Windshield repair saga

[bobc4383]

We went to Georgia last weekend and took a rock in the windshield on the way home (my wife said luckily that I was driving at the time). Monday morning I called USA regarding a replacement. I learned I have a $500 deductible, and they directed me to Safelite for repair. They scheduled the installer to come out Wednesday afternoon to our house which was good. When they confirmed the appointment, I asked about an OEM, and the scheduler said I should have asked ahead of time. Oh well. It was about $229 + $60 to install. I was at work when they put it in so when I got home, I was NOT happy to see the replacement (a generic) had three large ripples in the field of vision about eye level all across the windshield. Didn't anyone (note: not faulting my wife) sit in the seat and look before the installer left? Anyway, I called Safelite Wednesday evening to get an OEM replacement (I am a driver for an auto parts place so when I made a stop to the Ford parts department, they said a replacement would be $428), and she said it would be about a week. So the car sits in the garage. Safelite called yesterday to ask how I liked the 'new' replacement. My wife explained that 1) it had not arrived yet and 2) when could we expect the 'new' replacement. The lady put her on hold and found out (and passed along) that when the replacement came in, she would contact us to reschedule. Shouldn't they have known this when she called?

Lessons learned: 1) if you want an OEM, ask for it to start with and 2) if you get a new windshield, have 'someone' look at it to make sure it is not defective. We have not heard anything yet.

Bob

[00mustng]

Re: Windshield repair saga

....Interesting, Bob.....There is only one w/s manufacturer for these and that is PPG....They make them with and without the T-Bird logo....cheaper without the logo....but both are wired the same....so what kind they install?.....maybe you can let us know?......

[Sweet T]

Re: Windshield repair saga

Safelite doesn't have OEM glass....they make their own. Find another shop.

[Ediron]

Re: Windshield repair saga

Finding an original with logo is getting tough. When my Ford dealer cracked mine I insisted on an OEM with logo.It took a week to be shipped from the factory and I take this for what it worth there aren't to many left there. Also buy full glass coverage ,it's not that much more.

[bobc4383]

Re: Windshield repair saga

The installer came out today (Saturday). Safelite had ordered an OEM from Ford (had the logo and heated areas near the wipers) but when we looked at it, we both noted that the edge curve on the passenger was bad (had a gap of over 1/4") so he elected to order another replacement. On the plus side, he agreed with us as to the defect (and the defect from the first installation) so I don't feel I am being overly picky, especially since I am paying $518 for the replacement

More info as time goes on. Hopefully I'll have a car to drive by next week.

Bob

[Gobird]

Re: Windshield repair saga

When replacing one in an 02 be sure it has the hook up for the windshield wiper defrost. This was discontinued from 03 and above I believe, the 02's were the only ones made with this. That's if you want to keep it original.

[bobc4383]

Re: Windshield repair saga

When replacing one in an 02 be sure it has the hook up for the windshield wiper defrost. This was discontinued from 03 and above I believe, the 02's were the only ones made with this. That's if you want to keep it original.

The OEM Chip (yup, the installer's name) brought out had two wires (one on each side) for the wiper heaters. I have not seen the Safelite one (I can tell when he takes it out) to tell if it had leads.

Thanks for the thought.

Bob

[00mustng]

Re: Windshield repair saga

.....Bob.....These are PPG sheilds.....nobody else makes them.....This is a low production application.....and they are produced ( probably lately without the T-Bird logo because of licensing issues)....but still wired the same......tell us what you have?.....

[5bird7]

Re: Windshield repair saga

Bob has a 2003 according to his profile.
Just corroborating that Safelite uses PPG glass for the Thunderbird whether logoed or not, which has been noted by others. Safelite installed a PPG, logoed window in ours a couple of years ago - at our place of residence.

[taflocks]

Re: Windshield repair saga

you really must have crappy insurance? i have full coverage on 2 Honda and my 1965 bus, and $785,000 on the house i pay $180 a month with $100 deductible on glass

[bobc4383]

Re: Windshield repair saga

Bob has a 2003 according to his profile.
Just corroborating that Safelite uses PPG glass for the Thunderbird whether logoed or not, which has been noted by others. Safelite installed a PPG, logoed window in ours a couple of years ago - at our place of residence.

All true ('03 Red). This started with a call to USAA who directed me to Safelite on June 7th. They came out two days later, put in a generic with a bad wave across the center so said it needed to be replaced (with an OEM this time). A week and a half later, the installer came out and when he started to put in the OEM, the right edge was so 'bent' that it would not fit in the frame (he thought it was moved before it had hardened). This was a Saturday so Safelite 'supposely' ordered another one on Monday. After a week, I called several times and it will be ANOTHER week so I'm looking at July 12th or so. This is stupid - it takes over five weeks to get a replacement and schedule its installation? In 20/20 hindsite, I should have called the local Ford dealer and had them do it. It appears it will cost about $525 (the original cost was $289 for the generic). Hopefully I'll have better news for the next update. Thanks for keeping the thread open and active.

Bob

[bobc4383]

Re: Windshield repair saga

Final Post:

I called Safelite on Tuesday, July 5 around 10am and the windshield had come in 'about 15 minutes ago' (yea, right). Chip, the excellent installer, came out at 8:30 this morning and did an outstanding job of putting it in (I asked him if he had checked it, and he said yes, just before he left the shop). I am finally happy and $513.86 poorer but worth it.

Bob

[Allen P]

Re: Windshield repair saga

Same company makes both OEM and "aftermarket" windshields . PPG made our glass , both with and without the logo just depends how the paint room is set up that day . Non logo parts are mostly sent out of country . We call the F-150 winshields "lobo" and has a fed sticker saying it is export . The "aftermarket" stuff almost always has a flaw somewhere in the glass such as trapped air , air penetration ,shotgun ,pressform scratch ,short vinyl ect . Defects are not where you can see them , but are not 100% defect free as in OEM .Most all Carlite glass has defects , and when one is found it is pulled off line and sent to carlite . Penetration and trapped air will migrate over time and corrupt the winshield . My opinion is always go OEM and if possible inspect the glass yourself as sometimes you will pay for one and get another depending on installer . FYI it costs 65.00 to make a F-150 OEM winshield . Dealer gets 450.00 to 600.00 for one . I know , I make em .

[Latebird]

Re: Windshield repair saga

Safelite doesn't have OEM glass....they make their own. Find another shop.

SafeLite just installed an OEM CarLite (Solar Tint) windshield with
the Lincoln Emblem in my 2009 Lincoln Town car today. An exact
OEM duplicate. Used my USAA insurance (Florida Policy) No Charge!

Gotta Love It!

[bobc4383]

Re: Windshield repair saga

My USAA has a $500 deductable in Indiana (but it was worth it rather than have a POS for the first generic replacement).

Bob