Windshield replacement in Denver CO

[Emcd]

my window is cracked beyond repair. Anyone know of a good shop/company? Everyone says they can do it, but most cannot do a good job.

 

[Romer]

Maybe call Slee and see who they recommend

 

[philthyphil]

Safelite did a great job on our 100 when we lived in Denver. They showed up with a windshield that had a bluish tint (per spec?) but asked my wife if we would prefer the bronze tint version to match existing and the motif of the vehicle. The came to our home for the install so they took the blue one back and rescheduled with the right glass a couple days later. Same windshield is in there 5 years later, no issues. Just one guys experience...

 

[JeffH]

I have used this guy for mine and my wife's Audi S4 Avant. I would recommend him and he is mobile.

Dave LaMontange, 303-995-0986

 

[thegreatgazoo]

@Emcd Where did you end up going? I just drove through a winter storm on I-70 tonight and found two 3 to 4 inches cracks on driver side, didn't know what happened. Looks like I need a replacement as well.

 

[joe dirt]

Abra in Boulder did a great job on my 2005. Not sure of cost since insurance paid.

 

[PabloCruise]

These are difficult to install correctly I take it?

 

[Emcd]

ABRA. The are near medved off i70 and ward. They'll come to you and they did a perfect job.

 

[Emcd]

ABRA. The are near medved off i70 and ward. They'll come to you and they did a perfect job.

 

[2001LC]

Seem like every time I find a good shop, their gone next time I need windshield replacement.

But a few things;

• Make sure they know 100's have a wind noise issue, especially if not sealed properly.
• The molding that goes up along each side, often gets bent and will not fit back neatly. Insurance will pay for new, provide installer states not reusable.
• Have them replace rivets, with rivets in same factory holes. Rust guard any and all old holes from prior replacements.
• Use the after market rubber gasket that overlaps the leading edge of the roof line. Factory's gasket leaves lending edge exposed, open to rock chip and subsequent rust.
• Edited: I've been convinced it's better to repair chip or get bra. Larger molding will hold in acids/moisture.

 

[PabloCruise]

Seem like every time I find a good shop, their gone next time I need windshield replacement.

But a few things;

• Make sure they know 100's have a wind noise issue, especially if not sealed properly.
• The molding that goes up along each side, often gets bent and will not fit back neatly. Insurance will pay for new, provide installer states not reusable.
• Have them replace rivets, with rivets in same factory holes. Rust guard any and all old holes from prior replacements.
• Use the after market rubber gasket that overlaps the leading edge of the roof line. Factory's gasket leaves lending edge exposed, open to rock chip and subsequent rust.

Is there a preferred aftermarket windshield gasket to use? Or does ABRA have them in stock? Get side moldings from Toyota?

 

[2001LC]

That Is a good question on gasket brand, that I can't answer.

I do know that since I request OEM gasket a few years ago. I've become painfully aware of rusting rock chip above windshield. The ones right on the edge, that when they rust go down under the gasket. If not taken care of quickly this rust become a PITA, that can really get expensive. I looked a 2003 LX this weekend with new windshield, at Lexus dealer. They or a service, used the gasket that covered the leading edge. As look under the rubber along the edge, sure enough hidden rust from/in rock chips. Dealers may have now gone to this style to protect edge, I don't know.

I'll bet ABRA has in stock, but best to call around to see.

Side moldings, Dealer OEM only one's I've heard of.

 

[txtortoise]

Safelite did mine this week. Insurance company approved OEM glass, moldings,etc. Moldings alone were listed at $177 each at retail.

I had specific names of veteran installers from my Lexus dealer and insisted on one of them. Guy was great, but even he struggled with getting rivets in tight. Head on rivet gun was too thick to fit in space. Adjusted head on gun and got it done after a couple of redos. He did use aftermarket edging along top of windshield. Spent more time on rivets than almost rest of job.

