New windshield help - 2005 LX 470

[outdoor7or24]

So I need to replace my lx windshield. Called safelite and requested OEM or Pilkington. Installer shows up with FYI branded windshield. The thickness of it was somewhere between 5/32nds and 3/16th of an inch thick. I used my tape measure so not super accurate but got me thinking I do not know the thickness of OEM. (Does anyone know - I'll search and post what I find)

Installer says he was going to remove molding, remove rivets, cold knife out, replace with screws.
I said stop!

After reading here and clublexus, it appears OEM windshield is the best for wind noise reduction, OEM rivets only and no screws (installer made negative comment about OEM rivets and showed me a pack in his truck), and OEM molding.

So my question(s):
(A) How critical is it to get OEM glass on an LX? I have read that @Jim_Chow had a successful aftermarket replacement, but it seems like most stress OEM.

......Is there anything else I need to request?
(B)Do I need to get factory rain sensing tape (I have this wiper option)?
(C) OEM moulding critical?
(D) OEM Rivets critical?

 

[geanes]

OEM only on an LX (LXs got sound deadening glass, LCs did not). The install is critical as a botched one can lead to MAJOR issues.

 

[Running Man]

And make sure they rivet the vertical trim back on, not screws which can cause rust.

What condition are your current moldings in? The glass companies will say they are reusable, but if any sign of being dried out, cracking, or don't sit right anymore due to previous bad install, then I would replace with new OEM.

I'm curious to hear if anyone knows about the automatic wiper sensor. I have an LX and would hate to lose this function.

 

[oakback]

I didn't realize this was a contested subject. I had them install whatever they had, which had to be ordered for matching the tint (brown vs. green glass). I've never had a problem with mine, and it's been through 2 minor hurricanes with no signs of leaks or weird lifting molding issues.

I guess I got lucky. At what point would I notice problems, if there were any?

 

[geanes]

I didn't realize this was a contested subject. I had them install whatever they had, which had to be ordered for matching the tint (brown vs. green glass). I've never had a problem with mine, and it's been through 2 minor hurricanes with no signs of leaks or weird lifting molding issues.

I guess I got lucky. At what point would I notice problems, if there were any?

A number of things could come up. Most see either "bubbling" paint along the top interface with the roof and/or on the A-pillars. Even if you never see water leaking thru the headliner, you could see this. SafeLite has always been good with other cars I own (TX has TONS of chipseal roads and TONS of BIG commercial trucks, so windshields don't last too long). LandCruisers require a little bit more attention to put in correct. As for the LX, it uses acoustic glass that results in less wind noise. For the LX, I would unquestionably require OEM glass. For an LC, I would take aftermarket with the correct install procedure.

 

[outdoor7or24]

Okay, I just got off the phone with SafeLite. $554.15 is the cost for OEM glass installed.
I looked up the cost of glass on lexuspartsnow.com
56111-60581
Glass, Windshield
*LAM,T=4.76,GREEN

*LAM,T=4.76,GREEN,W(RAIN SENSOR)

Part Name Code: 56111
Replaced by: 56111-60581-8N
$692.95 MSRP
$520.33 - Cost

I guess there could be some markup? The SafeLite install guy who came out yesterday told me $425.05.....

Since I am in South Carolina, I am supposed to get free glass replacement, but USAA insurance will only approve aftermarket and not OEM. SafeLite installer yesterday told me that insurance companies appear to only approve OEM for vehicles that are 12 months old or less...

Still have not found out how thick the OEM glass is.

I am scheduled for next Monday, so maybe I can find out thickness and report back.

Thanks for all the responses.

 

[geanes]

I would talk with your insurance company. The LandCruiser had conventional windshield glass that is readily available in aftermarket variants. The Lexus LX had a specific "acoustic" glass (later LXs offered a variation that accommodated their NightVision feature). Explain to them that an aftermarket glass does NOT get your LX back to its spec and is, in fact, a significant downgrade. I highly doubt most insurance companies realize the difference.

Never asked: how bad is the current windshield? Not something that could be "filled" with epoxy?

 

[outdoor7or24]

Yes I'll talk to them again, good talking points.
Windshield is bad...

 

[geanes]

I would mention it along the lines of the following analogy: if they were to replace the dash trim in the truck would they go with aftermarket fake wood, OEM Toyota (fake wood) or OEM Lexus (real wood)? LCs use fake wood, so going with an alternative fake wood is similar enough. LXs use real wood, so fake wood isn't similar enough.

