Cracked windshield on 2010, at the rate windshields crack does non oem matter - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

synch22 · 06-11-2011, 01:05 PM

Sure since the car is newer my insurance will cover oem...after some pleading and begging of course but is it even worth it? Windshields come and go on a multi year basis it seems. I think i can even get a non oem for less than my $500 deductible. Any thoughts or opinions??

***arabianobsession*** · 06-11-2011, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synch22

Sure since the car is newer my insurance will cover oem...after some pleading and begging of course but is it even worth it? Windshields come and go on a multi year basis it seems. I think i can even get a non oem for less than my $500 deductible. Any thoughts or opinions??

My 2011 Camry's windshield got smashed when it had 400 miles on it. And it was only from a gin bottle (long story). A coworker had his Camry windshield crack at 5000 miles by going over a bump.....

We both replaced ours with a $200 aftermarket windshield. 1 year later, with 5600 miles on mine and 12,000 miles on his, they're both in perfect shape.

My opinion: OEM isn't going to hold up as well as non-OEM (why I don't know).

Ralph6410 · 06-11-2011, 02:22 PM

I suspect that the OEM installation process is not as forgiving as the "second time around". To compensate for irregularities the second time installers likely use more / thicker / flexible caulking, this prevents stresses from building.. which leads to cracks. Glass will only crack if it is under stress.. A rock chip no matter how big will not, on its own, cause the windshield to crack.
I understand that the third party windshields are made from thinner glass.. however they serve the purpose so cheapest is likely good enough..

Wayward_Traveller · 06-13-2011, 10:41 AM

The last 2 windshields I had replaced, which were the only 2 I ever had replaced and they were within 6 months of each other were done by:
http://www.safelite.com/?WT.srch=1

They were both under reasonably priced installed,
I just did an instant quote on the Highlander and with the Front Windshield, Heated Wiper Park Area, Heated it came to $361 installed.
And I never had a problem with either one of them.
They come to your house or to your office and do it in the parking lot.

gchu · 06-14-2011, 11:21 AM

On the truck I had traded in for my Highlander, I used the safelite route.... Their quality was horrible - not the glass but the installation

1 - They forgot to install the rearview mirror wiring trim (it had homelink/compass/auto-dim). Luckily I found it on the passenger floor when I realized the wire wasn't normally exposed

2 - They couldn't get the cowl trim back on right (didn't know that when they left) so they just used the black adhesive to glue it in place. I found out as I was driving on the highway a few days later the black adhesive oozed out and ran all over both sides of the truck - it was impossible to clean off

3 - Once the black adhesive oozed out, the cowls would whistle/rattle at highway speeds

4 - The most minor thing was they actually installed my wipers wrong (their's a passenger side vs. a driver side due to the lengths). Fortunately I noticed it before it rained and used the wipers (would have hit the windshield pillar!)

Crazy part was the guy doing was bragging about how he had been installing windshields for almost 5 years now and he's one of their 'best"

Fortunately, I traded in my truck before I got to the point of dealing with them and any insurance company to fix their quality issues......

I used to work in automotive (design and manufacturing engineering) and windshields are sources of quality issues - not just the obvious of clarity and visibility, but also unwanted glares/relections as well as the installation can cause water leaks as well as wind noise - not from leak paths but if the windshield doesn't sit properly, it can cause whistle and other unwanted turbulance.

Then again, this is just one person's experience..... They are around alot of different areas so they must be doing something right to stay in business.....

Limited11 · 06-28-2011, 09:55 PM

I have a cracked windshield on my 11' and I have Safelite coming in the am to do the replace at my house. I hope I don't have the experience like you did gchu. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Limited11 · 06-30-2011, 08:15 PM

Safelite did the install yesterday and installed an aftermarket windshield which he said is made by the same company who makes windshields for Toyota so it's not really aftermarket but it is, but anyways, the whole job took about an hour and I was out watching the installer during most of it. I'm pleased with the result so for anyone needing a new windshield Safelite worked for me.

mikmabz · 06-30-2011, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limited11

Safelite did the install yesterday and installed an aftermarket windshield which he said is made by the same company who makes windshields for Toyota so it's not really aftermarket but it is, but anyways, the whole job took about an hour and I was out watching the installer during most of it. I'm pleased with the result so for anyone needing a new windshield Safelite worked for me.

