Spontaneously imploding rear glass

[achman]

Anyone ever had this happen? Was totally fine last night, today I go out to the garage to get something and see this--nothing fell on it.

 

Car hasn't been driven since Vintage.

 

I'm assuming original glass and heat caused it to happen.

 

Anything I should know about replacing it? I once had to get a windshield replaced in a Porsche 914 and that was a complete debacle.

 

 

[Mike Self]

Lucky you--your comprehensive insurance will now buy you a nice new heated back window with a functioning defroster grid!  Leave it to the pros to install a new one--and use a factory rubber gasket if a new one is needed...

 

The same thing happened to the driver's window on my '73 while sitting in the driveway.  No evidence of a thrown rock, BB or anything else--it was in the shade, so not excessive heat, and it happened in the time it took me to walk to and from my mailbox--perhaps 200 feet tops.  Most of the glass fragments landed outside the car, not inside as would happen if it were a projectile, bird, etc.  

 

Tempered glass is funny stuff.  It just does that.  My uncle went through three back windows on his then new 52 Buick within 3-4 months--glass blew outward (like yours) while sitting in his driveway.

 

mike

[jgerock]

Brian- must be the family of squirrels or raccoons that were trying to escape the cabin. I've done the front and rear glass with help from other local FAQ'rs. 

[jp5Touring]

The 73tii I had also did the driver side window in the late 1990's .  I'm standing in the yard and kablamo shattered glass everywhere.   

[adawil2002]

Saw that happen to a Touring windshield a few years ago, it was fine in the evening and had shattered overnight.  

 

Pretty sure 2002 sedan rear glass is relatively easy to find.

[fastricky]

That happened to my 318is and that car was known to have that occur but I didn't know it also happened to '02s...

[achman]

15 hours ago, mike said:

Lucky you--your comprehensive insurance will now buy you a nice new heated back window with a functioning defroster grid!  Leave it to the pros to install a new one--and use a factory rubber gasket if a new one is needed...

 

The same thing happened to the driver's window on my '73 while sitting in the driveway.  No evidence of a thrown rock, BB or anything else--it was in the shade, so not excessive heat, and it happened in the time it took me to walk to and from my mailbox--perhaps 200 feet tops.  Most of the glass fragments landed outside the car, not inside as would happen if it were a projectile, bird, etc.  

 

Tempered glass is funny stuff.  It just does that.  My uncle went through three back windows on his then new 52 Buick within 3-4 months--glass blew outward (like yours) while sitting in his driveway.

 

mike

Thanks Mike

 

My defroster was still working!

 

Already called around, they'll have to order it

 

and there is no way I am putting it in myself

[m42002]

I believe that is a standard reaction by our cars to the 3rd brake light.  ?

[TG2k2]

My guess is it was caused by the fact that our cars create a nice air-tight seal when you close your doors. That, combined with a hot and humid day = recipe for disaster! [emoji12]

All kidding aside, I’m sorry for your troubles. You should have no problem finding a replacement window but it definitely sucks having to deal with that.

I spent a year in Alabama and I must have seen a dozen windows blow out on hot and humid days. The locals used to tell me “make sure you crack your windows!”. I quickly learned why they were so adamant about that!

[lowniss37]

ok my door windows are staying cracked from now on in the garage!

[Healey3000]

12 hours ago, achman said:

Thanks Mike

 

My defroster was still working!

 

Already called around, they'll have to order it

 

and there is no way I am putting it in myself

Hi,

 

Putting it in isn't really that bad.  My mistake was in not using Windex to lube the snot out of the gasket.  Then it all went pretty uneventfully.  Point to note - this was the first one I'd ever done and my helper was equally inexperienced (my son).

[TobyB]

Dishes soap and a little water, here.  45 minute job at most, 30 with help.

 

I like the heat explanation, as it's very uncommon around here.

Glass has a LOT of internal stresses in it, and oddly, in its natural

state also behaves like a liquid.  

Perhaps we haven't quite tamed it...

 

t

[Vicleonardo1]

Just a question: 
Where you anywhere near Area 51?  

 

 

[otisdog]

Instead of windex or soap, go down to your local tire place and get some of the goo they use to mount the tires to the wheel. Puts the other stuff to shame...

[Mark92131]

This spontaneous imploding glass thing is not limited to vehicle windshields.

 

Mark92131