Well, it finally happened, my beautiful '97 Camry got a major hit by a rock on the windshield. I've had dozens of rock hits before, but they always manage to bounch away or at most leave smallish pin head chips but no cracks. This time it was a nice egg size rock hurrled out by a semi-trailer. I wasn't even that close! 3 car lengths at the least. It hit right smack in the middle of the glass, an instant dime sized ding with "starburst" cracks extending from the center!

I took it to Novus right away and they almost refused to fix it saying it's a nasty one and probably no chance of saving it. I got them to try anyhow, and the pressure of the liquid they use caused a horizontal crack to extend from either side of the it. But they did manage to seal it and said it wont' crack anymore. I sure hope this is the case but now that I've become more aware of cracks, I noticed a ton of cars on the road with major cracks or dings like that. I guess I should count myself lucky.

Not really hoping for a solution here, but just wanted to vent, thanks for listening!

It sucks that you've been another rock victim. I've had at least three different windsheilds installed because of rocks alone...it irritates the shit out of me...I was riding about 4 car lengths behind a dump truck on the interstate one day and a rock about the size of a salt shaker came through the windshield, after whacking a good chunk of paint off my hood and leaving a sizable dent...I was soo pissed. That's the last time it's happened, and hopefully it don't happen again. Let's just say I stay the hell away from dump trucks.

*Beware of the DUMP TRUCKS*, they are pain in the @$$, them and 18 wheelers, i've fell victim to the dump truck 2

did it go thru your windshield? That's terrible! Yeah I swear I'm going to stay away from any big trucks, or vehicles with more than 4 wheels.. UGH!

Yeah...mine went completely through the windshield and hit the passenger seat, then landed in the floor...I was soo pissed...I've spent more than enough money on glass replacement in my car...I'm almost ready to have it all replaced with plexiglass or something just so I don't have to worry about it.

just a heads up, It's a good idea to replace a broken windsheild even if the crack is sealed. It is probable cause for a police officer to stop you and you can get cited for having an obstructed view (same goes for having things hanging from your rearview mirror).

Interesting about the cops. How much stuff is too much for stuff handing from rearview mirror? I've seen HUGE fuzzy dice in one camino. :D

As for cracks, now that I'm paying attention to these things, I see tons of cars running with them, in all shapes and sizes, single long horizontal ones, edge eclipse kind, spider web or anywhich way it pleases.

The one concern I have is actually the glass caving into the car while driving. Also the ability of glass to hold up the compartment in a roll or flip is probably compromised as well.

Yes, you are correct, you'd be much better off just replacing it anyways...even if they do repair it, sooner or later it will come back through and start cracking again...that's the bad thing. There is always a possibility of the glass collapsing, although it depends on how extensive the damage really is. It won't completely collapse anyways, like explode or anything, it's laminated to prevent millions of little pieces of glass flying in the car...

Technically anything hanging from the rear view mirror can be considered "too much." A police officer usually uses two or three clues before pulling someone over (blocked view, light out, touching the fog or center lines, erratic speed, etc...) unless it is a blatant violation. Having something hanging from the rear view mirror gives them a free-be of sorts. :nono:

Then again, I have my police ID and air freshener hanging from the rear view mirror in my camry. (I'm not a cop, just a volunteer).

Well, it's been 10days and the nasty starburst cracks fixed by Novus have held well in rain and sunlight. I do think immediately filling the cracks is the key to prevent them from going out further. It doesn't look that big now actually, more like blunt pencil point in the middle, with a single crack running sideways. I can still tell due to light bouncing off the glass, filler, and then glass again. I certainly wouldn't consider it blocking the view though. With luck, I'll hold on to this glass til I can afford to get a new Camry. :)

you might not consider it blocking your view but if a cop can see it, then it's up to him to determine if it is blocking your view.

Dont drive behind trucks.
I have a V6 and I use it
to get past those trucks.

I agree...that has been learned by most of us from experience.

IVE ALSO HAD THAT SAME PROBLEM! ACK!!
coulda been worse...


http://mrnick.binary9.net/images/gross%20blood%20splatter%20on%20window.jpg

Carry around some marbles.. then when ya see an 18 wheeler thats hauling gravel or rocks.. just toss a couple of marbles in front of him.. might not cause any damage.. but it sure relieves alot of stress from the rock chips on your winshield.

think it's bad in a car, try dodging that sh!t on a motorcycle. i give dumptrucks plenty of room. oh yeah, ball bearings work also (but marbles are more appealing!).