Cracked Windshield's and Frequent Blade changes

[P Sully]

9-21-04

Has anyone else experienced a high level of windshield chips on their Explorer's? My '97 XLT has had three windshields replaced (I drive on paved
roads). Also the windshield wiper blades don't seem to clean well and they seem to wear out in just 3-4months. Anyone have any comments or suggestions?

Other than an air control value, engine thermostat and the power lumbar bladder, and the scheduled maintenance,this vehicle has been maintenance free for 64,000 miles.

 

[DeRocha]

Your're more likely to get window cracks from driving on paved roads.. Most unpaved or offroad driving generally doesn't have All those vehicles in front of you kicking up all kinds of loose debris. On average I have a new windshield installed every 3 years due to cracks... Unfortunately the installers have to use utility knives to help cut some of the adhesive out. This can often scratch the lip of the roof and lead to rust and leak issues. :thumbdwn: I need to remove my current windshield (large 10"+ crack on passenger side) and repaire this rust damage...

 

[pax]

On my X.Those Ahole windshield installer didn't prime the scratched metal, the front top edge of the roof is all rusted out on the otherwise perfectly good body. I just start fuming everytime I look at that rusted out top edge. The windshield was replaced five years ago.
I am not getting the windshield done on my car and truck unless it is a big crack. I wouldn't let those Ahole touch my truck with a 10 feet pole :fire: .

 

[Texan01]

I've had 3 cars with worn windshields, my first car still had the original 1976 windshield and 200,000 miles on the odo and it was full of minor chips (only visible with sunset or sunrise) and would wear the blades and leave streaks of rubber, I'd change blades every 18 months or so.

The 2nd car the windhield had a chip in it that got water in it and froze and ran a crack across the whole glass. changed blades on it once. only had it for 2 years.

The X, is like the first car, lots of little chips on it's 3rd windshield, I've changed blades twice on it. after 2 years. Waiting for the windshield to develop a crack or a chip big enough to warrant replacing it.

I've found that the quality of rubber affects the life of them. the cheap blades don't last very long 6 months tops (at least in Texas) and the better ones generally last about a year to 18 months.

 

[MONMIX]

believe it or not it had a lot to do with the aerodynamics of the Explorer.
A lot of the wind from the hood sends a lot of crap into the windshield.
Grin and bear it.

 

[Raminator157]

If you use your wipers when there is ice on your windshield it wears them down very fast.

 

[EBInterceptor]

I lasted about 4 or 5 years on my last X without replacing the wipers. One replaced windshield due to a crack, but no chips. I'm just waiting for someone to develop a windshield wiper thats good enough to scrap bugs off the windshield without smearing them! Once they can invent that, the cures for AIDS and cancer are not far off.

 

[DeRocha]

believe it or not it had a lot to do with the aerodynamics of the Explorer.
A lot of the wind from the hood sends a lot of crap into the windshield.
Grin and bear it.

Absolutely.... When I had a '90 Ford Probe GT I was amazed because I barely needed my wipers. Bugs and stuff seamed to flow right over the hood and windshield. However on the X it seams bugs from 1/4 mile away are directed at my windshield (mostly on the driver's side )