Windshield nightmare

[FJ809496TLC]

It's a little warm outside and decided to spot wash the LC to rid of bird droppings.Started hosing top of the LC then the windshield when I suddenly heard cracking sound coming from the windshield. Sure enough, windshield cracked from top to bottom. Are there any aftermarket windshield better than OEM? I'm just wandering if hood protectors contribute to more cracked windshield?

 

[TCH2FLY]

I am sure if you look in the area near the edge of the W/S you will find a previously unnoticed chip or pit that spread due to the cold water on warm glass.
In my opinion there is nothing wrong with factory glass and in my 6 years with Toyota I NEVER saw a true stress crack caused by improper installation or poor quality. I have seen several inexpensive replacments windshield crack from those same causes as well as having fisheye flaws and distortion.

 

[RavenTai]

I went after makret last time expecting a PPG but wound up with a chinese windshield (long angry story) , and in about a year it has already gathered 3 chips, assuming the two winshields (chinese VS stock) would averag ethe same ammount and severity of hits per year it seams the factory glass holds up better than chinese, the question I want to know, would PPG have held up any better?

whatever windshild you wind up DIY or print out the FSM directns and give them to the installer, if he does nto use copious ammounts of sealent it will leak, some installers seam to thign gasket winshilds do nto need much sealant and the result is a leak. (see past threads)

 

[-Spike-]

Actually, most windshield techs will tell you no gasketed windshield needs ANY sealant. Beat them up, make them do it.

PPG is OEM in many cars, as is LOF, Safelite, and a few others.

-Spike

 

[cruiserdan]

PPG supplies some Toyota OEM glass. They do not supply OEM Cruiser glass but they do make replacement windshields. I currently have a top-shade PPG in mine. PPG glass is fine.

 

[-Spike-]

PPG supplies some Toyota OEM glass. They do not supply OEM Cruiser glass but they do make replacement windshields.

That makes me feel better.

I currently have a top-shade PPG in mine.

That makes me feel really good! If it's good enough for C-Dan, it's good enough.

-Spike

 

[FJ809496TLC]

Thanks for all responses. I'll stay with OEM glasses and rubber seals. I just have to wait a little longer to do two at the same time.

 

[IdahoDoug]

I also have a top shade PPG in my 97, installed a few months after I got it. It has survived two Idaho winters of traction sand. My wife and I agreed we will not get a top shade band next time as when touring and sightseeing we have to lean forward to see things above our eye level like soaring birds, mountain tops, etc.

DougM

 

[LCphil]

I had the right rear sliding window burst in the garage.

I parked he truck in the garage, left the door open for garage and truck to cool and closed the door later in the evening when it was cool.

The next morning I was doing something in the garage and noticed the glass. Thinking someone had tried breaking into the garage, I found the garage window intact. As I passed the truck I found that the sliding window had shattered leaving a giant hole.

Nothing hit it, it wasn't out of alignment nor stressed. No explanation.

I took forever to get a replacement in privacy glass and it cost me $265.

 

[clownmidget]

I just got my windshield replaced this weekend and thought I'd add to the moaning...

I photocopied the FSM pages and ordered the gasket from Dan. Called around and Safelite was the closest, easiest to fit into my schedule and had nearly the best price. When phoning them though you are always dealing with a long distance office drone that has nothing to do with the local shop doing the install. First hiccup was when they asked me what tint was at the top of my OEM windshield . I said there wasn't any and got the reply that any newer vehicle always has a tint and maybe I just didn't look closely enough. To end the back and forth I gave in and asked what tint choices I had. He said bronze or blue. I went with bronze not knowing what to expect by figured I could live with it.

Showed up at the appt and they had my windshield and it looked just like my oem one. Great. Then the installer said the one in my truck had a bronze tint through the whole glass and the one they had to install had a green tint throughout. ???? Finally a call to the Toyota dealership to run my VIN confirmed they had the right windshield.

Then as if on cue, they started in on why the windshield didn't need any sealant in the gasket! Round and round we went and it wasn't until I was ready to drive away that they gave in and installed in per the FSM instructions. The whole time complaining that it was too messy, didn't do anything and I was crazy. It was too funny. They ended up doing an excellent job, it took only 1 hour from start to finish and it was well worth the $212 out the door they charged. Add in the gasket from Dan for about $35.

My lesson was to always watch and direct the install!

 

[cruiserdan]

If you do not glue it in it will squeak and leak, period.

 

[LX_TREME]

Agreed with Dan, Third time i replaced the front windshield.Also just did these 2 weeks ago for $55 buks installed with 3M windshield adhesive sealant.Samething got the rubber molding from Dan also.

P.S: Next time if you need to replace the front windshield these place in lower azusa near 60 Freeway did very nice job.

 

[photogod]

The PO of my truck put new glass in a week before I bought it and used cheap glass and no sealant. I have nice little leaks all around the bottom of the glass. Just a seap but it's there. Thankfully, on the way to Moab a semi hit the center divider and sprayed stones up all over the glass so I will indeed get a new winshield and gasket. It costs me a dollar a year for glass replacement on my insurance.

 

[devo]

Had to get new front glass two days ago.
Went with PPG glass. It was about the only glass offered here in the Denver area.
Seems to be pretty clear.
Cost me $164.00

devo