Winshield Crack!

Alfonso · #1 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006, 06:17 AM

Many post referred problems with BDR winshields......alum vs Brass...etc and many broken glasses...... Are this problem solved in last BDRs??

Thanks

Cashburn · #2 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006, 08:34 AM

That was a run of bad windshields, it happens more often than you would imagine with glass manufacturers. We have sent cars to tough environments and they break everything but the windshields

sssnot · #3 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006, 09:37 AM

Could much of that been caused by folks grabbing the upper corner of the windshield to swing themselves into the car?

uncltodd · #4 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006, 10:39 AM

NEVER let youself into a BackDraft, or any other Cobra, using the windscreen!

A Cobra ain't my Mustang vert, the windscreen is there for... wind! Not for grabbing!

Drop yourself in by your feet on the floorboard and hands on the rear cowl and just behind the door. From either side, when your a$$ hits the seat, you know you are home.

Hey, it's a race car with turn signals and brakelights.

Sometimes.

My windscreen broke vertically, top to bottom, in 3 places before the engine was even installed.

Mine was build #139, early 2004, I understand that the windshield contractor has been replaced.

(I can't help but wonder what that means in South Africa, 2004...)

Stay with Jay.

UT

Alfonso · #5 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006, 12:44 PM

Nice to know that problem is solved! I received a mail from shipper....though that tomorrow they are picking up the car......Good new!

Thanks

ROUSHAC · #6 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006, 02:28 PM

Alfonso,

I have driven BDR #228 over some VERY rough roads due to detours for construction that couldn't be avoided. In fact, one road that I couldn't avoid was so rough that I was expecting the windshield to crack, and it didn't.

So far no problems (knock on wood!) at 3100 miles.

I expect that what the other guys are saying about a bad run of glass and people grabbing the windshields getting in and out are the main cause of most windshield cracks.

I wouldn't worry about it, if I were you. Just make sure that you tell your passengers NOT to EVER even touch the windshield and stay FAR away from the sidepipes.

You are getting VERY close to being THE COOLEST GUY in Spain. I can't wait to see pics of your car's arrival and the 1st drive!

Cheers!
Dave

Cashburn · #7 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006, 04:13 PM

Alfonso,
Car is in Newark, NJ awaiting its next boat ride.

Nor Cal Al · #8 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006, 07:55 PM

I found that the problem may have been the installation besides maybe the glass. Mine cracked in two places in two days, both on the drivers side. We found that the side mount bars were pulled out to the cowl without any shims and that put the glass and frame in stress. We put more than 1/4 inch on one side and about 1/8th on the other side of the new glass. ID on the glass was the same on the replacement as on the original. New glass with proper installation seems to be OK (knock on wood, as others have said).

Some dealers were/are not using the supplied aluminum frame and purchasing the brass (with glass) from other vendors.

Sledge · #9 (**permalink**) 07-14-2006, 08:45 AM

I have BDR #168.

I cracked my windshield for the first time after one of the visors fell off. I could not find one of the two original screws so I used one that was just barely longer than the original. It was just enough longer to crack the window at the top about 2 inches. I could have lived with the 2 inch crack if I kept it below 100 mph but above 100 the crack would grow. So I called Reg and crew, had them send me another windshield. I installed it exactly like the first windshield--same washers, spacers, etc. (except for replacing the long visor screw for a properly sized screw)--which had been trouble free for the 2,000-3,000 miles before my stupid mechanic trick, and it lasted 5 days before cracking from bottom to top (or vice versa) apparently from residual stresses. Ca-ching! So I ordered another windshield from Reg and crew, they made me a good price (but still ca-ching!) and included replacement brass mounting brackets, and I had the windshield professionally installed. The installers used some pretty nifty plastic washers to fit the windshield to the car. They were concerned, however, by the use of only 2 10 mm head size (6 mm shank?) bolts and nuts on each side where the windshield hardware mounts to the chassis (that's how the car was delivered), so we went to two high-strength 3/8" bolts per side instead. No problems since, 2600+ miles.