Side Glass Shattered

[77IndyStepside]

Passenger side side glass just cracked into 1000 pieces the other day for no apparent reason.  Heat?  It did not fall apart - just became like a tiny jigsaw puzzle.  Has anyone heard of that happening just randomly with no apparent outside influence? 

Will I be able to call a local glass company to replace the side glass of a truck this old (77 GMC)?  I guess I could find a replacement glass at a parts yard and attempt the job myself, but no experience with glass install. 

[jaredts]

I don't think heat would do it.  Something hit it.  You can put in a junkyard glass pretty easily or new ones should be available from a local glass company.

[1980c10]

auto windows are made from tempered glass, tempered glass is made to break up in tiny pieces for saftey reasons. It can be hit and break 10 minutes later or right away. If you look for a salvage yard window the glass was made thicker in later years, I believe after '80 or so. You can change it yourself but it is a little involved but in the end its just nuts and bolts.

[Blazin]

81 or 82 and newer the glass is thinner by a fair amount. Older glass will fit though as most times the felt window strips are hosed out anyway. As far as swapping it over is pretty easy. You will need a 7/16 1/4 drive socket, ratchet and short extension to remove the window regulator from the door shell. Phillips screw driver for the interior panel, and a window crank clip tool, or a rag to remove the window crank handle. Once the regulator is free you can slide the track with the broken glass off of it while its still inside the door. Vacuum out the broken glass. Slide the new glass down into the door from outside the window opening at a 90 degree angle to the way it sits when installed. Turn it bottom down, slide it onto the regulator, and re bolt the regulator to the door.

I have had side windows break for no reason as well. Well no apparent reason anyway! 

[77IndyStepside]

Found a local glass company that did the job this afternoon for $120 bucks mobile service in my driveway.  Seemed like a smokin' deal to me so I went with it.  He did a good job and the new glass works well - although a little tighter than the original. 

It's so dang clean and clear, I want the other side done now!!!