To Safelite or Not? Windshield Replacement.

[OG 91 LC]

Fellas. I just bought my '98 and I would like to replace the windshield since it has a decent size crack.

I have read some threads. Some good and some with other members using other shops due to the quality of the glass.

Their quote is $328.

My thought is I would rather have the lifetime warranty of Safelite in case something goes wrong and I start to get any leaks later. I also have heard of the wind noise after some repairs.

Also. May someone chime in on the use of clips vs screws?? I'm a little bit confused on this. Should I purchase a set of oem clips??


Fellas? What do you say???
Thanks

 

[Sandroad]

I don't know about the clips/screws question, but I think there been enough posts on here about shoddy work that you should pay close attention to the shop that does the work and read reviews and ratings on their work before you commit. The quality of the install is really important on the L.C. given location of potential leaks.

 

[ton504]

One installer does not represent the company. Of course you're only going to read the bad stuff online.

Get whoever you trust locally. If you don't have any experience then call your local dealership and ask who they use...

And since Safelite is a pretty reputable company, if anything goes wrong you bet they will take care of it.

 

[bhicks]

I'm in the same boat. I had a tiny chip with about a 2" crack on my windshield right behind the mirror. This last storm gave us some snow and when I scrapped the snow off the windshield I noticed the tiny crack now goes all the way across the windshield. I have never had to replace a windshield before so this is new territory for me. I will call my insurance company first and see if there is a chance this is covered.

 

[OG 91 LC]

I will def call my local Toyota/Lexus dealer and ask about where they send their vehicles for a windshield replacement.

I made sure I asked Safelite about leaks that would cause any kind of electrical damage. They assured me that any damage done to any part of the vehicle caused by any faulty part or work would be covered by them. For $328 I am thinking about going with them. With that kind of assurance/warranty it makes me feel better about the install. I'm not sure if a local shop would be able to do the same, but I will ask around.

Thanks fellas

 

[TXLX100]

X2 on call the dealer and see who they use.

I will call my insurance company first and see if there is a chance this is covered.

Will be covered under your comprehensive coverage.

 

[brosama]

Make sure they use rivets. Do some rigorous testing for leaks with a hose and/or a car wash after the install. Some leaks are very small so it may take a good soaking to manifest.

 

[Lowbudgetlc100]

I'm in the same boat. I had a tiny chip with about a 2" crack on my windshield right behind the mirror. This last storm gave us some snow and when I scrapped the snow off the windshield I noticed the tiny crack now goes all the way across the windshield. I have never had to replace a windshield before so this is new territory for me. I will call my insurance company first and see if there is a chance this is covered.

Depending on your deductible you probably end up paying yourself

 

[Lowbudgetlc100]

Make sure they use rivets. Do some rigorous testing for leaks with a hose and/or a car wash after the install. Some leaks are very small so it may take a good soaking to manifest.

Make sure you let the silicone dry first

 

[OG 91 LC]

Make sure they use rivets.

Parts number on these rivets?

How many rivets are there?

 

[brosama]

Make sure you let the silicone dry first

I was hoping the OP would intuit that

Parts number on these rivets?

How many rivets are their?

Sorry, I'm not sure. I think it may be covered in other threads. My local shop had done a number of them before so I left that detail up to him.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Talked to our local Toyota dealer and they sent me to Abra - sure enough, they did it right. The guy who did the replacement knew all about the 100 series - hated doing them, in fact...

 

[Kigiin]

I need a new one too - this will be my second replacement. The first was done by Lexus (or whoever they use). I had an air leak immediately and eventually a water leak. The cost was $1,600, which was covered by my insurance, however it was far from perfect.

I am thinking about going back to Lexus but will ask some questions base on this site - http://www.carwindshields.info/right-and-wrong-ways-to-replace-a-windshield

 

[RND1]

I had safelite replace my windshield right after I bought my LC. I stood there the entire time the guy replaced the windshield in my driveway. I was not aware of the common issues with LC windshield replacement at the time. The guy did struggle with removing all the old rivets and the factory windshield was really well attached so much so that he had a bear of a time removing it. He said it was one of the toughest windshields he's ever done. He had trouble installing the new rivets and if I wasn't standing there, I wouldn't be surprised if he just skipped a few. I've had no water or air leaks, but I'm not 100% convinced that I won't have issues down the road (main concern is rust).

If I was to do it over again, I would call my local Toyota dealer and find out who they use to install their windshields and go with them. I believe the tech who did mine had never done a 100 series before and while it appears he did an okay job, I wasn't 100% satisfied.

 

[hankinid]

Safelite's installation is installer-dependent...some have done a bunch of LC/LX's, others have no idea of what they're about to get into.

