15 replies to this topic

[Davidmt]

Well after reading the earlier thread thinking it may be one of those dreaded jobs I need to do in the future but not yet .... and then.

 

I was in the garage this morning pottering around (no where near the car!) when there was an almight bang - I was looking around for an exploded spray can or something but then saw the front of the car.

 

 20240209_101157.jpg   111.49K   5 downloads

 

The windscreen has just spontaneously shattered - it was continuing to crack for several minutes - I took a video!.  The car was just sat there with no seats - not being used or touched at the time.  What would cause such an event - temperature?

 

Looks like I need to decide whether to pay the £100 excess and get it done through the insurance or try myself but reading the earlier thread I think I know which way to go - any suggestions or recommendations?

 

Thanks

 

Ps - should I upgrade to a heated and/or tinted screen

Edited by Davidmt, 09 February 2024 - 10:42 AM.

[stuart bowes]

didn't you have a big section of floor removed and welded back in recently ? (was that you ?)  just wondering if the shell has twisted slightly while it was up on the lift with half the floor missing.. was it braced up

 

may be nothing to do with it?  just seems a bit coincidental otherwise 

Edited by stuart bowes, 09 February 2024 - 10:46 AM.

[greenwheels]

First thing to do is to stuff some rag or paper towel into the screen vent slots otherwise some bits of glass will get down into the heater and rattle every time you switch on the blower!!

[Davidmt]

didn't you have a big section of floor removed and welded back in recently ? (was that you ?)  just wondering if the shell has twisted slightly while it was up on the lift with half the floor missing.. was it braced up

 

may be nothing to do with it?  just seems a bit coincidental otherwise 

 

Yes I did but that was last week and car was brought back from the garage - I have also jacked up and swapped all the wheels.  I would have thought it would have gone then if there was a bit of flex - agree it could be related but still very strange.  I have put tape over the vents and a sheet on the dash.

Autoglass are booked next Friday - we will see if that happens.  I assume they will provide a new rubber seal and chrome insert but I will need to confirm.  That's if they have a fitter that can actually fit a screen to a 1980 Mini!

[bpirie1000]

Not such a smashing day for you....

Sure the screen guys will do a cracking job on Friday..

If you have never done a screen it is always best to see a pro do it and make it look easy..

Always some sort of come back aswell if it decides to play pop again..

On a positive note.. at least the scuttle panel is not showing signs of the usual roosts bits that will need treated .

[Midas Mk1]

Thermal contraction cold to warm garage, tiniest of stonechip opening up causing to shatter would be my suspicion, I do quite a few glass at work recently when vehicles pre-heated remotely, causing any weakness in the glass to be exposed.

Also, i'd do the screen yourself, its a good skill to know. 

[mab01uk]

Make sure the replacement is a later safer laminated screen which is much safer as they just crack, rather than shatter into small pieces with very limited visibility like an old toughened glass screen does. ie. You can continue driving until a convenient time to replace a laminated glass screen.

 

In the days when few wore safety belts many were killed by their head going through a jagged hole in the old style toughened windscreens, whereas a laminated screen has a plastic film embedded in the glass layers which at least stops that happening....if someone is stupid enough to not wear a belt....

Edited by mab01uk, 09 February 2024 - 01:50 PM.

[gav]

Make sure the replacement is a later safer laminated screen which is much safer as they just crack, rather than shatter into small pieces with very limited visibility like an old toughened glass screen does. ie. You can continue driving until a convenient time to replace a laminated glass screen.

 

In the days when few wore safety belts many were killed by their head going through a jagged hole in the old style toughened windscreens, whereas a laminated screen has a plastic film embedded in the glass layers which at least stops that happening....if someone is stupid enough to not wear a belt....

 

Pretty sure you can't buy toughened screens anymore unless you meant fitting a 2nd hand/NOS item.

[Davidmt]

Thanks everyone - just paid my £115 excess and booked for next Friday.  The call handler assured me they would come with a new rubber and chrome trim insert too.  On the basis that my rubber looks rippled in places (and probably leaks) and the chrome trim was hammered in by a neanderthal then I am actually quite pleased as it will tidy up the screen area.  I will also leave the broken screen as it is, so they can remove it and use their vacuum to remove all the pieces!

I will be watching and learning and will update after.  I believe all screens they now supply are laminated and it also comes with a lifetime guarantee so not as bad as it could be - I have a friend who just broke her screen on a modern 4x4 and it's going to cost her £1,500 to replace as she declined the windscreen cover!

[ac427]

A lot of people with very expensive cars use this guy

https://glasstecpaul.com/

[Davidmt]

Well today was the day for the Autoglass replacement. Despite confirming twice that they would come with rubber and trim the fitter tried to turn up with just the screen.

 

Despite having them in stock at Minispares 10 mins away they would not go or even let me go buy them as had to follow their own procedures. I wouldn't mind but they are only £10 parts and the total cost of materials is probably less than the £115 excess payment.

 

Now tempted to tell them where to shove their glass and DIY.

 

I was only using them for the convenience and it seems a challenging job needing 2 people!

 

Anyone in the York area fancy giving me a hand next month (heading on holiday for a week or so next week!).

[Midas Mk1]

You can do it by yourself, honestly it’s a good job to learn to do.
We sometimes sublet our glazing at work when we’re busy, local firm, who know exactly what they’re doing on all types of glass. Maybe that’s an option if you don’t want to have a go, trusted local independent rather than the large chains.

The amount of cars i’ve had back in with broken cameras, wiring after the big name companies have done a screen too…

[Davidmt]

You can do it by yourself, honestly it’s a good job to learn to do.
We sometimes sublet our glazing at work when we’re busy, local firm, who know exactly what they’re doing on all types of glass. Maybe that’s an option if you don’t want to have a go, trusted local independent rather than the large chains.

The amount of cars i’ve had back in with broken cameras, wiring after the big name companies have done a screen too…

 

Thanks - agreed.  I am going to DIY but Rich @ Minispares has offered to help.  Just need to tell Autoglass where to shove their screen first.

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

I don't rate Autoglass at all - I've seen them do a shoddy job too many times.  It frustrates me that if you have a windscreen done on the insurance, the insurance company will normally use Autoglass.

[coopertaz]

 

You can do it by yourself, honestly it’s a good job to learn to do.
We sometimes sublet our glazing at work when we’re busy, local firm, who know exactly what they’re doing on all types of glass. Maybe that’s an option if you don’t want to have a go, trusted local independent rather than the large chains.

The amount of cars i’ve had back in with broken cameras, wiring after the big name companies have done a screen too…

 

Thanks - agreed.  I am going to DIY but Rich @ Minispares has offered to help.  Just need to tell Autoglass where to shove their screen first.

 

rich is a top bloke

Edited by coopertaz, 10 July 2024 - 11:51 AM.