Windshield - repair or replace?

I was driving up to CO to do some fishing and "shopping"... and a bolt flew off an 18 wheeler trailer and put two deep chips in my windshield. From one of the chips a crack has started to snake it's way up toward the roof. Said crack is about 4" long. My glass guy's website says he can fix it if the crack is under 6".

Now, would you get the windshield repaired or replace it? The current windshield was replaced by the previous owner and is not an OEM product.

If I were to replace should I go OEM? I've read, but don't know for sure, that the OEM windshields have wiper heater elements embedded at the wiper home position. Is that true for a '15 SR5? I also understand that OEM windshields are more expensive and insurance companies balk at paying for them.

Everything on the truck is OEM, (except the tires). If I could go OEM and not have to shell out too much dough that would be my preferred fix.

Whadda ya tink?

 

I have experienced bad quality glass from insurance recommended Safelite.

I like to hear how others get OEM glass with insurance? What should I do if I have to do it again? Just tell insurance "I want to replace at the Toyota dealership"?

 

I had the same issue and was told the insurance companies won’t pop for OE glass on an older vehicle.

My deductible was higher than the cost to have an Independent do the job (not Safelite). His glass did include the wiper heating element, so I took the deal.

So far, all is well. I’ve driven it through thunder storms and mud puddles without issues.

Good luck!

 

Stay away from Safelite...period. They use Chinese branded glass. I just went through a windshield replacement last week on my Tundra. A crack cannot be fixed.....that warrants replacement. Most dealers do not change the glass. They outsource it. If you call the dealer, they will tell you what local shops they use for their glasswork. Vitro and PGW make the glass for Toyota. Vitro now owns PGW.

 

There are only like 3 or 4 brands that make every windshield.

I had good success with Safelite and I managed to get OEM glass on my Tacoma. My local shop said that insurance often won't spring for OEM glass if the vehicle is over 3 years old. However, they said sometimes they'll tell insurance that that's all they have available and insurance will pay it anyway. At least in my area.

 

Almost all non-oem glass is junk, but it's what it is. More important is the shop installing and their warranty. Focus on that.

 

If really needed I would only use Pilkington, PGG, or OEM glass. That said, the problem with replacing windshields isn't the quality of the glass. its the quality of the install. Specifically removing the old glass. Its super easy for a careless tech to damage the paint around the glass. A year or 2 later you have some serious rust. You should carefully inspect the area around the glass after its installed. Any nicks or scratches in the paint need to be repaired ASAP.

 

OEM is a very “loose” term when it comes to things like this. Surprisingly

it may be made in the same factory, but it doesn’t always meet toyota quality specs. You really should use the term “OE” as in original equipment

Most shops will flat at say it’s oem when it’s not original equipment

 

As it was explained to me, the only difference between the generic Pilkington windshield and the Toyota one was that the Toyota one said "Toyota" near the Pilkington logo. That, and mine had the GoPro mount. They were made to the same specs and standards.

 

You could be right, just my 2c

You can order OEM lower ball joints made in the same factory as the Toyota OE ball joints and they'll have entirely different surface finish (requiring expensive downstream polish operations) and coating process variables (cleaning/degreasing standards, pre-treatment standards, acceptable process settings, curing) etc

Both are OEM only one will have the Toyota logo

Will also have increased traceability, like which operators worked on which machine, training records of those operators, preventative maintenance records, who performed the preventative maintenance etc

Again just my 2c. I'll throw it out there to be cautious of when shops say they're OEM, because they aren't toyota original equipment

e/ at least don’t be duped into paying “OE” prices for a non Toyota logo part

 

Pulled the trigger on a new windshield today. Used the after market windshield recommended by my guy @ Texas Quality Glass. The windshield has the wiper heaters, is untinted, (as required by law), and although made in China, like just about everything today , it has the same specs as OE glass.

TQG came to my house to do the job, was early for the appointment, completed the job in about an hour, had an excellent price, and has a good warranty.

If you are in the Houston area and need glass these guys should be your go-to: Texas Quality Glass 281.961.0342 or 281.605.8999. You'll be ahead of the game...

 

Chrisp, Thanks for the info. That's something I never snapped to. From now on it's OE for ME!

 

How much?

 

My windshield from Safelite has all the same features as OEM, such as the wiper heating element.

Mine had a crack, I have glass breakage on my insurance so it was no cost to me.

I also had my Volvo windshield replaced 5 years ago via Safelite, no issues since.

 

I've Safelite Chinese brand glass "Juayo" or some name like that. Surprisingly glass is fine where Safelite work is crap. Had it installed at their shop and they have it glued in crooked (5mm gap on left and 7 mm on right top of glass to roof). Believe me it is noticeable inside. I will newer use them again even though they almost have monopoly on glass install in KC area. With all fairness, they did make it up by partially refunding parts and install.

 

Just replaced mine with Safelite three weeks ago. Was the Fuyao brand mentioned above. Looked it up and read a bit and it seems like quality concerns are not warranted except by the "fuck China" crowd (shocker).

Advice:
- if you use Safelite, go to their location rather than use the mobile service. I got a much cleaner job there than the mobile service I used a month ago (tough year for me and windshields).
- you can get Safelite to use original manufactur supplied glass. Call them and ask. I had VW glass done on my other car recently with no upcharge
- clean your car before going so you can 1) send a message that expect cleanliness and don't live like an animal and 2) you can see shoddy work more easily when you pick it up (e.g. - glue drips)

Jason

 

yea shops may jerk you around a bit with oem/oe parts. Just say red label toyota part, since that’s the price you’ll be charged 90% of the time

 

I had a crack my first year with my 2020. Insurance covered via Safelite. New windshield has been in 2 years now and I cannot tell the difference. It was free for me, but over $1100 charged to insurance company which seemed way high to me. This was done in a shop, not mobile because they said it was required for 2020 and beyond. TSS?

 

Is it possible to replace the upper reveal moulding ( the moulding between the roof and the windshield) of the windshield without removing the entire windshield. Mine is cracked and falling in places and I think it's causing excessive wind noise.

 

TSS is a major cost component (although it's arguable whether it should be).

There was a plastic cartridge left laying on my seat when I picked up truck last week that looks a part that may have been missed. I did an image search and found that it's a disposable alignment part used for the TSS sensor alignment.

Jason

 

265 yankee dollars...