Safelite Windshield replacement (with rust!?) (1 Viewer)

[summy]

Hey all,
Need a new windshield for the 1999 TLC and Safelite told me this morning they will not do it because of the “severe rust” that is around the windshield. Hoping to get some advice on next steps before just taking it to someone else, for example should it be going into a body shop first?

 

[delz05]

Personally, I would not let Safelite change my wiper blades... Too many "rookies" being given jobs that they have no idea how to repair/replace glass without causing damage or issues... Amazing that they can diagnose your issue with the glass in place. Looks like someone has attempted a repair in that area in the past (paint tape line visible).

In any case... have a well known and established shop pull the windshield, then inspect further, to see the extent of the rust. Repair the windshield frame accordingly and have that same shop install the new glass.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Safelite's done the few windshields I've had replaced on my 100, all have been excellent. Just need to make sure the installer understands the rivets. I also had some rust along the upper edge and the tech showed me what he'd done to remediate it, did a great job.

 

[Tmparker05]

Depending on what you find when you remove the glass it could be nothing or could be a BIG deal. For me Safelite said the same thing to me. I got a separate quote of 4K to fix the issue from a body shop here in Ny. I ended up having safelite remove the windshield and went ahead and repaired the issues myself then asked them to reinstall when I was ready. Worked out well in the end but took some time getting the right technician to show up. They all tell you that they know what to do but then you mention rivets and they go a bit cross eyed.

 

[kevgentile]

I'd go to a highly reputable collision center and get their glass company contact. Look for a collision center that is certified by there dealer network. Most of these facilities sublet the front and rear glass work out. You can have the glass company do the removal/install and do the rust repair as you see fit.

Our shop does a lot of business with a Porsche, Audi, and Lexus certified collision center and they sublet all their windshield removals/installs and we go thru the same company when we need glass work done.

 

[ClassyJalopy]

I was in a very similar situation a few years ago. I would vouch for Safelite - they stand behind their work in my experience.

I talked to a local body shop and had them call Safelite to pull the glass at their floor. Once they fixed the rust (I paid around $600 for the rust repair), they called Safelite to come back and install the new glass. I explained the glass guy that I need rivets and not the body screws. He knew exactly what I meant and was happy to comply.

My experience was shared here: HELP! I am about to get screwed! - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/help-i-am-about-to-get-screwed.1170125/

 

[hoser]

@summy Interesting how the windshield gap at the top center is different than the driver's side.... like as if the windshield was installed crooked or body work done to the roof area. What does the passenger side look like?

 

[suprarx7nut]

In general I would say for the 100: If you can see rust along the upper edge with the windshield in place, chances are good it's going to look *awful* once you pull the glass out. I think Safelite was wise here.

My windshield job involved a lot of body work to prepare for the new glass and it looked better than yours in these pics.

Here was the worst spot, but there was more minor damage in other areas. With the glass and trim in place this was just a tiny area that was obviously rough.

Previously drilled trim mounting locations from past installers:

 

[summy]

@summy Interesting how the windshield gap at the top center is different than the driver's side.... like as if the windshield was installed crooked or body work done to the roof area. What does the passenger side look like?

Really good eye. Checked this out when I saw your message, and the glass was totally out of alignment. Just had it replaced today and asked the tech what he thought happened and he said probably a poor installation the last time. Nothing wrong with the body. Looked at the new glass and he did an awesome job, everything lines up and sealed well. Just grinned down the surface rust, reseal and have a good day.

 

[summy]

In general I would say for the 100: If you can see rust along the upper edge with the windshield in place, chances are good it's going to look *awful* once you pull the glass out. I think Safelite was wise here.

My windshield job involved a lot of body work to prepare for the new glass and it looked better than yours in these pics.

Here was the worst spot, but there was more minor damage in other areas. With the glass and trim in place this was just a tiny area that was obviously rough.
View attachment 3660804

Previously drilled trim mounting locations from past installers:
View attachment 3660813

Odds were in my favor! Lots of flavor on the surface but grinded it all down and there was good metal right underneath. New shield looks great.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Odds were in my favor! Lots of flavor on the surface but grinded it all down and there was good metal right underneath. New shield looks great.

Very nice. Did they repaint with primer/base/clear before putting the glass back in?

 

[summy]

Personally, I would not let Safelite change my wiper blades... Too many "rookies" being given jobs that they have no idea how to repair/replace glass without causing damage or issues... Amazing that they can diagnose your issue with the glass in place. Looks like someone has attempted a repair in that area in the past (paint tape line visible).

