I have a 22" horizontal crack on the passenger side, been scared to replace it due to the horror stories of xB ws cracking over and over again. 'Stress' and 'flex' do not belong in the same sentence with glass.

Is there something I can insert or 'float' the windshield with, to prevent the new glass from cracking? Impact cracks are one thing (around here, it's the kamikaze birds you have to watch out for) but body flex?

Is there a more flexible windshield I can use? poly/plastic/acrylic? Or is there a way to strengthen the front part of the xB's frame?

 

have a strut tower bar installed, may help with some of the flex.

And our windshield are " floating" on a bed of RTV ( thats what holds em in)

And just get real friendly with a glass installer, he just might be your best friend.

 

There is more to it than friendliness...
There are brands of glass that are better than other brands for our XB's.
I can not recall what was the recommended brand and I can't rember the bad brands.
I am still on my first windshiels, but I remember Thomas posted great info about his replacement problems.

Search all windshield threads until you find that correct brand of glass to request.

Once you find it, could you please post it here so we all can refer to it?

 

Just make sure you request an OEM gasket and windshield when you get it replaced, I had mine replaced about 6 months ago and he put in a generic gasket and windshield, It looked like ____ so I had him pull the new windshield off and replace both the windshield and gasket with OEM parts and it looks as good as new.

Only bad news is I was wailed with a little pea sized pebble and have a new divot that is just waiting to crack..