It was pretty straight forward but really need to clean old moldings out and be sure adhesive is run along two clips on windshield before install as not accessible after on car and could be source of future leak.

 

[2001LC]

Safelite did mine this week. Insurance company approved OEM glass, moldings,etc. Moldings alone were listed at $177 each at retail.

I had specific names of veteran installers from my Lexus dealer and insisted on one of them. Guy was great, but even he struggled with getting rivets in tight. Head on rivet gun was too thick to fit in space. Adjusted head on gun and got it done after a couple of redos. He did use aftermarket edging along top of windshield. Spent more time on rivets than almost rest of job.

It was pretty straight forward but really need to clean old moldings out and be sure adhesive is run along two clips on windshield before install as not accessible after on car and could be source of future leak.

I'd sure like his name and location, if I were in TX...Darn

 

[txtortoise]

Ask for a senior tech and confirm that he's done LCs. Ask local Lexus Svc manager who they use. Probably not that many doing remote location work.

 

[fng36]

Tim Newcomer 303-885-9477. I've used him on all my vehicles over the past 10 years. He doesn't know it yet but I'm ready for my 2nd windshield on my cruiser, waiting for my tax refund....

Personally I wouldn't let ABRA wash my truck

 

[wolffo]

Auto Glass Guys
and only do it in the summer heat

 

[thegreatgazoo]

Thanks all. I called a local dealer and they used Safelite, and called Slee they had no particular recommendation. I'll go with Safelite since it's in my insurance company's network and I had good experience with the local Safelite shop.

One last question, a mechanic at Safelite said they'd replace the rivets with screws because rivets would be a headache for future work on the windshield. Sounds reasonable, but do you guys see any problem with that?

 

[Lexus Land Cruiser]

One last question, a mechanic at Safelite said they'd replace the rivets with screws because rivets would be a headache for future work on the windshield. Sounds reasonable, but do you guys see any problem with that?

The rig wasn't designed for screws. You're inviting deformation and jeopardizing the integrity of the mounting points by using anything other than the rivets it was engineered to accommodate. Further, future work will only exacerbate the results, leading to more issues later.

I'm having my windshield replaced this week at an independent shop that is utilized by the local dealer here in Springfield, MO. Per my explicit request, they'll be using all OEM kit, glass included, on my LX. They claim to have worked the 100 series before, but you better believe for $1400+ I'll be bringing in TIS reference material and watching them like a hawk to insure sanctioned methods are followed.

 

[txtortoise]

Re: my Safelite guy also mentioned screws, but got the job done with rivets...after a few redo's. $1400 is a good price with OEM glass and molding.

xPost from Windshield Trim Thread:

Just had my LX 470 done last week by Safelite with OEM glass/moldings. The aluminum you are seeing is residual from drilling out the old rivets. Based on the difficulty (Need narrow headed rivet gun) of installing and/or drilling those out, I'm guessing that's when they cracked the windshield. I know my guy was paranoid about doing it, while redoing some loose rivets. (Parts prices rounded and are at retail. They and insurance get them at about 25% off.)

Lexus/Toyota OEM Windshield - @ $1190 (Made in Indonesia FWIW)
Flex Molding (Upper piece that covers rain gutter from top down to edge of windshield) - Part 75533-60032, 2 @ $178
-- Reused the molding that covered rivets, but the Flex stuff above gets pretty beat up when being removed...thus the replacement.
Rain Sensor Pad - $20 (Replacement had the fittings attached, but he said new pad was critical to good repair.)
Generic overlapping flex molding for upper edge of windshield - $27
Install Kit - $30 (Misc I suppose. He used aluminum rivets with plastic washers and assorted heated urethane.)
Labor - $124

About $1800 at retail. Online quote with Safelite glass was under $400, but I'm sure that didn't include new moldings.

Hope this helps...

A few photos here... I got so involved with watching him, I forgot to start shooting:
Safelite Windshield Install - Lexus LX 470 - Ralph Mawyer Photography