Here's some background: We recently purchased a 2008 X Unlimited as a graduation present for our daughter. It's never been off road (heck, it's barely been out of the garage!). We've taken the entire hardtop off a couple of times (it was fairly easy and uneventful). She's driven it a few times with only the freedom panels off (not sure if this is relevant, but I thought I'd include this piece of info).

Here's what happended: Right after helping my daughter put the hardtop back on, I went to lower the back window. With both hands on the glass, I started to lower the glass so that I'd be able to close the tailgate. As I was lowering the glass, the entire winshield imploded. I can't explain the sheer volume of glass, glass dust and glass shards that went flying all over the place! What a bloody mess.

Here's my theory as to how/why this happened: In the weeks prior to this occuring, I noticed that one of the compression rods supporting the windsheild seemed overly tight. I assumed it was because it was new and that it would loosen up (i.e. loose a bit of compression) over time. My guess is that while I was trying to lower the glass, the tight rod failed to compress and actually punched through the windsheild. Has anybody else had a similar problem??

If you're interested, here's what we're doing about it: (Plan A) - We understand that our warranty does not cover glass and lenses. However, if we can demonstrate that the windshield rod is the part that actually failed and caused the windsheild to break, then we may be able to convince the dealer to cover the damage w/ a $100 deductible. (Plan B) - We purchased an extended warranty when we bought the car. The warranty is cancellable at any time (we receive a pro rate refund). Since the car is less than 2 months old, then we'd cancel the warranty coverage and use the refund to purchase replacement parts/labor (not cheap!). (Plan C) - File an insurance claim with our automobilie insurance provider ($500 deductible).

I've seen some really great and informed discussion on this site, so I'm eager to hear back from anyone who has an opinion about our dilemma. Thanks!

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Update to my initial post: --- See Below

 

It may be an isolated incident, I have slammed my glass several times even when the hardtop was on its storage straps in the garage I have bounced the glass off the ceiling in the garage. No problems to report.

Sorry to hear such a story but I hope it works out in your favor.

 

Your theory as to why it broke sounds good. The glass is tempered, so it will not just crack and run, it will shatter into a thousand pieces when enough stress is put on it. Check the grommets or rubber, or whatever isolates the rods from the glass. If there was metal from the gas strut touching the glass it can generate enough stress to cause this to happen.

I had a boss had the same thing happen on an Explorer side rear window. The finish of the panel was such that the panel contacted the window... and Boom! Scared the $%&# out of him.

As for the extended warranty... It's a nice "peace of mind" thing, but you have the unlimited drive train warranty. That leaves the A/C as about the only major item that would be covered. If something goes wrong with the electrical system it's usually not too difficult to fix (such as a window motor or wiper motor). Just make sure your daughter dates a mechanical engineer in college... I guess that's a little sexist. She may be going into mechanical engineering.

 

I have been in the auto repair business over 30 years, and have literally seen 4 or 5 tempered rear windows break every year, all makes and models, both hinged and fixed. Sometimes a cause can be determined, sometimes not. Your shocks being of uneven stength would stress the glass enough to break it. Your warranty will cover glass breakage caused by a defective shock, it will NOT cover accident breakage or stone chips. Carry it to the dealer and explain what happened, show them the binding shock, they very well may cover it. By the way a $500.00 deductible on your glass breakage is like no insurance on glass at all. I carry a $0 deductible on comprehensive coverage and the cost is very slight over the higher deductible. The way the windshield stands upright on your Jeep I guarantee every year or two you will get a chipped or cracked windshield. My YJ had 9 windshields in 13 years.....You shouldn't have any deductible on the basic vehicle warranty( which should cover you in this case.) Remember your comprehensive rates on your policy are not figured on individual claims like your collision rates. The comprehensive rates are figured on the number of comp claims filed in your area. That's why you are money ahead having a zero deductible on your glass....

 

My insurance company (USAA.com) has a free windshiled repair/replacement per year. No questions asked and no deductible on glass. Because lets face it glass is not designed to last forever. Especially when I lived in Colorado and they use gravel for ice traction. ID10T

 

Have you left the glass window open for an extended period of time? storage?

The shocks for some reason work best when they are in the compressed position. When left in the extended position for a long time, they tend to be overly hard to compress. This might occur because the lubrcating oils flow down into the cylinder, and the piston and rings tend to dry up a little.

 

Take it to the dealer and see what they say about your situation. Let us know how it all turns out.

 

Update to my initial post:

My story has a happy ending. Armed with the great advice I received from the folks on this thread below, my daughter and I took her Jeep back to the dealer and pleaded our case. Their knee-jerk reaction was predictable: "Sorry, the warranty doesn't cover glass and lenses." After 15 minutes of honest and frank discussion, we got the sales manager to agree that it was possible that the compression arm was actually responsible for the break. He said that if his service manager agreed with my theory, that they would cover the repairs. I received a call from the service manager this morning and he said that my theory wasn't unreasonable, and since he couldn't definitively prove that I was wrong, he would recommend that they replace the windshield as a covered repair (i.e. under the normal warranty). Whew....what a relief!

Sincere thanks to those of you who took the time to reply. There are definitely some very smart cats that post on this forum and I always learn something new and useful. In particular, the advice from YellowToy and TinMango was really outstanding. Thanks guys. More importantly, my daughter thanks you!!

Cheers.

 

Great to hear! I am glad you won. Its not often a dealership will do that kind of thing. Now that you have 2 posts you will become addicted and have a list of upgrades that will empty your bank account and then rack up your CC. Sorry the Jeep bug just bit you.

Just
EMpty
Every
Pocket

 

BGARCIA- I'm really glad to hear that your story came to a good conclusion... as your case proves, honest, frank eye to eye discussion in a calm reasonable manner will get much better results than tantrums. Dealership employees are like anyone else, they have their good and bad days. They will normally respond well to a legitimate request.