How bad is a big star in the front window?
 

Since a stone hit the front window of our landcruiser (hj61) two days back, we've got a big 'star' in the righthand corner (about 10 cm in diameter) and cracks of about 30 cm going towards the middle of the window. We're now in the south of Morocco heading for Maurtanie and some more serious pistes... Mechanics here tell us not to worry, the window is double, will crack a bit further, but to no harm, we should be abl to drive anothr year with it...
A new winow has to came from Casa, takes a coupl of days and 200 euro...
Is it worth waiting for? Or will we easily find second-hand or new windows for less in Nouakchot? Or should we just laugh about it and continue merrily?
Thanks for all advice,
Karolien

Just keep driving. They have some stuff here in the us to fill the crack and keep it from going farther, but don't worry about it. Fix it when you get home.

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John

Hi, Karolien

When you need to start using the windscreen wipers you may end up with a problem depending on how rough the surface of the window has become- but south of Morocco I don't suppose that will be an issue anyway.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

J

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Johnefyn

In modern cars the windscreen is structural (bonded in) and would cause a problem. You don't need to worry structurally although the cracks could create sharp little scales which fall onto your lap when you drive on corrugations (and you will)

BUT

The windscreen costs 200 euros, how much are you going to shell out in baksheesh?
Damage like that is the perfect excuse for a man in uniform to extort money from you.

Personally I would change the screen, keep the receipt and try to get the money back from the insurance when I return.

Good luck and have fun
Luke

Hi Karolien,

I would have the screen repaired, just because a broken screen might weight on enjoying the trip.

Nouakchot has quite some Toyota spare parts, but it might not be cheaper.

Rob

I had a 10cm star in the screen of my Defender for two years and it was fine - and that included corrugations, dune fields etc as well as road work. (and a lot of offroad, 15000 miles/yr). Keep an eye on it but dont fret overmuch.

Hi,
Our Defender windscreen got cracked by a stone in Argentina in November '03. We'll get it repaired when we get back to the UK. It's a little cheaper than 200Euros to get it repaired, but it's not been a problem, so we thought we'd not tempt fate by putting in a nice new one...!

It's spread a bit, but can't be felt on the inside or outside of the glass.

Despite being a large and noticeable crack, it's never even been an opening gambit for extortion, though meybe we've been lucky with that.

If you do replace yours in deepest darkest, make sure the new one's OEM, or be very sure it's safety glass. Certainly with a flat sceen like the Defender, it's likely you'll be sold a nice piece of shop window glass or similar.

Rgds,

Michael
www.expeditionoverland.com