Hi! Just wanna know if the aftermarket windshield also has that heating element for the wipers. How much did it cost you for the replacement? Thanks.

Limited11 · 07-01-2011, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikmabz

Hi! Just wanna know if the aftermarket windshield also has that heating element for the wipers. How much did it cost you for the replacement? Thanks.

I have full coverage insurance and made a claim. It didn't cost me anything, but if I didn't have it the bill would've been around $550. When I made the claim they asked me if my winshield had the wiper de-icer and the tinted glass at the top which I told them yes to both. They placed the order and Safelite came the next day with the proper windshield. There's a 3 wire harness that comes out of the bottom of the windshield and the installer said he believes the antenna for the radio runs through it as well.

grandpapa · 07-01-2011, 10:37 AM

Most of the windshield glass in my areas are from the same suppliers according to my dealer and the Safelite guy (I have done 2 replacement under Safelite, no trouble, very professional)

To me if you have $500 deductable, may as well go find a shop and have it replaced. Most of the time is less then that. Only when you have insurance, the price goes up, just like seeing a doctor

No need to worry about windshield has heated element or sunshaded area, as mentioned before, they are comes from the same suppliers (at least in my areas) so they match just like the factory glass

Wayward_Traveller · 07-01-2011, 05:43 PM

Also to note, if they are going to bill insurance it will be over $500 if you do it yourself through safelite it's only the $361 with the heated glass.
My last 2 were both under $200 to get installed
So most of the time unless you have glass coverage it's better to do it yourself.
I have glass coverage on all my Toyotas so it's only $100.

ingko · 07-09-2011, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limited11

Safelite did the install yesterday and installed an aftermarket windshield which he said is made by the same company who makes windshields for Toyota so it's not really aftermarket but it is, but anyways, the whole job took about an hour and I was out watching the installer during most of it. I'm pleased with the result so for anyone needing a new windshield Safelite worked for me.

Can you take a picture of your new Safelite windshield? I'm concerned that the Safelite won't have the black dot matrix tint isn't on it like it does with the OEM.

Wayward_Traveller · 07-11-2011, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ingko

Can you take a picture of your new Safelite windshield? I'm concerned that the Safelite won't have the black dot matrix tint isn't on it like it does with the OEM.

When I had mine done on my silverado back in a few years it did.

Limited11 · 07-11-2011, 08:33 PM

I looked today it has the dot matrix in like a U shape where the rear view mirror mounts as well as it's slightly tinted towards the top part of the entire windshield

Yazon · 07-12-2011, 10:48 AM

A few things to keep in mind:

1) there is cheap glass and good glass. Safelite is known to install cheap glass that is noticeably worse than the OEM. Sometimes, after windshield replacement one will notice that the glass is wavy, especially if you look through it at an angle other than 90*. The surface also appears to be somewhat uneven.

2) Good aftermarket brands that also produce OEM glass for many automakers are: PPG and Pilkington. You should be able to request brand from the installer, but it may raise the price when compared to generic Safelite glass.

3) After install - keep windows open and do not take off the tape right away (installer will explain).

4) find a reputable place with good reviews on Yelp/BBB to install your windshield and go there. They are likely to do a better job (you don't want any leaks through the seals when you go to wash your car) and give better warranty.

I had to replace glass on my wife's car and chose a local, privately owned installer (i believe Safelite is a franchise, but not 100% sure). This way I got better glass, they billed my insurance, so it was free for me. The money supported a shop in my community vs a mobile installer from another area and money going to national headquarters.

You don't have to follow these suggestions, but that's what i did and had good experience, got good product and was a happy camper after the install.