I'd echo calling Lexus local dealer and ask them who does their glass.

I had my windshield replaced last year...called Safelite here in Boise and got a deer-in-the-headlights response. Called Lexus and they referred me to John Roman's Glass. He came with the correct closed-end rivets, and a rivet tool that was slim enough to get past the A-piller to get to the rivet. Entire job took about an hour. Turns out John also does glass for MB, BMW, Porsche, etc. in this area through dealers and body shops.

Ask Safelite if you're getting Toyota or Pilkington or Chinese glass...you'll see a bit of a difference in price. Also, make sure that installer is using new moldings that run up the A-pillar and onto the top of the roof for 8" or so.

hth

Steve

 

[Hayes]

My Safelite installer had done many 100-series Cruisers/LX470s, and was very familiar with the process. I quizzed him about fasteners (he asserted that they use only the specified rivets) and adhesives/sealants (only urethanes, no silicone). I have no apparent air or water leaks after a few months since the install.

That said, I did have a couple minor issues that erode my confidence:

1. The cowl at the base of the windshield under the hood was missing a couple fasteners after reinstallation.
2. He re-used the side moulding than hankinid mentioned (to save me a few bucks), and it didn't stay fully seated at the top of the door.

Both of these issues were cosmetic, and quickly corrected when I pointed them out. Typical signs of rushing to wrap up work. Annoys me to no end. Overall I am confident that the windshield is installed correctly, as I've been driving it for a few months in heavy rain and on a couple off road trips.

I think using a large reputable company like Safelite is a good idea, given their need to maintain reputation. I think the other advice here is good as well--although I've largely lost faith in my local Toyota dealers ability to conscientiously complete work, and would not necessarily trust the dealer's recommendations or referrals.

 

[hankinid]

That said, I did have a couple minor issues that erode my confidence:

1. The cowl at the base of the windshield under the hood was missing a couple fasteners after reinstallation.
2. He re-used the side moulding than hankinid mentioned (to save me a few bucks), and it didn't stay fully seated at the top of the door.

Both of these issues were cosmetic, and quickly corrected when I pointed them out. Typical signs of rushing to wrap up work. Annoys me to no end. Overall I am confident that the windshield is installed correctly, as I've been driving it for a few months in heavy rain and on a couple off road trips.

I think using a large reputable company like Safelite is a good idea, given their need to maintain reputation. I think the other advice here is good as well--although I've largely lost faith in my local Toyota dealers ability to conscientiously complete work, and would not necessarily trust the dealer's recommendations or referrals.

I lost 2-3 of the t-shaped clips also...the clips that attach the rubber trim to the body under the hood. Under $3 at the local dealer and parts guy noted you usually lose a few. Thin hemostat is a good tool to use to remove the trim.

My moldings were beginning to lift up from the roof a bit. Installer noted trick with replacing the moldings is to pre-bend the moldings to get them flat on the roof...easily done if you can work with the entire molding, not easy at all once the long leg of the molding is rivited or screwed to the A-pillar. Installer spent a while bending each molding so when it was in place before riveting, the top end was putting downward pressure on the roof. Top ends were stuck in place with 3M tape.

hth

Steve

 

[OG 91 LC]

I asked about the glass quality and what I was getting. I was told it was glass manufactured in the east coast. USA made and not over seas.

 

[pavieSD]

I wouldn't trust a remote glass installer to have all the right tools. If the remote guy doesn't want to make two trips, he's most likely going to half ass the installation, just to get it done and assume you won't complain until it's too late. I had my windshield done at a safelite warehouse in San Diego. If you want to drive it down, I would recommend them. I specifically asked that they use the Toyota OEM rivets and installation, and made sure that they understood that the 100 has special requirements above and beyond a normal installation. The installer was aware of the 100/toyota issues and they did a great job. This was the third windshield for this truck and the 2nd installation was done improperly and had rust already forming when I bought the truck. So I ended up having to take it to a body shop first, but the actual glass installation has been great and no leaks or issues for the last 50k miles. I wasn't really concerned with it being OEM glass, just that it was installed properly.

 

[DOGMARLEY]

I think it depends on the installer at Safelite. I only use a specific guy after watching him replace the LX windshield. He was happy to explain every step for me while he did it. He ordered new aluminum moldings and rivets. He found rust from a previous bad install and grinds it to the metal and primed it before he put on the new glass on.

When I picked up my 04 LC i needed to replace the windshield and requested him. Same great job and two different 100 series.

Before him, I thought Safelite s u c k e d, but I'll stick with them as long as this specific installer works there. For what it's worth, the dealer recommended me to who they always use and they bent the aluminum molding and left it that way where as Safelite replaced the molding.