Cracked Windshield

[TeamCaffee]

With winter coming on our thoughts have turned to the possibility of a cracked windshield and what is an acceptable crack or rock chip. We have talked to other drivers about this issue and everyone seems to have an opinion ranging from a couple of inches to any size not in the drivers view to no crack to any crack without spurs running from it. I cannot find anything in the FMCSA rules about the subject. Can anyone post where I could look this information up? What about the size of a rock chip? Opinions are great but I would like be able to look this up in the FMCSA book.

 

[davekc]

Not sure if there are exact measurements but I go by if it is larger than a quarter, replace the window. Even if there is a rock shot, any line or crack out side of that diameter is what we would replace it at.
But that is nothing official. Just a personal guideline.

 

[SWTexas1]

Not sure if there are exact measurements but I go by if it is larger than a quarter, replace the window. Even if there is a rock shot, any line or crack out side of that diameter is what we would replace it at.
But that is nothing official. Just a personal guideline.

That is what our shop goes by also, Good luck looking in the book I looked for how long mud flaps have to be, could not find that either

 

[Turtle]

That's in 393.60 and the criteria for inspections, but there is a difference between the criteria for DOT inspection and the actual Out-of-Service criteria:

For inspections:

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.asp?rule_toc=775&section=APPENDIX%20G&section_toc=775&main_appendix=Y

APPENDIX G: Minimum Periodic Inspection Standards
12. Windshield Glazing. (Not including a 2 inch border at the top, a 1 inch border at each side and the area below the topmost portion of the steering wheel.) Any crack, discoloration or vision reducing matter except: (1) coloring or tinting applied at time of manufacture; (2) any crack not over 1/4 inch wide, if not intersected by any other crack; (3) any damaged area not more than 3/4 inch in diameter, if not closer than 3 inches to any other such damaged area; (4) labels, stickers, decalcomania, etc. (see §393.60 for exceptions).


393.60
Subpart D —Glazing and Window Construction
(c) Windshield condition. With the exception of the conditions listed in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this section, each windshield shall be free of discoloration or damage in the area extending upward from the height of the top of the steering wheel (excluding a 51 mm (2 inch) border at the top of the windshield) and extending from a 25 mm (1 inch) border at each side of the windshield or windshield panel. Exceptions: (1) Coloring or tinting which meets the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section;
(2) Any crack that is not intersected by any other cracks;
(3) Any damaged area which can be covered by a disc 19 mm (¾ inch) in diameter if not closer than 76 mm (3 inches) to any other similarly damaged area.


So, basically, you can have a crack, as long as it's not more than 1/4" wide and as long as it doesn't intersect another crack. The crack can be as long as you like, as long as it doesn't come within 2 inches of the top of the windshield, or 1 inch from the sides or bottom.

You can have a chip or otherwise similarly damaged area as long as it is not more than 3/4" in diameter, provided it is not closer than 3 inches to any other crack or damaged area.

However, if there is a crack within the sweep of the driver's side windshield wiper blade, that falls into the OOS criteria (bottom of page, Appendix G)

12. Windshield Glazing.
The out-of-service criteria places in a restricted service condition any vehicle that has a crack or discoloration in the windshield area lying within the sweep of the wiper on the drivers side and does not address the remaining area of the windshield. Appendix G addresses requirements for the whole windshield as specified in §393.60.

 

[Jack_Berry]

well informed from turtle. i was told during a dot inspection.....you have a couple cracks in the windshield. they aren't bad and we don't start failing a truck until it meets in two points.

 

[D Team Brothers]

Excellent question Bob and Linda, which will benefit many. As usual the total answer from Turtle. Keep up the good work! Jack

 

[pelicn]

Great question Linda! Thank you Turtle for doing the legwork in finding us an answer

 

[nightcreacher]

I was in a dot inspection with a bad crack in the passenger side windshield,nothing was said,but by my understanding, a stone chip if in line of site has to be replaced

 

[Turtle]

The research legwork comes from having two windshields replaced on the Sprinter.

 

[arkjarhead]

Another thing to remember is when you have a small chip you can get it fixed at different place for a lot cheaper than what it costs to replace a windshield. Plus if the chip is caught in time and fixed there is a good chance it will never crack.

 

[TeamCaffee]

Thanks Turtle!! Great info and I hope with this week of inspections no one is put out of service for this problem.

Maybe we will get through this winter without replacing our windshield but you never know. It is starting to pit pretty bad so if we do not replace the windshield this winter we will have to do it this summer.