crack in windshield -- cab flexing
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Lynnwood, WA
crack in windshield -- cab flexing
Several days ago a crack appeared in the right side of my windshielsd, and it's getting longer and longer, according to marks I made on the inside. First I didn't have a clue, but last night I realized that it's probably caused by the cab flexing. (I have to drive through several speed bumps on my way home that are like 45 - 60 degrees to my direction, and probably that's why I have some excess flexing) I cannot do much with the speed bumps, but is there any way to strengthen the cab? I vaguely remmber reading about some kit that can be added.
TIA
TIA
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: San Antonio, Texas
Do you have any major rust cause I have had my top off and servral others that say flexing is not a big deal, and since your top is on, that is why I am leaning toward major rust or a pillar has been knocked loose.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Lynnwood, WA
Other than traces of rust at the tailgate, I'm not aware of any rust. I took a closer look yesterday, and still could not find any obvious cause (like a mark left by a rock hit); and since I've first noticed in one morning, the crack grew about 8" - 10". 
I'm almost certain that's the !@#$%^& angled speed bumps (drive through about a dozen daily
) are finally taking their toll. I just need to know how can I strengthen the cab or frame to reduce flexing. The windshield wasn't in a very good shape to begin with -- like half a dozen pockmarks left by objects hitting the windshield, though they are not in the vicinity of the crack, and were there well before the crack appeared. The thing is, I don't want to have the windshield replaced just to crack it anew a little later.
I'm almost certain that's the !@#$%^& angled speed bumps (drive through about a dozen daily
) are finally taking their toll. I just need to know how can I strengthen the cab or frame to reduce flexing. The windshield wasn't in a very good shape to begin with -- like half a dozen pockmarks left by objects hitting the windshield, though they are not in the vicinity of the crack, and were there well before the crack appeared. The thing is, I don't want to have the windshield replaced just to crack it anew a little later.
Last edited by aurgathor; Aug 2, 2005 at 03:19 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 656
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From: Houston
I have bad flex problems too. But my top has been off for about 14 yrs now. My window has not craked but I keep getting cracks in my cab that I have to drill holes to stop them from growing and squeeking. Man they can get loud. There use to be a fix for the cracks in the rain rails on the top of the doors which were designed to make the cap stronger, but it is not available anymore and I heard that it really didin't work. It would be a sad thing if u replaced the windshield and it cracked again. I think probable the only thing u could do to fix it would be to get a 6-8-10 piont Roll bar bolted in. That would stop the flexing.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: San Antonio, Texas
Well, you can have body shop gusset the pillars, but when a crack acurs in a winsheild, it usually grows with time and a new windsheild should not break from the normal flexing.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Lynnwood, WA
I believe I have more than "normal flexing". BTW, I just checked my door pillars today, and they're cracked too. They had some small, barely visible cracks there for a long time, but they're noticeably wider and very visible now..... 
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Elder User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Danville, Pa
I started to get the mystery cracks on the pilllars and gutters. I thought it was just normal wear and tear for my bronco. Later I found that the front pasenger side body mount had rotted away lending to the excess flex. Been meaning to fix that. 
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Lynnwood, WA
I kinda doubt that I have a problem with the body mounts since I'm not aware of any rot or more rust than a trace, but that can certainly cause the symptoms I'm seeing, so I'll do a thorough check over this weekend.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Newport News, VA
I recall reading one time that someone used some old valve springs to help reduce the body flex. They got longer bolts for the front and rear body mounts, dropped the bolt through the body and frame, washer, valve spring, washer and then lock nuts. This allowed the frame to flex but gave the body some more play. I'm not sure of any more details than that but it's something I'm contemplating if I ever get my pillar cracks repaired.
Jason
87 XLT 302
Jason
87 XLT 302
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Lynnwood, WA
That's a very interesting fix. Decoupling the cab from the frame should indeed reduce flex, but it may increase body roll, and the movement of the bolts can have some undesirable side effects, too. I'll look into the feasibility of this over the weekend.