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Windshield crack, repairable?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by java, Mar 20, 2025.

  1. Mar 20, 2025 at 7:44 PM
    #1
    java

    java [OP] fauxrunner

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    Got this for Valentine's day. Haven't got a chance to talk to a repair shop. Repairable? Got another smaller one today literally going 20mph, think need to have them looked into sooner than later.

    IMG_4108.jpg
     
  2. Mar 20, 2025 at 7:46 PM
    #2
    java

    java [OP] fauxrunner

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    another view

    IMG_4105.jpg
     
  3. Mar 20, 2025 at 7:51 PM
    #3
    Borracho Loco

    Borracho Loco My 4Runner identifies as a Prius!

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    Oooh look, another mod.....
    I haven't had any (knock on wood) on my 4Runner, but I had one on my Tacoma and used this:

    [​IMG]


    It filled the chip very well. You could barely see it after I used that stuff. It never spread and if you didn't know where it was, it was very hard to see.
     
    Rocko9999 and java[QUOTED][OP] like this.
  4. Mar 20, 2025 at 8:08 PM
    #4
    java

    java [OP] fauxrunner

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    Thanks, I'd like to leave it to a pro, but good to know about the DIY solution.
     
  5. Mar 20, 2025 at 8:10 PM
    #5
    java

    java [OP] fauxrunner

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    Also, do y'all feel that auto glass coverage is a scam? I had a 60$ minor(much smaller than this) rock chip repair claim from -a year ago, and apparently it pushed my premium up by 140$? Looks like better to pay out of pocket, even for a full replacement, as premium increases will wipe out any savings. Thinking of dropping my glass coverage...
     
  6. Mar 20, 2025 at 9:06 PM
    #6
    kmeeg

    kmeeg New Member

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    Normally insurance companies cover this to be repaired by Safelite even though you don't have any special windshield coverage. Atleast I don't have any special glass coverage and I didn't have to pay any for repair job.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  7. Mar 20, 2025 at 9:15 PM
    #7
    TacoGeeloor

    TacoGeeloor New Member

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    My advice…get it filled ASAP. I had 2 minor chips that both spread within a shift at work. I’m sure every chip is different but I had to replace the windshield and I never had a chance to get them filled. Kinda crazy how fast they spread…truck was parked and went from a chip to about 16 inches of a crack in 10 hours. A couple weeks later another small chip on the way to work and spread again in about 10 hours.
     
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  8. Mar 20, 2025 at 9:21 PM
    #8
    Turd Ferguson

    Turd Ferguson New Member

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    Get a glass company to put epoxy in the hole and it should last along time. These windshields are so prong to rock chips that it’s not worth replacing until you get a big crack.
     
  9. Mar 21, 2025 at 3:24 AM
    #9
    Whaler94

    Whaler94 New Member

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    Looks repairable - get repaired ASAP! It will spread.
     
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  10. Mar 21, 2025 at 3:35 AM
    #10
    Guppy1301

    Guppy1301 New Member

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    As others have said, that can be fixed. The sooner, the better. I had an FJ for 15 years and was on windshield 11 when I sold it to my Nephew.
     
    3JOH22A and java[OP] like this.
  11. Mar 21, 2025 at 4:56 AM
    #11
    Rick G.

    Rick G. Member since July, 2020

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    Something hit my windshield on my ‘22 T4R with a very loud crack earlier this past winter. I was pissed, I thought well that caused some damage. I was on the expressway doing around 60. Probably a rock but who knows. It was raining so I was using my wipers at the time.

    Later when I got home, I parked in the garage and toweled off my windshield to look for damage. Couldn’t find a thing. I thought pfffft….. cool. I was amazed there wasn’t a mark, as loud as that thing sounded. Thought that was the end of that.

    A couple weeks later, wifey was out driving the T4R. …..comes home, asks me where I got that chip in my windshield. I asked where, I said there’s no chips you must have just done it. She said no, she claimed she noticed it right after leaving our driveway, just as she was leaving home. (Can’t get a whole lot past her- she’s super observant)

    Lo and behold, there was a small crater I didn’t notice, hiding right under the right side windshield wiper- the parked wiper blade was perfectly over the chip. WTF. So I figured that happened back on that day I heard something smack the windshield- the object struck that spot while the wipers were in use, but was then covered by the parked wiper. Ridiculous. That couldn’t happen again in a million years.

    So anyways, l sat in my driver’s seat, then in the passenger seat, staring at the chip. Pissed. Now I could see it. But, I eventually figured screw it, nobody else will even know it’s there when the wipers are parked, especially when one is outside the vehicle. So I said piss on it and let it go.

    So, about a month or so passed. I was out with my truck. I think I was at Home Depot. Jump back in my truck, immediately notice this long vertical crack in my windshield. I thought now WTF. Get back outside to take a look. Vertical crack started right smack dab at that hidden chip. I was pissed. Drove to my dealer, which wasn’t far away, asked them if that can be fixed somehow. They said no, it will need a new windshield. I didn’t have them do it, I eventually hooked up with a glass shop and had the auto glass shop do it. I paid out of pocket, didn’t want to do an insurance claim. I showed the guy the chip under the windshield wiper. He said yeah they could have fixed the chip had I come in with it before the crack formed.

