Real-time windshield install advice please?

[oftpiste]

Just dropped my '03 LC off at Safelight for a new windshield. After reading lots of stuff here I thought I was well prepared but am still left with a couple of questions.

I insisted they do the instal according to FSM. Rivets and all.

The tech, who seemed reasonable knowledgable, said they re-use the side trim pieces and sometimes use screws instead of rivets as the rivets can enlarge the holes.

New side trim pieces are $150 each and I didn't ask for them. Should I?

I insisted again on rivets, but is he right and should use screws? They're just getting started so I could still change course......

Thanks!

 

[sseaman]

When mine was replaced the trim was reused, the tech also used screws but after it looked like the previous install messed up the original holes. It was a world of difference with the replacement, it was apparent the previous replacement was done all wrong and had a lot of wind noise.

 

[oftpiste]

thanks ss. I have wind noise in the upper passenger side now, tech said these windshields were prone to it because of the design of the upper replacement trim and said it's possible it will still be noisy which would be sad as that's the main reason I'm replacing.

 

[TXLX100]

Smh. Don't use screws. It needs rivets, the proper size rivets.

 

[oftpiste]

will stick with rivets, thanks!

 

[TXLX100]

will stick with rivets, thanks!

Toyota or lexus should have them on hand. Might vary in size a bit

 

[PADDO]

tech said these windshields were prone to it because of the design of the upper replacement trim.

Not true. Those of us who remember driving their new LC/LX home from the dealer will recall how quiet they were with no wind noise. I've had a noisy, incorrectly installed shield replaced correctly by a guy who does many LC/LXs in my region and there is zero wind noise. It ain't the design, it's the quality of the installation.

 

[oftpiste]

Hoping that it comes out quiet. If not I'll be bugging them. He said the reason is that from the factory the upper trim molding had a piece of foam under it that is no longer made or part of the OEM trim package. We shall see!

I wish it were easier to just get things done right. In spite of lots of research on who I engage, I've just had too many instances lately where I need to harangue people to keep their promises about the kind of work they do and it gets real old real quick.

Not true. Those of us who remember driving their new LC/LX home from the dealer will recall how quiet they were with no wind noise. I've had a noisy, incorrectly installed shield replaced correctly by a guy who does many LC/LXs in my region and there is zero wind noise. It ain't the design, it's the quality of the installation.

 

[NOSAJ]

Yeah I took mine back to safelight about 3 times after they installed it with screws. I then took it to another recommended shop and they said the same thing "that rivets aren't used and that they use screws. And that the wind noise is caused by the roof rack etc" I gave up and just decided to live with it. I hate going to the dealership but I probably should have. I do all my own maintenance so I really can't stand letting someone else work on my vehicles because things usually don't get done right!

 

[m3fan]

Whoever installed mine also very strongly insisted on screws, as if there was absolutely zero question as to how it would be installed. I removed the screws and riveted it myself, with a dab of RTV on every rivet. I had to use a variety of rivet sizes. After it's riveted there is a rubber trim strip that goes over the rivets in that channel on both sides.

 

[2001LC]

The Factory rivets are in a plastic sleeve, which protect paint from nicks. Any nick under the windshield or molding is sure to rust, and get out of control before visible. If rust get too bad Safelite will not even except the replacement job. Repairing rust around windshield runs from $1,500 to $5,000 to repair, OUCH.

Each time a windshield is removed, the tech will nick and scratch the paint with his tools. In many cases these nicks or scratchs will expose bare metal. Safelite has an auto primer from sika, that is to be used on every nick or rust spot along with a activator for rust. Unfortunately many times it is not used, or nicks are just not seen.

Additionally some tech put the moldings on incorrectly by removing tape cover and sticking on first, rather than riveting first. This often scratch the paint with the metal reinforcement inside the molding when installing this way. Some just drill 1 or 2 new holes, only using screws into these holes.

I'm going to only use shops that allow me in to inspect for scratch & nicks, procedure and proper rivets from now on.

FYI: There is a TSB and kits for wind noise IIRC.

 

[OG 91 LC]

I asked the guys at Safelite to use rivets and they did. The reason I went with Safelite is that they are a national brand with deep pockets. The windshield and the work done on my truck is guranteed for the life of the truck. If something should occur or go wrong they have the money to repair my truck.

And I do recall the tech at Safelite using a primer on the nicks. I stood next to the tech throughout the entire install.

One year later and all is good.

 

[oftpiste]

Thanks for all the thoughts and info. They did use rivets on mine, but there are no trim pieces that cover them in that channel. There wasn't such a thing before I took it in either. Perhaps I should go back and insist they install them since I was repeatedly very clear I wanted the installation done according to the FSM. I didn't stand by and watch the work though. Probably should have.

I agree about the reason to use Safelight because of the guarantee. If indeed there is a trim piece that's supposed to cover the rivets I'll ask for it and they'll probably provide it if I can demonstrate I'm right.

Haven't had the opportunity to get the truck to the speed where the wind noise showed up in the past, but I'm not willing to live with it if it;s still present. The shop manage did go out of his way to state that he couldn't promise no wind noise, but it seems to me a quiet windshield is certainly implied in a new installation if done correctly. Am I right about this?

Edit: just looked at TSB's for '03's and didn't see one related to wind noise. But looking at them makes me wonder: are these things one can go to the dealer to repair at their cost. pr at least to find out which have been done or not?

 

[2001LC]

FAQ under 1998 LC:

CHANGE TO REDUCE WIND NOISE FROM UPPER REAR CORNER OF FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW
Service Bulletin : 001704 - APR 17, 2000 NHTSA Item #: 610085

MOON ROOF WIND THROB NOISE
Service Bulletin : NV00200 - JAN 14, 2000 NHTSA Item #: 610064

WIND NOISE FROM THE UPPER REAR CORNER OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW
Service Bulletin : NV00100 - JAN 07, 2000 NHTSA Item #: 610063

 

[Emcd]

Mine glass installer replaced like the trim. It was part of the complete window replacement even though my trim was in excellent condition. They ground down the rust and applied primer/rust inhibitor. They had to use larger rivets because the last window guy had no clue how to correctly install. Here are some pictures

 

[2001LC]

I see a couple of rust spots on the A pillar, they must be from tooling marks of old job. I'm correcting the same marks.