View Full Version : Cracked Windshield / Replacement Options
Snakeskin347
06-24-2024, 05:13 PM
Hi all,
I was wondering if there are any other options other than ordering from Factory Five. I live in Canada and shipping is usually an issue unless I ship to Michigan which is an hour away for me. I tried calling FFR multiple times but I guess they don't have time to speak with anyone now like they have in the past. Their website says that they are backordered and I was wondering if there are any other places to order from? I sent them an email and hopefully someone will reply top me in regards to availability and wait time etc... The weirdest thing was that the windshield was fine when I put the cover on it and then was cracked when I took it off - obviously something is misaligned and was putting stress on the glass?
If anyone has some options or info it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Jeff Kleiner
06-24-2024, 05:18 PM
As of Saturday Travis told me that they are in stock. Website is not always up to date. You could go with Lexan from 520 Speedworks but would probably still have the same importation challenges.
Jeff
Snakeskin347
06-24-2024, 05:24 PM
Sweet! Just the glass? They have the whole assembly ontheir site but I just need the glass which shows backordered. Does Travis work in their parts dept? What is the easiest way to actually speak with someone at FFR that could help me? Sorry for all of the questions...:D
I can tell you that FFR definitely has replacement windshield glass in stock. I spoke with them earlier today and have one on it's way to me. I wish this wasn't happening, but it is. I can't speak to how to get one across the border, but I know they have them in stock, irrespective of what the website says.
Snakeskin347
06-24-2024, 08:56 PM
I can tell you that FFR definitely has replacement windshield glass in stock. I spoke with them earlier today and have one on it's way to me. I wish this wasn't happening, but it is. I can't speak to how to get one across the border, but I know they have them in stock, irrespective of what the website says.
Thanks for the confirmation on the glass stock. I'll hopefully hear back from them so I can get one on order.
jrcuz
06-25-2024, 06:29 AM
My windshield cracked as a result of trying to install the sun visors. I ordered the replacement glass from FFR. It took 3 shipments before I got one that wasn't broken in transit. I called them before they sent the third one to tell them they needed better packaging. They did a much better job with the packaging and it arrived intact. I haven't installed the new glass yet, the crack in the original w/s is only about 2 inches long and has not gotten longer since I started driving about 1 month ago. We'll see how it goes.
JR
Mine cracked same as yours. Put the car away one day and the windshield was fine. Next day the windshield was cracked. I knew if I replaced it with the factory glass it was just a matter of time till it cracked again.
I found this https://520speedworks.com/shop/ols/products/cobra-lexan-windshield Had It over a year with no problems and because its Lexan, I don't anticipate any. Very easy to install - they have an installation video.
Priced right too at $350 My insurance (Hagerty) paid the whole amount.
CaptB
06-25-2024, 08:56 AM
+1 for 520 Speedworks. Veteran owned.
Mine cracked same as yours. Put the car away one day and the windshield was fine. Next day the windshield was cracked. I knew if I replaced it with the factory glass it was just a matter of time till it cracked again.
I found this https://520speedworks.com/shop/ols/products/cobra-lexan-windshield Had It over a year with no problems and because its Lexan, I don't anticipate any. Very easy to install - they have an installation video.
Priced right too at $350 My insurance (Hagerty) paid the whole amount.
Two of us experienced cracked windshields in Ohio this past weekend (LCS). The only good thing was that we had a whole bunch of experts there from whom we could seek advice. The deciding factor for me was this: if you use windshield wipers, you want glass. Considering that the past two trips to Ohio have included considerable rain, I went with glass. My car seems to be a rain magnet...
Jeff Kleiner
06-25-2024, 09:54 AM
Two of us experienced cracked windshields in Ohio this past weekend (LCS). The only good thing was that we had a whole bunch of experts there from whom we could seek advice. The deciding factor for me was this: if you use windshield wipers, you want glass. Considering that the past two trips to Ohio have included considerable rain, I went with glass. My car seems to be a rain magnet...
I was in on those conversations. We all know (or should know) that the glass can't be stressed when the windshield is bolted to the chassis. I know for fact (since i did it!) that when Al's windshield was installed almost 5 years ago it was shimmed so that it remained relaxed. The other owner who experienced a crack reported that his was also. However there is a common denominator to the two cracked windshields...both have a Rod Tops soft top and had traveled several hundred miles at interstate speeds with the tops up in extreme (95 degrees) heat. I have to wonder if the wind buffeting that occurred due to the tops was a contributor?????
Jeff
JohnK
06-25-2024, 09:58 AM
The deciding factor for me was this: if you use windshield wipers, you want glass.
FWIW- XPEL makes a windshield protective film that goes on the outside of the windshield to protect against rock chips. I have no personal experience with it so can't say with certainty that this would work, but this could provide a sacrificial layer to be able to use wipers with a Lexan windshield, if that's a requirement.
Alan_C
06-25-2024, 10:18 AM
As Jeff said, shimming the windshield posts to eliminate stressing the glass is the only way a glass windshield is going to last long term. I had two crack in the garage in 4 years as have so many others, shimmed the third and it has lasted 10 years between myself and the 2nd owner.
Two of us experienced cracked windshields in Ohio this past weekend (LCS). The only good thing was that we had a whole bunch of experts there from whom we could seek advice. The deciding factor for me was this: if you use windshield wipers, you want glass. Considering that the past two trips to Ohio have included considerable rain, I went with glass. My car seems to be a rain magnet...
Yeah, if you have wipers Lexan probably wouldn't be a good idea. I don't have wipers as I never go on trips. I take the car out, get my adreneline rush for about and hour or so and back to the garage. The ones from Speedworks have a hard coat on them but wipers would eventually scratch.
Jeff I wondered that as well. Mine had been in for 2-1/2 years and 10,000 miles including last years trip to LCS. I ordered from Greg at 520 Speedworks this morning. We can compare notes next year Al :D.
Dave
I was in on those conversations. We all know (or should know) that the glass can't be stressed when the windshield is bolted to the chassis. I know for fact (since i did it!) that when Al's windshield was installed almost 5 years ago it was shimmed so that it remained relaxed. The other owner who experienced a crack reported that his was also. However there is a common denominator to the two cracked windshields...both have a Rod Tops soft top and had traveled several hundred miles at interstate speeds with the tops up in extreme (95 degrees) heat. I have to wonder if the wind buffeting that occurred due to the tops was a contributor?????
Jeff
Interesting that you would mention this. I started thinking about it last night, and almost (I guess I am now...) posted an engineering related question on just that topic. I wonder if there is stress on the windshield from the top as well. The top has two bars that run lengthwise attaching to a header on the top corners of the windshield. They should be applying equal force - if any - to both sides. The tension adjustments on the rear apply pressure to the bottom plate and the first rib. That could contribute to stress on the front depending on how tight they are. Perhaps it becomes important to ensure they are equally tight so as not to shift too much pressure on one side?
I'm curious what other rod top owners and/or engineers might think.
David Williamson
06-25-2024, 01:07 PM
I have a Lexan windshield that I put on probably 15 years ago and I have wipers, just now starting to see minor scratches when the sun hits from a low angle. The hard coated Lexan works well even glass on the daily driver shows lots of pitting after similar mileage. My original glass windshield cracked from a stone kicked up by a truck.
David W