Windshield Replacement: Cost & How-To Guide

Hello,

"My windshield has developed a crack in the last few days, without any visible impact, so it's likely a stress crack."
The crack is located in the lower left corner (driver's side) and is approximately 10 cm long, although it was only half that length yesterday.

How much longer can I drive with it like this? I'd like to wait until the weather gets warmer before replacing the windshield.

I also heard that the workshops sometimes cut out the old disc with a hot wire, which can partially damage the metal (paint/zinc coating). If this damage isn't properly treated (painted), rust can form underneath.
Has anyone had similar experiences before? Would you trust that they provide adequate protection against rust?

Hello,
You can drive until your next vehicle inspection. It's unlikely that anything will happen; the crack can only get longer.
Best regards,
Günther.

Hi,

If the crack isn't getting bigger, I would continue driving.
But your crack has doubled in length within a single day. Do you really want to test whether the windshield will shatter at 180 km/h on the highway?

It's impossible to tell from a distance how much the crack affects the stability of the disc. However, if I were you, I would be very careful!

Regards,
Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

'Micha'

The question is whether the crack is only on the outside of the glass or also on the inside. If the crack extends to the inside, there is a risk that tiny shards of glass could fly into the interior. Otherwise, there might still be a possibility to drill a small hole at the end of the crack, and then have it resealed. This could temporarily stop the crack. However, you should not do this yourself, but rather have it done by a professional glass repair service. They might also be able to tell you more about the stability of the glass.

Hello.

"Hot wire" sounds quite extreme... Nowadays, I use an electric cutting tool from the inside. It works like a Stanley knife, but with two counter-rotating blades. It cuts the adhesive from the inside, as close as possible to the body panel. This frees the glass, which can then be lifted out. I wouldn't use wire or sawing techniques anymore; it's possible, but it's quite messy, especially in the corners, and it usually damages the interior trim, and often the paint near the glass on the outside, due to inaccurate wire guidance. Of course, once the glass is out, the frame should be inspected carefully to prevent any remaining adhesive from causing problems later. You never get it quite as clean any other way.
Do you think you can handle the job yourself? With the help of an expert, it's definitely something that can be done in about an hour. Excluding the time required for proper folding, which is a reason enough to do it yourself. The material is also very inexpensive if you don't order it from the official dealer. A Golf 3 windshield in white, without any tinting, costs around €80 net from parts suppliers.
Don't worry too much about a small crack in the glass. The stability of a windshield is often underestimated by non-experts. Have you ever seen a windshield shatter? It often only takes a small impact and a bit of force, even something as simple as a tool and a hearty breakfast, to cause it to break.

Best regards, Robert.

Hello,
A laminated glass pane will 'never' shatter completely.
You can drive until you get them changed!
Best regards,
Günther.

Thank you for your responses.

Meanwhile, the crack has widened several times and is now even encroaching on the field of vision - so it's slowly becoming uncomfortable.

Apparently, removing the old disc carries a risk of damage. I won't do it myself, as I believe someone with experience will be able to do it better.

Now I'm not sure whether I should go to the dealership (probably better bodywork maintenance, due to the anti-corrosion warranty).
or to the auto glass specialist, who I trust has more experience in removing the windshield without causing any damage, as they do this on a daily basis.

Hello,
I had it done at a reputable body shop after a stone chip, and I'm very satisfied with the result.
Best regards,
Günther.

Hi Holger247,

I would also drive until the next inspection, but I would allow the crack to stop spreading. In Austria, any qualified ARBÖ employee, which is the equivalent of your ADAC, would do this. They drill a hole in the windshield, which neutralizes the tension.

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Hello.

Okay, I would think about that carefully, because bonded windshields have a structural function in the body's stability.

Hello,
'Of course, they will be factored in, but even without the tires, the car would last longer than the driver!'
Best regards,
Günther

Hello!
A windshield that is glued in (don't laugh, that's just how it's designed...) has a structural function. This means that the vehicle loses rigidity if the windshield is damaged, whether it's a crack or a chip. That's why the nice guys in blue always mention it in their inspection report, even if the damage is in a spot the driver can't even see. You can probably notice it yourself on your car, right? What else would explain why the crack is getting bigger? The car's body flexes during driving, and the crack in your windshield creates a stress point. And then there's the extreme case of an accident: a pre-damaged windshield versus the airbag... Ouch, a lot of blood!
Cutting out glass with wire is a delicate process. But it's also something that requires practice. I've been doing it for years, and in my workshop, my master and I are a well-coordinated team. With the appropriate precautions and a little care, we haven't had any damage to trim pieces or paintwork. (Once, I had to work with our apprentice... and sure enough, he cut into the roof lining... of course, things can go wrong like that too.)
Corrosion protection is a very important topic, especially with these electric or, even more aggressively, pneumatic cutting tools, which can cause extensive damage to the paint. I've even seen sparks flying off pneumatic cutters when used by very 'careful' glass cutters. If nothing is done ('it'll be covered by the adhesive anyway, it'll be fine!'), rust will develop very quickly, regardless of any zinc coating. In such cases, the zinc coating is usually also damaged. This is exactly what happened with a customer's vehicle, a Golf 4, which was brought to our workshop for accident repair. About 12 months prior, a window had been installed in the vehicle by a local VW dealership, quickly, on a Friday afternoon. One-third of the frame was so severely rusted that we considered handing the car over to the painter without the window, but unfortunately, the tolerance frame specified in the expert report was already exhausted, so we had to renew the paint ourselves. Although the representative for these products is a bit of a pain, I can highly recommend the adhesives, cleaning primers, and, above all, the corresponding anti-rust paint from 'Makra.'Here's a tip for those on a budget: Carglass. They even come to your home and replace your windshield in your garage. The advantage is that you can watch them work. If you have insurance, they'll handle the billing, but it's a routine process for them.

Best regards,

Dominique.

Das die Windschutzscheibe eine tragende Funktion übernimmt kann ich mir nicht so richtig vorstellen. Das würde ja bedeuten, das die Windschutzscheibe richtig unter Spannung steht, wenn der Wagen z.B. mit einem Rad auf dem Bordstein steht. Würde dann die Sonne einen Teil der Scheibe erhitzen müssten die Spannungen erheblich sein. Ich glaube nicht dass das eine Scheibe lange mitmacht. Das sie zur Stabilität beiträgt halte ich für möglich, aber da bin ich auch kein Experte. Das ein Riß sich vergrössert ist auch durch unterschiedliche Wärmebelastung und damit Spannung in der Scheibe zu erklären. Auch wird die Scheibe sicherlich durch die Spannungen der Karrosserie (z.B. bei Schlaglöchern) belastet. Auch hierdurch kann der Riß sich vergrössern. Wenn man vorsichtig auf den Riß mit dem Knöchel klopft kann man auch sehr schön sehen wie der Riß weiter wandert. Dafür braucht man nicht sehr viel Kraft. Daher kann der Riß natürlich auch schon durch Hagel oder starken Regen (bei höherer Geschwindigkeit) weiter wandern. Die Karosserie vom Golf IV halte ich im Prinzip schon für sehr verwindungssteif. Wenn der Wagen auf dem Wagenheber steht kann man die Türen noch sehr leicht auf und zu machen. DaIt was completely different with my Golf II.
Well, if he had had the crack treated (i.e., drilled) right away, it probably wouldn't have gotten so much worse.

You should believe D. Kurz.

A bonded windshield plays a crucial role in the vehicle's geometry. I don't want to elaborate on that too much, as it has already been well explained.