Windshield Crack: Replacement?? (1 Viewer)

[ebod]

I somehow managed to get a hairline crack in my windshield. It's pretty small (3"-4") and it's down at the bottom of my windshield. I'm going to try a repair before i replace it. If the repair doesn't work, what do you think a new windshield (OEM) will cost parts and labor? Should I take the car to an independent body shop or should I take it to the dealer?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Make sure they use an OEM gasket, wherever you go. Guaranteed leaks if you don't.

 

[inkpot]

Howdy! If the crack goes to the edge of the glass, you can't repair it. The DIY kits are a crapshoot. Talk to your insurance agent. It should be covered for both repair and replace. MOST agents can refer you to a good glass shop. Should be free to you either way. John

 

[ebod]

Murphy's Law

So I had an appointment to repair the windshield; they could repair cracks that are 6" or less. The guy was coming to my office today. When I was less than 500 feet from my parking lot, while driving on smooth pavement, the crack grew from 3" to 3 feet. What a bummer!!

A quick search online found places that would replace the glass for $150-200. The guy said that they'd use Pilkington brand and that it's as good as OEM. I doubt that's true, but I figured that I'd ask on this board. Anyone heard of it and is it any good? $150 seems pretty cheap for new glass and I'm worried that I'll get crappy glass.

On the other hand, at the dealer, just the part is over $1,000.

Any recommendations on a happy medium solution?

Thanks in advance for any replies

 

[EdsCruisin]

So I had an appointment to repair the windshield; they could repair cracks that are 6" or less. The guy was coming to my office today. When I was less than 500 feet from my parking lot, while driving on smooth pavement, the crack grew from 3" to 3 feet. What a bummer!!

A quick search online found places that would replace the glass for $150-200. The guy said that they'd use Pilkington brand and that it's as good as OEM. I doubt that's true, but I figured that I'd ask on this board. Anyone heard of it and is it any good? $150 seems pretty cheap for new glass and I'm worried that I'll get crappy glass.

On the other hand, at the dealer, just the part is over $1,000.

Any recommendations on a happy medium solution?

Thanks in advance for any replies

No Insurance?

My wife has a knack for finding flying debris on the highway, so we replace at least one windshield per year. Never had to pay for one. In fact I have a crack from side to side of the windshield right now that I need to address too.

 

[ebod]

Dealer says: $1,500 for OEM glass or $550 for glass that is absolutely as good as OEM, it just doesn't say "Toyota" on it. I think I'll go for that option from the dealer. Even though they outsource it, I'll be able to yell at the dealer if there's a problem. That feels better than taking my chances with a $150 job and than paying $1,500 for the "Toyota" glass.

 

[ebod]

On the insurance front. My comprehensive deductible is $1,000. I can buy that down to $100 for glass claims at a cost of about $10.00 per year. I'm going to do that going forward.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Dont use LSI glass it delaminates! MIke

 

[inkpot]

On the insurance front. My comprehensive deductible is $1,000. I can buy that down to $100 for glass claims at a cost of about $10.00 per year. I'm going to do that going forward.

Howdy! My deductible is the same as yours, but my glass has always been 100% covered, even on my kids' cars that were low $$ junkers. John

 

[Kneel]

Doing the replacement windsheild gasket dance now. The oem gasket that comes in the kit is a generic "fits all Toyota applications" top gasket. While it does work and doesn't leak, it leaves a large gap between the top of the gasket and the leading edge of the roof/windshield edge. You also ned to replace the pillar moulding as well. The original can't be reused unless you don mind the wind noise and/or don't mind not being able to hear the passengers in the rear seats...

 

[ebod]

Kneel,

I think they used the "fits all Toyota applications" top gasket. There's a gap between the glass/gasket and the metal of the roof line (instead of a rubber seal that fills the entire space between windshield and roof). When I see an LC parked on the street, I'm going to look to compare/confirm.

In any event, (i) is it the "fits all Toyota applications" gasket or the reuse of old gaskets that causes the noise you mentioned and (ii) if I decide to make a stink about this, how big a deal is it for them to replace the generic gasket with the cruiser-specific one? While it shouldn't matter either way, I may be more demanding from the dealer if it's a pretty easy thing to fix.

Thanks!!

 

[Kneel]

The part number for 2005+ LCs and LX470s upper windshield moulding is 7553160030. $30. There should be a gap however the trailing edge of the moulding should cover the gap.

Wind noise comes from the pillar or garnish moulding. As a test, take a piece of tape and run it down the pillar, covering the gap between the pillar and the molding. Drive down the highway and listen. Remove it then take the same drive. You can easily figure out where it is coming from. You may or may not have to replace both, as they aren't cheap. But more often than not they get damaged when they are removed. I'll see if I can find the part numbers...

 

[Greg E]

Dealer says: $1,500 for OEM glass or $550 for glass that is absolutely as good as OEM, it just doesn't say "Toyota" on it. I think I'll go for that option from the dealer. Even though they outsource it, I'll be able to yell at the dealer if there's a problem. That feels better than taking my chances with a $150 job and than paying $1,500 for the "Toyota" glass.

OEM glass from the dealer should be $700 - $800. If you have an 04 or later the internal tint on the glass is green and no aftermarket glass is made with a green tint so you will have to go OEM. I had this done a year ago and paid around $700 total at the dealer.

 

[Jim_Chow]

I somehow managed to get a hairline crack in my windshield. It's pretty small (3"-4") and it's down at the bottom of my windshield. I'm going to try a repair before i replace it. If the repair doesn't work, what do you think a new windshield (OEM) will cost parts and labor? Should I take the car to an independent body shop or should I take it to the dealer?

Thanks in advance.

I went through 3 OEM (lexus) windshields in 3 yrs...Oct 2006, price was just under $1K out the door. Oct 2007, same parts, ~$1300 and change out the door. Oct 2008, same parts, $1538 out the door. Insurance paid in full each time w/o inspection and w/o any hassles! 100% glass coverage is definitely worth the $$$...saved me nearly $4K in 3 yrs!