Windshield Replacement (14 Viewers)

[LCH21]

Well, damn.

Went into Costco and life was good. When I came back out, this was waiting for me. No clue as to what happened. The crack is slowly progressing.

It now looks as if I am going to have to replace the windshield. I intend to go with OEM glass.

Any recommendations as to who would be best to use? Independent shop or try and go through Toyota? Will be contacting my insurance company on Monday. Haven't had to deal with a windshield in over thirty years. Been lucky I guess.

 

[doru]

AFAIK Toyota dealers do not install glass. If they do they hire their preferred local glass shop.
Lucky indeed, I do every other year or so between 4 vehicles. In fact I'm replacing a windshield right now because it is worn out: too many small impacts (like sand blasting) that create glare at night and in the sun. I guess I was lucky it lasted long enough to get in this state.
Shop around for your glass install. Insurance will send you to their preferred shop that may not be the best thing for your truck. I have two shops that I trust for over 20 years for all my repairs and replacements or reinstalls.

 

[Smokinjo]

It looks as though you took a hard impact in that round spot towards the bottom of your windshield. Any stress or temp changes will prompt it to run on the glass. Check with your insurance agent on coverage as likely get it done with OEM or close to it. As said before dealers don’t install glass. Good windshield shop will do it right and recalibrate your radar etc if you have that or send it to the dealer for it. Not sure where you live to recommend one. I personally would NOT use Safelite or some of the others you see commercials on. A high end body shop will also know the best glass people in your area.

 

[dms]

View attachment 3986087

Well, damn.

Went into Costco and life was good. When I came back out, this was waiting for me. No clue as to what happened. The crack is slowly progressing.

It now looks as if I am going to have to replace the windshield. I intend to go with OEM glass.

Any recommendations as to who would be best to use? Independent shop or try and go through Toyota? Will be contacting my insurance company on Monday. Haven't had to deal with a windshield in over thirty years. Been lucky I guess.

Was a lawn crew mowing or weed-eating nearby?

 

[LCH21]

Was a lawn crew mowing or weed-eating nearby?

There was a road crew cleaning up a center divider in the road directly in front of the cruiser, but were probably 150-200 feet away. Plus traffic was rather heavy on the road. I thought about that. Thing is, there is nothing in or around the impact indicating a rock hit. Rock hits usually leave some "powder" dust at the impact. This impact is clean as a whistle. Nothing. Upon further inspection, I think something rather hard came from right to left, hitting the windshield at a glancing blow, leaving a chip that started the crack. All hits I have had before and been lucky enough to be able to repair them, left a star pattern. This one is odd. Now I wish I had set my dash cam for parked recording... Where I was in San Bernardino, I do wonder if it was a small caliber bullet hitting at an extreme angle.

Not a particularly good picture, but it appears to me that it was a shallow-angle glancing blow from the right. I don't think a rock kicked up by the road crew from straight in front would look like that. There were two more rows of parking, a ten foot grass area, sidewalk and two traffic lanes separating me from the crew.

Only silver lining is the windshield is a bit frosted so it will be nice to get a clear view again, though temporary as it will be. It may be a battle, but I am going to insist that Toyota glass be used.

Thanks guys for the responses. I'll be calling my insurance first thing Monday. I'm also going to talk to my dealer to see who they might recommend.