Why do windshields break

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Topic: Why do windshields break

bignoiz
Senior Member
Member # 11755

posted

I think it is due more to the flexing of the A pillars and roof than anything else.

My van has very solid pillars and the flex is nothing compared to lesser systems I've had in there with stock pillars so if the windshield remains relativly solid I believe it could survive alot more abuse.

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Bassphobia
Senior Member
Member # 13930

posted

Well, glass isn't made to flex and they have very low flex tolerance.

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Posts: 2824 | From: Wisconsin | Registered: Nov 2003 | IP: Logged |

quote:

Originally posted by Bassphobia:
Well, glass isn't made to flex and they have very low flex tolerance.

I think you'de be suprised. I have seen ones that appear to have more travel (50-60 hz) than a cheap sub...LOL

Bruce......are the A pillars in your van stock?

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Alaake
Senior Member
Member # 11973

posted

quote:
Originally posted by Bassphobia:
Well, glass isn't made to flex and they have very low flex tolerance.

Posts: 2463 | From: A gravel pit in Iowa | Registered: Feb 2003 | IP: Logged |

AudioStylz722
Senior Member
Member # 1997

posted

Laminated glass has more flex tolerance then non-laminated glass, heated glass has a higher shock tolerance then normal glass does too. Ive seen a windshield flex a full 1" (.5" each way) and not even try to crack.

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assman
Senior Member
Member # 7939

posted

The windshield in my car flexed around 3 inchs and never shattered until we tried to hold it,then poof.

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Posts: 7969 | From: Rising Sun Md. | Registered: Dec 2001 | IP: Logged |

quote:

Originally posted by assman:
The windshield in my car flexed around 3 inchs and never shattered until we tried to hold it,then poof.

3"?

I have seen 1 to 1.5 inches but 3 inches is a little too much, unless it mounted on a 1.5" high Butyl rubber surround! [Big Grin]

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patriot
Member
Member # 3

posted

quote:
Originally posted by assman:
The windshield in my car flexed around 3 inchs and never shattered until we tried to hold it,then poof.

3"?

I have seen 1 to 1.5 inches but 3 inches is a little too much, unless it mounted on a 1.5" high Butyl rubber surround! [Big Grin]

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Carlos Alexis
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Sir_Stickybuds
Senior Member
Member # 178

posted

if hes talkin about the focus, it was 3" at least

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dBSteve
Senior Member
Member # 2538

posted

Why do windshields break .... flaws in the glass

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93Cutty
Senior Member
Member # 15204

posted

Mine moves at least .5 inch.. It's holding strong so far.

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Posts: 3089 | From: Avon, In | Registered: May 2004 | IP: Logged |

quote:

Originally posted by patriot:

quote:
Originally posted by assman:
The windshield in my car flexed around 3 inchs and never shattered until we tried to hold it,then poof.

3"? I have seen 1 to 1.5 inches but 3 inches is a little too much, unless it mounted on a 1.5" high Butyl rubber surround!

It didnt help that the weld where the roof meets the windshield broke on the inside.

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assman
Senior Member
Member # 7939

posted

quote:
Originally posted by patriot:

quote:
Originally posted by assman:
The windshield in my car flexed around 3 inchs and never shattered until we tried to hold it,then poof.
3"? I have seen 1 to 1.5 inches but 3 inches is a little too much, unless it mounted on a 1.5" high Butyl rubber surround!

Posts: 7969 | From: Rising Sun Md. | Registered: Dec 2001 | IP: Logged |

---Navi---
Senior Member
Member # 7410

posted

the bullets flying through them...duh

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Posts: 10772 | From: Victoria, TX | Registered: Nov 2001 | IP: Logged |

quote:

Originally posted by Alaake:

quote:
Originally posted by Bassphobia:
Well, glass isn't made to flex and they have very low flex tolerance.

I think you'de be suprised. I have seen ones that appear to have more travel (50-60 hz) than a cheap sub...LOL

Bruce......are the A pillars in your van stock?

Not really they are filled solid with polyurethane caulk and it really works well.

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bignoiz
Senior Member
Member # 11755

posted

quote:
Originally posted by Alaake:

quote:
Originally posted by Bassphobia:
Well, glass isn't made to flex and they have very low flex tolerance.
I think you'de be suprised. I have seen ones that appear to have more travel (50-60 hz) than a cheap sub...LOL

Bruce......are the A pillars in your van stock?

Posts: 3233 | From: MI | Registered: Feb 2003 | IP: Logged |

quote:

Originally posted by ---Navi---:
the bullets flying through them...duh

well, yeah. Mine broke from high deebeez.

