My 2006 XK8 has been entertaining me with a crack in the windscreen. Tiny crack about six months ago. (Darn - but that can wait.) Since, it has been creeping along. Turns up, turns down, goes right, then left. Now is about 12" long. Time to replace it.

Here are my questions for the forum:
1. Why might a windscreen develop a slow moving crack? What is driving it? Car has been used as a boulevard cruiser. I do not want a new one to do the same.
2. What advice re. replacing it? Independent Jag repair shop, mobile windshield service, Safelight, other?

Thanks.

 

Even the most minor road vibration can cause cracks to spread. So can jacking up the vehicle....

These windshields can be difficult to replace. I would consult a well-respected, long-time-in-business auto glass shop....

 

My XKR had a similar growing crack. It emanated from the lower right side corner. When the screen was removed for replacement, it revealed a small corrosion patch that was slowly lifting the screen corner away from the bonded area - thus making the crack grow.

 

That's all it takes, yup - and everything else mentioned here. Me, the bone head, I have a crack that in two weeks (first two weeks driving the car no less) after I (MYSELF - still punching myself in the nose for this one) cause the SMALLEST chip in the bottom center of the windshield, with the edge of a screwdriver, trying to pry off a wiper arm... Talk about hang ones head in shame. Today,,, it's a top to bottom crack with one tributary. Outside PAIN (no pun intended) only...

It doesn't take much. Except to replace, that is..

 

My windscreen was changed on insurance. It only cost me £60 excess. I made it clear from the outset that I didn't know why it was cracked and it didn't appear to propagate from any stone chip (the corrosion was not visible). The insurance company didn't seem bothered about cause and that the screen was covered under policy even if someone put a brick through it....

 

One mistake I made was to not have the trim attached to the new windshield BEFORE installation. Be sure your installer follows this procedure, or you will not be able to get a proper seal between the trim and the body.

 

my insurance paid, told them it was a stone chip the cause was a small rust spot, sanded it and primed and paint

 

I have a zero deductible for windshields on my insurance. My 98 xk8 windshield got a stone hit and crack, and yes it slowly creeped across the windshield. I had Safelite auto replace it, and they also got approval from insurance for all new front windshield trim! Needless to say it would have been about $1500!