SRX8

Mu 8 is still under 1000 miles, I got a crack on the windshiled from a small rock when I was driving home yestersday. What can I do now? Will it get any bigger in the future? And how much will it cost me to replcae the window?

Please advise.

Former A4'er

How big is it? If its small enough you can get it repaired usually for free. Your insurance will pay but waive the deductable.

Ericok

A "crack" shorter than a dollar bill in length can usually be fixed - but don't wait. It will start to grow. Anthing longer will probably need a new windshield. "Bullets" and "Stars" are also fixable. The trick is to get damage fixed as soon as possible. If dirt starts to get into the damaged area, it can't be fixed.

SilverStreak

I just had a windshield replaced. Check with your insurance company on the coverage and any deductables. The way mine went was they recorded the claim and contacted a glass repair shop (Safelite) that they work through. My insurance deductable for glass is $100, yours may be different. My carrier said if the windshield can be repaired without replacement (tyipcally smal chips/stone bruises) the deductable is waived and the repair is no charge to me. This way they prevent a small repair from becoming a full replacement cost. In my case it was a foot long crack, so they replaced the windshield. Safelite came to the house, installed the new windshield and I paid them the $100 on the spot. The paperwork showed that the total replacement was about $480. But it does not count as a chargeable repair that affects my insurance rate.

bascho

^ depending on your deductible, some glass companies will pay it for you to get the business and you will have no out-of-pocket cost. $100 deductibles are usually covered by the glass company.....$250 deductible........almost never. Check around......don't just pick the first glass company you talk to.

SRX8

I think it is like one inch, so is it fixable? If so, where can I get it fxed? i am from the bay area, CA.

Thx in advance.

Go48

Check with any auto glass company. If they don't do that kind of repair, they can tell you who does. Don't wait, though, a one inch crack is marginal for repair. Anything any larger than a quarter is not repairable. At least that's what a glass repair service told me when I got a ding in my windshield.

stickman

Keep in mind, even the best repair will still leave a small blemish. It also depends on where the crack is as to how likely it is to be repairable. The glass shop will be able to guide you on this. These days the windshield is typically a structural part of the car in that they are glued on and assist in the structural rigidity of the car. Years ago they were sealed but were not actually involved in the structural rigidity.

tjbourgoyne

An inch is huge. It depends if the crack has "legs" on it . if it does it can't be fixed. if you have to pay your deductable try a junk/parts yard first. if you use a glass company most of them can come to your work/home to fix it. make sure if it is fixable the window is cool before they even try.

SRX8

Yes, it does have legs, and including the legs, it is about one inch long.

Sigh....

Go48

If you can cover it with a quarter and it is not in a bad sight line, they can probably fix it, but like I said, do it now or it may grow beyond the size that they can repair.

tjbourgoyne

once it has legs it's pretty much gone. what they do is drill a small hole and fill it with a rubber compound. the compound can't get in the legs and they continue to grow.

yiksing

Don't let water gets in the cracks, when they dried, its too late to repair the windshield.

SRX8

Thx for the hints, will take it to the glass shop once the rain has stopped.

Revolver

I've had a couple of small 'bullets' or 'stars' in my windshield for some time now.

They are in the very top corners of the screen (on each side - matching, yay - NOT ).

I've been told they're not repairable. However, neither have gotten any larger and they're not in my sightline (nor my passenger's) so I've just left them.

If and when they get any bigger (doubtful now - they've been there for about a year), I'll replace the screen.

tjbourgoyne

No point in replacing the glass if it's not repairable as long as it doesn't impair your vision.
I have had one for over a year that hasn't enlarged. When it is time to replace it i'll be looking in a salvage yard. It's way cheaper than going through the insurance and they are easy to install.

Revolver

That's what I figured.

After I got the first one I was keen to replace it on the old 'keep the car looking perfect' theory. However, not a month later I got the second one and decided not to bother.

I like to keep it looking good but you need to compromise on some minor stuff or you'd just go crazy replacing and repairing after every little ding and scratch.

yiksing

Normally I just mixed some clear epoxy resin if its just some small ding to hide it

SRX8

Got a quote from the shop, it costs about $260 to replace it.

BlueEyes

Welcome to car ownership.