Actually, mine does move quite a bit. Which is surprising to me anyway.

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MrCrowley
Senior Member
Member # 13734

posted

quote:
Originally posted by ---Navi---:
the bullets flying through them...duh

well, yeah. Mine broke from high deebeez.

Actually, mine does move quite a bit. Which is surprising to me anyway.

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Posts: 1066 | From: Paoli IN | Registered: Oct 2003 | IP: Logged |

MSIGuy
Senior Member
Member # 17286

posted

I know that a slipup while bracing will break them... lol

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Trouble
Senior Member
Member # 504

posted

Windshields are meant to flex quite a bit. The side windows howere will not flex much before breaking.

The two main reasons why they break are flaws in the glass or a flaw in the surrounding area. With my old Blazer I started cracking windshields on a regular basis. Come to find out there was a slight high spot on the lower section where the glass set. Even though you have something seperating them, it won't stop it. And mine was only moving about 1" when it would break.

If you find this happening I would grand/sand the whole frame smooth before dropping another one in just to be safe.

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truculenity
New Member
Member # 16520

posted

ive seen an older nissan (small) truck at SBN 2 years ago w/ like 40 10 L7's and a **** ton of power flex a windshield at least 3". it had a v shaped box and a camper shell

I shouldve never sat in that thing my ears have never been the same since...awesome

Posts: 62 | From: Fort Pierce, Florida | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged |

quote:

Originally posted by truculenity:
ive seen an older nissan (small) truck at SBN 2 years ago w/ like 40 10 L7's and a **** ton of power flex a windshield at least 3". it had a v shaped box and a camper shell

I shouldve never sat in that thing my ears have never been the same since...awesome

lol... I think you should sue the guy... his name is Will [Smile]

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Sound Pressure Technologies

scottiej
Senior Member
Member # 4544

posted

quote:
Originally posted by truculenity:
ive seen an older nissan (small) truck at SBN 2 years ago w/ like 40 10 L7's and a **** ton of power flex a windshield at least 3". it had a v shaped box and a camper shell

I shouldve never sat in that thing my ears have never been the same since...awesome

lol... I think you should sue the guy... his name is Will [Smile]

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Scottie Johnson
Sound Pressure Technologies

Posts: 2351 | From: Morgantown, KY | Registered: Apr 2001 | IP: Logged |

quote:

Originally posted by assman:
The windshield in my car flexed around 3 inchs and never shattered until we tried to hold it,then poof.

I have a couple of videos of this from finals a few yrs ago [Eek!]

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Just some thoughts from a nobody. [Smile]

Mike Fallon
Senior Member
Member # 13368

posted

quote:
Originally posted by assman:
The windshield in my car flexed around 3 inchs and never shattered until we tried to hold it,then poof.

I have a couple of videos of this from finals a few yrs ago [Eek!]

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Just some thoughts from a nobody. [Smile]

Posts: 3686 | From: Lakewood,Ohio | Registered: Aug 2003 | IP: Logged |

quote:

Originally posted by Empire Audio-Mike:

quote:
Originally posted by assman:
The windshield in my car flexed around 3 inchs and never shattered until we tried to hold it,then poof.

I have a couple of videos of this from finals a few yrs ago

Hook us up mike...

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assman
Senior Member
Member # 7939

posted

quote:
Originally posted by Empire Audio-Mike:

quote:
Originally posted by assman:
The windshield in my car flexed around 3 inchs and never shattered until we tried to hold it,then poof.
I have a couple of videos of this from finals a few yrs ago

Hook us up mike...

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Posts: 7969 | From: Rising Sun Md. | Registered: Dec 2001 | IP: Logged |

kickeraccent
Member
Member # 18337

posted

ya i been lookin for good vids of windows busted post them

Posts: 495 | From: harlan ,iowa | Registered: Jan 2006 | IP: Logged |

*1LOWSUV*
Senior Member
Member # 5176

posted

They break because they're made outta glass. [Wink]

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RhinoSS
Senior Member
Member # 15243

posted

Chit Happends [Confused]

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Posts: 2301 | From: CA | Registered: May 2004 | IP: Logged |

quote:

Originally posted by dBSteve:
Why do windshields break .... flaws in the glass

ya..they are flawed they wont handle a ton of woofers, high spl...or custom dashed that warped durning the making that decide to smack the window.......

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Proaudio150
Senior Member
Member # 34

posted

quote:
Originally posted by dBSteve:
Why do windshields break .... flaws in the glass

ya..they are flawed they wont handle a ton of woofers, high spl...or custom dashed that warped durning the making that decide to smack the window.......