Door glass keeps breaking!!!!

[Indychus]

Ok, I am really frustrated here. When I bought my '52, the door glass was cracked on both sides. I had a local shop cut the glass for me and I installed it. Less than 2 weeks later, the passenger side cracked again. I had it cut once again. Today the driver side cracked. I rolled the window down, cruised around a good bit today running errands, and it was cracked when I rolled it back up.

I am not slamming the doors hard or anything, and the glass company assures me that they are using the correct glass for the application...

I do need new run channels and seals, but I'm on a tight (read: zero) budget and did not replace them. The original channels are in bad shape, but they are all there and the glass does not flop around.

Any ideas??

[Steves32]

Money for new glass but none to replace the channels & seals?
Cut the glass & have then send it out to be tempered.

["T'RANTULA"]

Im thinkin the glass is rattling around inside the door while your driving and then breaking. shouldent door glass be tempered? Sounds like you are describeing pane glass?

[brewsir]

should be laminated safety glass ...and you need to fix the channels. I have heard of using the fuzzy side of velcro to line the channel but have not tried it yet.

[Indychus]

The glass they used looks just like the original glass in the rear doors... it's two pieces with the green tint sandwiched between them. I'll have to ask if it's tempered or not.

I guess I'll have to spring for the channels and seals... in SC insurance pays for the glass, so it hasn't cost me anything so far... I've been putting all my money into a 292 inline six that will get swapped in eventually.

[49ratfink]

my old 49 Chevy sedan had all new glass and fuzzys. it cracked all by itself while driving along minding my own business. when I gave it a close look I could see it was not polished well on the topside where they cut it. maybe your glass guy sucks?

there are glass people on here, maybe one will show up and answer.

[squirrel]

Originally Posted by Indychus

The glass they used looks just like the original glass in the rear doors... it's two pieces with the green tint sandwiched between them. I'll have to ask if it's tempered or not.

That is laminated, not tempered. It is like the original glass. They didn't start using tempered glass for doors until the early-mid 60s.

Not only do you need to replace the channels and the fuzzy strips along the edge of the door, you also need to make sure everything is aligned, adjusted, etc. The shop manual might help

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...9_53/index.htm

.

[31Vicky with a hemi]

Side glass should be tempered. It should shatter into 47 million square shaped pieces. This allows you to get out in an emergency. It shouldn't be plate glass or two ply safety glass.
Who know what it came with but what ever you are putting in isn't working.
It also needs to be polished on the edges.

[tfeverfred]

Originally Posted by Indychus

The glass they used looks just like the original glass in the rear doors... it's two pieces with the green tint sandwiched between them. I'll have to ask if it's tempered or not.

I guess I'll have to spring for the channels and seals... in SC insurance pays for the glass, so it hasn't cost me anything so far... I've been putting all my money into a 292 inline six that will get swapped in eventually.

The glass you described is called "laminated". It cracks, but does not shatter into bits. It's easy to crack it. Tempered is hard to shatter, but it'll still shatter. For a door glass that's flat, laminated will work. I'd actually prefer it, if a choice was made.

I'm not sure what type was available in '53, but laminated will be cheaper and easier to find, even if tempered is even available.

Regardless, you need the channels to keep the glass from moving around and cracking or shattering.

[brewsir]

Originally Posted by 31Vicky with a hemi

Side glass should be tempered. It should shatter into 47 million square shaped pieces. This allows you to get out in an emergency. It shouldn't be plate glass or two ply safety glass.
Who know what it came with but what ever you are putting in isn't working.
It also needs to be polished on the edges.

So you spend the extra bucks to have custom tempered door glass made?? I understand the reasoning but can't agree with it.

[jan bogert]

you can have the glass co. make them out of 1/4" float glass, and have them send them out for tempering. or i vend in the felt door glass channels, and felt wiskers. any one you need. there 8 ft. $20.00 each plus shipping. JAN. the glass is going to make you broke if you keep breaking them. your call!!!

[rld14]

How are the window stops? If those are shot it's gonna rattle around. Glass doesn't like that.

Ditto on the channels and window stops.

[tb33anda3rd]

are you in the habit of slamming the door?

[Indychus]

I'm sure everything was adjusted properly, I installed them per the service manual and have done a good deal of glass work, just never on anything this old.

Guess I just need new soft parts to make it work, which was what i was thinking anyways and you guys confirmed it.

Jan, I'll send you a PM when I have some cash to throw your way.

Thanks a lot for the quick responses.

[Indychus]

Originally Posted by tb33anda3rd

are you in the habit of slamming the door?

Nope, although my wife can't seem to understand that you don't have to slam them even though it's 60 years old. Something about old cars makes people want to slam the damn doors....

[ArchangelKustom]

Glass cracks when its overstressed - doesn't matter if its tempered, laminated, or plate.
You've either got some twist in the tracks or even the car door itself, or the tracks are too tight and pinching. The position of the crack may indicate the source of stress.

If you want to be super cheap, try a layer of friction tape along the edges of the glass where they contact the tracks.

[SAM123]

Nobody really hit on it yet but cranking too tight to close the window puts uneven stress on the glass (and even more overnight with temp change) and will crack any glass installation has to allow for movement ... check it in th "UP" position.

but either way you have laminate glass ... the tempered glass is cut BEFORE tempering (sent out) ..... which is the common product on newer cars

Edit :ArchangelKustom ... good call on stress .... we be fast!

[tb33anda3rd]

Originally Posted by Indychus

Nope, although my wife can't seem to understand that you don't have to slam them even though it's 60 years old. Something about old cars makes people want to slam the damn doors....

people are just used to new cars with tight seals and air tight passenger compartments.

[badlefihand]

Check the channel, the pieces are held on door frame by very small flat head screws. If one screw is worked loose and sticking out a bit your glass will catch its edge and a run will start. You dont need tempered glass unless you got money to toss. Find out what is wrong before you do anything.

[Ob1]

Does the new cut glass have the corners rounded with a sander? or squared off as cut?