Cracked Wiindshield

Zonie · **Posted:** Sun Jul 16, 2006 2:37 pm

I took a my CRD on a light off road trip yesterday and somewhere along the line, my windshield developed a vertical crack that started on the bottom of the drivers side. Clearly there is no chip mark and the crack began below where the glass is visible. Might this be a result of some body torque and/or the absence of a gasket from the factory as mentioned in another thread? Warranty issue, yes?

0311_DoC · **Posted:** Sun Jul 16, 2006 7:05 pm

I would sure like to know as well, I have the same thing :evil:

GilaMonster · **Posted:** Sun Jul 16, 2006 8:01 pm

Zonie wrote:

I took a my CRD on a light off road trip yesterday and somewhere along the line, my windshield developed a vertical crack that started on the bottom of the drivers side. Clearly there is no chip mark and the crack began below where the glass is visible. Might this be a result of some body torque and/or the absence of a gasket from the factory as mentioned in another thread? Warranty issue, yes?

Reading the warranty supplement booklet due to a different thread, I saw a section that states the windshield is under warranty for the first 12 months or 12K miles. I'd take it to them and not mention the off-roading part.

Taz · **Posted:** Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:57 pm

Most likely a defect at the edge of the glass that started the crack, they should replace it under warranty for the first 12 months or 12,000 miles.

jakemoore · **Posted:** Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:58 am

I have the same thing but it looks like a rock hit it just under the wipers. Do you think it will still be covered? I never thought to ask.

Zonie · **Posted:** Sun Jul 23, 2006 12:30 pm

After washing the mud, bugs and dust off the car and looking more closely, I found a pin head size chip under the wiper arm. Never mind warrantiy, it's State Farm time. What started as a 4" north-south crack has now turned east 3" Question now is: Do all competent auto glass companies know to add the gasket that was left out at manufacture?

irunmiles · **Posted:** Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:51 pm

I also need to have my cracked windshield replaced. What's this missing gasket that you speak of?

RFCRD · **Posted:** Mon Jul 24, 2006 12:33 am

irunmiles wrote:

I also need to have my cracked windshield replaced. What's this missing gasket that you speak of?

It's actually not missing a gasket. This is refering to the lack of a trim piece across the top of the glass. Many European cars (especially German) are built the same way, more a frameless window styling thing than anything else.

vtdog · **Joined:** Fri Sep 30, 2005 11:27 am **Posts:** 640

When I had my windshield replaced last fall due to a rock hit, the tech (from a glass place, not jeep) remarked about the "missing" gasket on the top of all libertys. He estimated that it saved jeep about 2 cents per car by not using. He also said that the lack of gasket on the top would cause problems due to UV degradation of the windshield sealant, eventual water leakage, and in cold climates (like where I live) possible damage to vehicle due to ice expansion in crack.

He said that his company's main office has told all its locations nationwide to put a gasket on the top when replacing the liberty windshield. He did and I have to say, it does look more "finished".

irunmiles · **Posted:** Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:58 am

vtdog - what does the top gasket on your new windshield look like, is it hard black rubber-like to fill the space between the glass and roof edge? Or does it have a chrome finish with rubber to fill the void?

vtdog · **Joined:** Fri Sep 30, 2005 11:27 am **Posts:** 640

It is a "soft" rubber gasket that fills the void between the windshield and the body. I did not see it put on so I don't know if the glass is sandwiched inside the gasket, or if the gasket is just a gap filler.

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Mon Jul 24, 2006 10:30 am

Not to hijack a thread, but what is it with Liberty's and rocks in the windshield? I got my first one with about 1500 miles on it just going into the winter. It ran about 4" before I could get it fixed and stayed that way. I left it as it was not in my field of view and also figured that going into that time of year there might be another rock lurking out there waiting. I just had it replaced as cold water from the car wash on a hot day completed the run. It seems that I have seen lots of folks with broken windshields both here and at jeepKJ.com.