In any case... have a well known and established shop pull the windshield, then inspect further, to see the extent of the rust. Repair the windshield frame accordingly and have that same shop install the new glass.

Nothing more than some flavor on the surface that could just be grinded down.

Very nice. Did they repaint with primer/base/clear before putting the glass back in?

Sure did.

 

[pwil393]

Crazy right? Glad you were able to get yours figured out.

I have been dealing with this on my ‘04 the last two days. I’m in CO and we go through windshields like crazy here. I took my leaking windshield back to Safelite Monday and they refused to work on it due to rust. Funny thing is they put on two different windshields since last November. Both were faulty installs. Luckily my insurance is assisting with it all.

As a result of the past two days, I have found two reliable windshield shops here around Denver - thanks to the forum and local Denver LC groups. Both shops know about the complexity of the moulding/rivets and that previous faulty windshield installs will lead to rust on any vehicle.

 

[lupe7258]

Crazy right? Glad you were able to get yours figured out.

I have been dealing with this on my ‘04 the last two days. I’m in CO and we go through windshields like crazy here. I took my leaking windshield back to Safelite Monday and they refused to work on it due to rust. Funny thing is they put on two different windshields since last November. Both were faulty installs. Luckily my insurance is assisting with it all.

As a result of the past two days, I have found two reliable windshield shops here around Denver - thanks to the forum and local Denver LC groups. Both shops know about the complexity of the moulding/rivets and that previous faulty windshield installs will lead to rust on any vehicle.

I'm in the Denver area and dealing with the same issue. I'd love to know where you got yours replaced/repaired (assuming all went well). Thanks!

 

[suprarx7nut]

Crazy right? Glad you were able to get yours figured out.

I have been dealing with this on my ‘04 the last two days. I’m in CO and we go through windshields like crazy here. I took my leaking windshield back to Safelite Monday and they refused to work on it due to rust. Funny thing is they put on two different windshields since last November. Both were faulty installs. Luckily my insurance is assisting with it all.

As a result of the past two days, I have found two reliable windshield shops here around Denver - thanks to the forum and local Denver LC groups. Both shops know about the complexity of the moulding/rivets and that previous faulty windshield installs will lead to rust on any vehicle.

well please share! My 06LX is overdue and I've been holding off since the job is so finnicky.

 

[summy]

I'm in the Denver area and dealing with the same issue. I'd love to know where you got yours replaced/repaired (assuming all went well). Thanks!

Hey! I’m actually in the Seattle area and the guy who did it was local to me. Regardless his buisness is Clear Choice Glass and Brandon and his wife own it, he came to my place and did an amazing job. I came out to look at it once he got the old glass out and there was some flavor around the perimeter but no holes or damaged areas. He just grinded it down to good metal and primed it up and prepped for the new glass. It looked way worse than it ended up being as I’ve heard many other guys rust horror stories. I just went to my local auto body place and asked who their glass guy was, I’d do the same if I were you.

 

[pwil393]

well please share! My 06LX is overdue and I've been holding off since the job is so finnicky.

Feel you, it can be an ordeal if the previous installers skipped corners. I used Blue Crush Auto Glass: 720-435-9594

Terry is the owners name. Super friendly and informative guy. He uses some insurances and he’ll come out to your residence. He’s been doing windshields for 20+ I believe. He also took care of the rust that Safelite refused to touch. He knew all about the OEM moldings and rivets. He uses stainless steel screws. The previous installers used screws and it makes rivets impossible now. If you still have rivets he can use those too.

No leaks on my windshield since. He also helped sort out my rear view mirror that rattled, despite my attempts to fix it. I’ll never use Safelite again.

And @lupe7258 hope the above information helps!

 

[2003lx470]

My windshield has a large crack across it from a rock chip. I have an appointment scheduled with Safelite. Please say a prayer for me.

 

[riffman12]

My windshield has a large crack across it from a rock chip. I have an appointment scheduled with Safelite. Please say a prayer for me.

View attachment 3844150

View attachment 3844152

I had good experience with Safelite, but I did check ahead of time that they had done these 100 series cruisers before, understood the rivets and all that.

 

[2003lx470]

I had good experience with Safelite, but I did check ahead of time that they had done these 100 series cruisers before, understood the rivets and all that.

After reading some earlier posts, I called Safelite to ask if they would be bringing the rivets. After waiting on hold for a few long minutes, they canceled the technician who was originally scheduled to come and rescheduled the installation with a master technician. The only downside is that I now have to wait an additional two weeks, but I don’t mind the delay.