My rear window exploded!

[RHeinz]

OK, last Monday I was on an off road camping trip out at Big Bend Ranch State Park. This place is west of Big Bend National Park and totally undeveloped…all dirt roads and un-maintained 4X4 trails and primitive campsites. The first day there setting up camp at Guale 1, I had the rear of the Bronco open with the rear window in the up position (horizontal) for more than 2 hours in the direct sunlight. When I went to close it, it bumped an aluminum tent pole and exploded. Very fragile, I assume due to the glass temperature from direct exposure to the sunlight. When I say exploded, shards of glass went 10 to 15 feet to either side of the vehicle. I almost felt like someone had shot it out of my hands.

My Ford dealer indicated $2K to fix/replace, but they have not done one yet, mine will be the first….

For anyone who has had this happen, does the entire window come as one piece, including all the attachment points that are glued to the glass?

I will know more about this early next week. Luckily the part(s?) are available here in Houston.

Does anyone think I can pursue a Ford warranty claim? If I recall correctly there have been previous posts about this. I’ll do a search for those.

Next time I’m camping I’ll carry a white towel to place over the window while it is in the up position.

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[60sIron]

Broken on a tent pole, not covered by warranty. You may get a better price from an auto glass shop. $2k seems pretty pricey

 

[Area51BS]

That sucks. ADM sucks even more.

 

[Area51BS]

There is an entire rear section for sale on Bronco parts trade for 4-500

disregard. Missing rear window.

 

[RHeinz]

Saw Flips rear window replacement post. Thanks Flip

 

[RHeinz]

Broken on a tent pole, not covered by warranty. You may get a better price from an auto glass shop. $2k seems pretty pricey

My point was, it’s extremely fragile….. I don’t think Ford will warrantee it either.

 

[Sandbergo]

It’s a piece of glass, plus you state you baked it in the sun then forced it down onto a metal tent pole. You could probably use your insurance company to replace it. I mean the glass could have had some sort of defect that was exacerbated by the heat and then pushed to failure when the pole contacted but I doubt you could piece it back together to find out.

 

[RHeinz]

It’s a piece of glass, plus you state you baked it in the sun then forced it down onto a metal tent pole. You could probably use your insurance company to replace it. I mean the glass could have had some sort of defect that was exacerbated by the heat and then pushed to failure when the pole contacted but I doubt you could piece it back together to find out.

Nope, more than 10 million pieces which became a major clean-up problem. I’m also not certain the glass contacted the tent pole….though it was in the area, propped up against the tail gate. There was no resistance and I have always closed it gently. Seriously!

 

[Sandbergo]

Had to be thermal stress from sitting in the direct sunlight propped open. It shouldn’t happen but I have heard of sunroofs popping as well. Throw some 70% almost clear tint on the new one and it will at least hold it together if God forbid it ever happens again. Hope they hook you up with a replacement at least.

 

[Lucky Nut]

I would take this as opportunity to get myself an aftermarket hard top.

 

[lakesinai]

OK, last Monday I was on an off road camping trip out at Big Bend Ranch State Park. This place is west of Big Bend National Park and totally undeveloped…all dirt roads and un-maintained 4X4 trails and primitive campsites. The first day there setting up camp at Guale 1, I had the rear of the Bronco open with the rear window in the up position (horizontal) for more than 2 hours in the direct sunlight. When I went to close it, it bumped an aluminum tent pole and exploded. Very fragile, I assume due to the glass temperature from direct exposure to the sunlight. When I say exploded, shards of glass went 10 to 15 feet to either side of the vehicle. I almost felt like someone had shot it out of my hands.

My Ford dealer indicated $2K to fix/replace, but they have not done one yet, mine will be the first….

For anyone who has had this happen, does the entire window come as one piece, including all the attachment points that are glued to the glass?

I will know more about this early next week. Luckily the part(s?) are available here in Houston.

Does anyone think I can pursue a Ford warranty claim? If I recall correctly there have been previous posts about this. I’ll do a search for those.

Next time I’m camping I’ll carry a white towel to place over the window while it is in the up position.

More likely an insurance replacement as it was hit by a tent pole. For less than $2,000, you could have a Besttop soft top, or an OEM soft top for $1,200.

 

[BigFootie]

Tempered glass. Did exactly as it was designed to do. Small chunks, not long shards of glass. By its properties, it’s under large internal stresses. Hot Texas sun and then concentrated stress point.

Sorry that it happened but it can’t be blamed on Ford. Of course it can be but technically, it isn’t the rear glass being too overly fragile.

 

[Billy Goat]

Don't know if you've seen those emergency glass breakers, they look like a very small spring loaded ballpoint pen. It actually doesn't take very much to shatter automotive glass if
it's hit just right. I've actually seen a sliding glass door window shatter from a pebble The dog kicked up walking by. Try car-part.com I've seen a some t-boned Broncos on there from time to time

 

[RHeinz]

I would take this as opportunity to get myself an aftermarket hard top.

I’m not sure why I would want to purchase an aftermarket hardtop at $6000 to $8000 (plus shipping?) when my existing OEM hardtop has remained flawless, doesn’t leak and is not too noisy. The vehicle was manufactured one year ago.

Any new aftermarket top is going to have its own set of problems. Not sure I want to keep being a beta tester. I owned an early Jeep Cherokee (square box) and the OEM fiberglass tailgate (hatchback? ) split completely in half above the window.

Replace with a ragtop? I have owned a few Jeeps with ragtops. In the dusty southwestern U.S. they don’t do much to keep the dust out... and then it’s a cleaning issue. Not too bad when you can just hose out a metal floor CJ. Perhaps the most recent ones are better, but that is specifically why I went with the Bronco hard top. In other parts of the country where it’s not so dry and dusty, the soft top may be a good option.

 

[Shawshank]

Broken on a tent pole, not covered by warranty. You may get a better price from an auto glass shop. $2k seems pretty pricey

Yes go to an auto glass shop! They have access to filing warranties/insurence claims as well. You do not have to go to the dealer. And it will be a lot cheaper paying out of pocket. In Canada I replaced a back window much like the broncos. And it cost me like $300-400 Canadian. Out of pocket no insurance ect.

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