I cracked the windshield washing the car. Ugh.

Post by **matthew1** » 29 Jul 2010, 10:31

Cold water from the garden hose on hot glass. V70 R. It cracked when the water hit it, I wasn't even thinking about this, but I know it happens. Stupid.

The cracks are long, about 4 of them, up/down/left/right. Ugh.

Post by **JRL** » 29 Jul 2010, 11:43

Still shouldn't happen but Matt, you know (anyone) should know that you're not supposed to wash a hot car, (bad for the paint) you're supposed to let the paint cool down

Post by **matthew1** » 29 Jul 2010, 12:03

Duly noted. I wasn't washing it actually, just spray down before going out on the town to look good, but I know that probably doesn't matter.

What made me feel good is complaining to a friend about my broken windshield, and hearing that he's done it twice

.

Post by **JRL** » 29 Jul 2010, 12:32

Oh it happens and not just by washing the car.
For some strange reason many P2 windshields have cracked for no good reason

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 29 Jul 2010, 12:37

My friend cracked the windsheild in his 01 s40 this past winter when he had the defroster on and someone dumped a bunch of snow on it. The worst I've done so far is get a small chip from a rock.

Post by **IVIUSTANG** » 29 Jul 2010, 14:21

Our van was a centre piece in a water fight once and it was so hot that chunks of cubed glass even ended up on the dash just from the water; intense!

- Jesse

billr99 · Post by **billr99** » 31 Jul 2010, 14:29

Ever since they have used airbags, the windshield and back glass have been stressed members of the chassis. Back in the good old days, the screens were simply held in with a rubber surround that allowed a bit of movement between the chassis and the screen. Easy to replace too. I once actually saw a SAAB rear glass which was installed with a surround get blown clean out of the car by the simultaneous closing of both doors with their windows full up. Now the screens are glued in with a fairly rigid urethane-based adhesive. So with the screen in that tight with no movement allowed, it is no wonder that thermal stress would affect the glass. I've also heard of situations where the screen, when not installed correctly, cracked when the car when driven over a bump. Again, because of the built-in rigidity (or stress) of the glass. I have had two Volvo screens (850 and a V70) crack totally across them after a stone hit due to subsequent chassis flex that in my opinion would have just been a nick in the glass back in the good old days. Probably something we just have to watch out for because of the way cars are built now. The good thing is that the chassis are a lot more rigid which translates into better handling (at least in theory). Or at least you can open a door and close it again if you have one corner of the car jacked up. Try that in a Gen 2 Camaro!

Cheers,

Bill