshield.
Before NY I took a rock on a freeway. Almost 1" big. Was not able to repair for 2 weeks due to weather. Glad it did not crack.
Actually repair at Safelite.

 

It doesn't always take much for a chip to result in a small crack. Expose the small crack to temperature extremes - i.e. single digit temps outside and defroster full blast inside - and it's gonna continue to grow. Happened to my '06. If your insurance covers glass replacement, why worry?

 

We need to science this theory out before you call bs

 

I fixed it.

 

I still wanna do the science

 

No local high end dealers. True.

 

I've had large rocks and objects bounce off no problem, and what appeared small objects instantly crack brand new, nearly new, old windshields,,, luck of the draw.

 

No insurance

 

This sounds crazy. What changes after 6 months? Not saying your wrong, I'm just curious.

 

Like, at all? Or is your deductible just too high?

 

Original glass lasted 20 years. Multiple rock hits. This time 1 month and a super small almost invisible ding and big crack( half way vertically) and they say no - not even reduced cost?? I know - lots of variables including low temps but to me it sounds like
Low quality glass or bad install contributed to the crack.