RFCRD · **Posted:** Mon Jul 24, 2006 10:56 am

Cowcatcher wrote:

Not to hijack a thread, but what is it with Liberty's and rocks in the windshield? I got my first one with about 1500 miles on it just going into the winter. It ran about 4" before I could get it fixed and stayed that way. I left it as it was not in my field of view and also figured that going into that time of year there might be another rock lurking out there waiting. I just had it replaced as cold water from the car wash on a hot day completed the run. It seems that I have seen lots of folks with broken windshields both here and at jeepKJ.com.

I think it's the upright angle of the glass. Real common on other vehicles with upright windshields such as OTR buses. I was lucky to get a year out of a windshields on a bus. Those are considered a disposable part and I bought them by the case. Just look how bugs splatter in a round spot, as opposed to a long streak as with my Impala.

grywlfbg · **Posted:** Mon Jul 24, 2006 11:09 am

RFCRD wrote:

I think it's the upright angle of the glass. Real common on other vehicles with upright windshields such as OTR buses. I was lucky to get a year out of a windshields on a bus. Those are considered a disposable part and I bought them by the case. Just look how bugs splatter in a round spot, as opposed to a long streak as with my Impala.

Yep, my Nissan pickup, Jeep Wrangler, and now Libbby have all gone through several windshields. Most of my damage seems to come from semis throwing up road debris. When I had my Wrangler I was on a first-name basis w/ the windshield repair guy. N now my Libby is due for a windshield. Just need to find the time to get it done.

vtdog · **Joined:** Fri Sep 30, 2005 11:27 am **Posts:** 640

Had the same problem with my tacoma P/U

Tom_with_a_Dream · **Posted:** Mon Jul 24, 2006 3:03 pm

I was not expecting a large improvement when I installed my bug deflector but I was wrong. The thing actually works nearly as well as the one on my '79 Bronco. Bug impact is probably 5-10% and the ones that do hit are almost always near the roof line and hit on an upward trajectory rather than the OEM full-face-plant. So many out there I see lay down so far I wonder if they actually work, ours does!

Still get the heavier rocks off the road, however.

MoLibertyCRD · **Posted:** Mon Jul 24, 2006 3:52 pm

Tom_with_a_Dream wrote:

I was not expecting a large improvement when I installed my bug deflector but I was wrong. The thing actually works nearly as well as the one on my '79 Bronco. Bug impact is probably 5-10% and the ones that do hit are almost always near the roof line and hit on an upward trajectory rather than the OEM full-face-plant. So many out there I see lay down so far I wonder if they actually work, ours does!

Still get the heavier rocks off the road, however.

What brand of bug deflector do you have? I bought the Lund, but noticed while I was looking at the local dealer that the Jeep ones are quite a bit taller. (Mine doesn't cover the Jeep letters on the hood, but the OEM did)

Tom_with_a_Dream · **Posted:** Mon Jul 24, 2006 4:18 pm

Exactly, I bought the Mopar deflector for the Liberty.
My model is smooth Lexan and has a textured Jeep logo on the one corner. The older model deflectors (or maybe for older model years, not sure) have the same Jep logo but in white.

Mine does lay back a bit but the bumper deals keep everything even and offf the paint at speed. The lip that secures the dfelctor to the hood only extends grill width. The headlight humps are free, except for the bumper deals, and air can (I guess) pass underneath at the headlights. The deflector stands tall enough that the Jeep hood-badge is nearly centered under the Lexan.

I think I paid $89, but don't quote me. Just make sure they order you a non-Renegade (well, unless you have a Rene) since the hoods are different.

onthehunt · **Posted:** Mon Jul 24, 2006 7:11 pm

I've got an oem one and it doesn't do a darn thing. The only thing it does is protect the hood from rock chips. You also have to drill two holes in the underside of the hood to install. I'm not impressed with it.It doesn't make any noise going down the road though.

Tom_with_a_Dream · **Posted:** Mon Jul 24, 2006 11:06 pm

Holes yes.

Bugs (90%) no.

I did put some OEM touch-up paint on the drilled holes... Maybe if I think it will make it better hard enough it actually will.
Sorry yours doesn't work...

Cracked Wiindshield

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