 

[Couvi]

I had the windshield replaced in my ‘04 LC (after a rock hit dead center) in July and requested they use OEM glass. I had to talk with my agent, but it was covered. Safelite did a great job — used rivets and followed correct procedure as I was paranoid about leaks.

 

[outdoor7or24]

Thanks @Couvi for the info. (I used to live in Germantown when I was very young).
Who do you have insurance with?

I had the windshield replaced in my ‘04 LC (after a rock hit dead center) in July and requested they use OEM glass. I had to talk with my agent, but it was covered. Safelite did a great job — used rivets and followed correct procedure as I was paranoid about leaks.

 

[Bloembuild]

Interesting. I have a land cruiser with a lx 470 windshield. That said, paint has started to bubble around the top of the windshield. I want it removed so that it can be repaired. Is it possible to remove the glass without breaking it, repair the window frame, then put it back in?

 

[Couvi]

Thanks @Couvi for the info. (I used to live in Germantown when I was very young).
Who do you have insurance with?

We use Met Life. At first, I didn’t think they’d approve my request for OEM - I’m glad I asked, they did a great job on the installation. That’s cool you lived here, we like the area.

 

[shakeandpop]

OEM only on an LX (LXs got sound deadening glass, LCs did not). The install is critical as a botched one can lead to MAJOR issues.

I've read similar musings on this and another board. Is there some definitive proof that we can point to that says the LX glass is quieter than the LC glass? I'm potentially replacing a windshield in the coming weeks and if the LX glass has "sound deadening" properties I would consider using that. (assuming the LX glass would fit in my '02 LC)

Can anyone point me to some hard evidence that the LX has these sound deadening properties?

 

[Chuychanga]

Related question... if the previous owner went cheap on a windshield replacement and they used screws instead of rivets will I be able to go back to OEM rivets on a subsequent replacement or will the screws have bored the holes too large?

 

[wsmiller]

Related question... if the previous owner went cheap on a windshield replacement and they used screws instead of rivets will I be able to go back to OEM rivets on a subsequent replacement or will the screws have bored the holes too large?

It really depends on the size of the screws they used and how many times it has been replaced in the past. The OEM rivets are quite small and if they have been drilled out a couple times I would bet that you would need a larger rivet. When I fixed the hack job that the last windshield place did, I was able to use the OEM rivets in a few places but I had to use some larger rivets in the places that were trashed. In my case there were only two screws used on each side, but there are four rivet holes on each side so some of them were ok.

 

[NoVaGator]

Rivets: Safelight likes to use larger rivets these days, but they don't require enlarging the original holes. (I think they refer to them as Camry rivets.)

I've dealt with two jacked up windshield frames now, and on one of them the previous install used a combination of screws and rivets. The screw holes were over-sized and rusted, and some of them were in the wrong locations. I prepped and filled these holes with body solder, and then drilled out new holes. It's useful to wait until you have trim on-hand to drill these new holes. I *suspect* that in many cases a windshield installer chooses to drill new holes when they install the trim inaccurately and discover that the trim holes don't line up with body holes.

 

[timjtitus]

I’m about to order trim parts for a windshield replacement. Is it normal to replace the aluminum trim the rivets go into or just the rubber on top? I’ve got a non original windshield with rivets, no sign of rust.

 

[WRP2]

I’m about to have my LX windshield replaces by Safelight. I’ve already checked the molding and can see/feel that the last time the windshield was replaced the shop used metal screws. My question is this; since I know that the original holes are already going to be enlarged by the use of the screws, what/where can I source a similar style rivet but in a larger diameter? My hope is to still be able to use an appropriate rivet of some sort in place of metal self tapping screws again. Thanks for any insight everyone!

 

[Biga27110]

I’m about to have my LX windshield replaces by Safelight. I’ve already checked the molding and can see/feel that the last time the windshield was replaced the shop used metal screws. My question is this; since I know that the original holes are already going to be enlarged by the use of the screws, what/where can I source a similar style rivet but in a larger diameter? My hope is to still be able to use an appropriate rivet of some sort in place of metal self tapping screws again. Thanks for any insight everyone!

I believe Ford has some larger diameter rivets that many have used for this specific case.