    Live and learn. So I guess if I ever get another dam chip, I’ll take it in to get it fixed before a crack developes. Crap.

    So anyways, got a new windshield now. They did a nice job of it. ….will see how long this one lasts. So much crap and debris on the roads and highways these days. The windshield on my 2006 Tundra lasted me the whole ownership of that truck. Bought it new in ‘06, sold it November of ‘23 when I got my T4R.
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2025
    java[OP] likes this.
  12. Mar 21, 2025 at 7:26 AM
    #12
    catbrown357

    catbrown357 New Member

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    That's crazy. I still have the original windshield in my '03 Tundra. I have a couple of chips that were filled, but original glass. Quality of the glass? Different layering process? And I don't want to change it out. I've heard stories of problems of water leaking in after windshield replacement on the 1st Gen Tundras.
     
    java[OP] likes this.
  13. Mar 21, 2025 at 7:39 AM
    #13
    94hokie

    94hokie New Member

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    Yeah my 13 when I traded it in didn't have a single chip (he says while knocking on wood not to jinx himself going forward).
     
    java[OP] likes this.
  14. Mar 21, 2025 at 11:23 AM
    #14
    java

    java [OP] fauxrunner

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    Thank you all for chiming in, got them repaired this morning, 80$ out of pocket. Hope holds up.
     
    Guppy1301 likes this.
  15. Mar 21, 2025 at 11:35 AM
    #15
    Ripper238

    Ripper238 New Member

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    If its smaller than a quarter should be no issue, any good glass shop can do it. And those quality kits to do it your self work just as well.
     
    java[OP] likes this.
  16. Mar 21, 2025 at 11:36 AM
    #16
    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A トヨタ純正男娼

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    Good luck and avoid using the wiper deicer from now on.

    Windshield replacement is $1000+ with PCS calibration.
     
    java[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  17. Mar 21, 2025 at 11:46 AM
    #17
    Ripper238

    Ripper238 New Member

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    Wow, $80 is crazy. I would have gotten the kit.

    Should have been covered by insurance though? I know insurance is required to cover in NY & CT.
     
    java[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  18. Mar 21, 2025 at 11:56 AM
    #18
    5thToy

    5thToy New Member

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    It's the exception rather than the rule unfortunately. I think there are only 7 states with laws requiring auto glass coverage in insurance policies.
     
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  19. Mar 21, 2025 at 12:51 PM
    #19
    java

    java [OP] fauxrunner

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    Well, I recently switched to Amice from Progressive, got an online quote first agent said the final premium would be $140 kore becausw of a 60$ rock chip claim I'd made more than a year ago. I feel scammed. That $140 literally covers my two repairs so far. Just talked to Amica and dropped glass coverage.
     
    Rocko9999 and Ripper238[QUOTED] like this.
  20. Mar 21, 2025 at 12:53 PM
    #20
    java

    java [OP] fauxrunner

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    Good point thanks, saw here someone mentioning their windshield cracking becausw of the deicer. Stupid thing anyways, I put my wipers up when frezze is expected.
     
    alittleoff and 3JOH22A[QUOTED] like this.
  21. Mar 21, 2025 at 12:55 PM
    #21
    java

    java [OP] fauxrunner

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    I think supposed to drill the crack and then fill? Am actually good at wrenching, but such stuff I'd not want to mess with.
     
  22. Mar 21, 2025 at 1:50 PM
    #22
    Ripper238

    Ripper238 New Member

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    Nope, no drilling. The kit comes with a pin to clean the hole and the pressure device to inject it into the crack as well as a razer to clean it up. I have done it 2 times and it worked as good as the pro's. But it can depend on the spider crack i suppose.
     
    java[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  23. Mar 22, 2025 at 3:44 PM
    #23
    chrisb009

    chrisb009 New Member

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    For it to repaired it needs be less than 1"...you can try to repair it but it will probably not hold.
     
  24. Mar 22, 2025 at 3:53 PM
    #24
    Borracho Loco

    Borracho Loco My 4Runner identifies as a Prius!

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    No, you don't drill. It's simple to use. You fill the chip/crack with epoxy resin. Then you put a patch over it while it dries.

    After it dries, you peal back the patch (it's a clear square), then you scrape away the excess with a razor blade. I did this when I had a rock chip on my 21' Tacoma. After it was fixed, people couldn't even see it. Totally worth the money I spent on it.

    The patch kits only apply to cracks/chips that are the size of a dime or nickel. Any bigger and they recommend you get a shop to do it.
     
    Ripper238 likes this.
  25. Mar 23, 2025 at 8:53 AM
    #25
    Ripper238

    Ripper238 New Member

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    Thought it was the size of a quarter? But yeah, a dime or a nickel size would be better.
     
  26. Mar 23, 2025 at 9:12 AM
    #26
    Borracho Loco

    Borracho Loco My 4Runner identifies as a Prius!

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    Oooh look, another mod.....

    Due to inflation, a dime is now equal to a quarter.
     
  27. Mar 24, 2025 at 10:44 AM
    #27
    kolter45

    kolter45 Inferno Pro & 4.0 Tacoma

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    I just call my guy & he comes to my house. He'd just fill that one with glue. He probably charge me $80 bucks - Don't hit the carwash or you'll have to replace the whole thing
     

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