Windshield Replacement Horror Stories?
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Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 77
Likes: 14
From: Texas
Windshield Replacement Horror Stories?
Anyone else care to share their windshield / glass replacement horror stories?
Here's mine (I won't name the company, but I'm guessing you'll figure it out):
I have bought six windshields from <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain> over the past few years. They are pretty much the only game in town for me other than dealerships, and the dealerships here outsource their glass replacements, most likely to <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain>. All but one of the six windshields purchased have almost immediately chipped or cracked, something not covered by their warranty. Each time, it was some tiny little pebble or such that I doubt would have done any damage to an OEM windshield. Each time, they "repaired" the chip or crack by simply stopping it from getting worse. I'm a semi-retired senior citizen who has owned many dozens of vehicles over the last half century, and I don't remember ever needing to replace any windshields on 20th century automobiles. Has something changed?
Anyway, when I recently bought my old cosmetically challenged 2008 F150 Limited SuperCrew to restore, it still had the original factory glass, littered with little rock chips from 13 years of dirt road and off-road driving.
I cleaned up the truck cosmetically, repairing and replacing tons of parts, and finally, with it looking nearly showroom fresh, took it to <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain> to have the windshield replaced. I had been told they would install OEM glass on request at a higher cost, so I asked for OEM glass, complete with the Ford logo and the F150 factory lettering at the top. It looked great when I drove it away, although my rearview mirror was a tad loose. (I tightened it back up myself a few days later.)
I waited the specified 48 hours plus an additional 24, just in case, before having the truck washed. Driving through the car wash, Niagara Falls started flowing down on my dashboard. I grabbed shop towels, paper towels, coats, anything in the cab I could find to cover the dash for the 15 seconds or so of waterfall.
I took it back to <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain>, and they scheduled a time the following week to come to my home, remove, clean, and reinstall the windshield while I was at work. They did that, and all seemed okay (other than the rearview mirror, which was loose again) until I climbed up on a step stool to inspect the wiper blades. That's when I discovered the damage they had done to my truck.
The driver side windshield trim was just dangling there, unattached, and the 2-piece wiper cowling they had removed to access the bottom of the glass was broken at the screw mount on the passenger side and the tabs on the driver side were broken off and only held on by the wiper posts. I called <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain> (again), and they scheduled another appointment to come again to my home and correct the issues. But last night, before the appointment scheduled for today, I was driving on a local expressway with no vehicles anywhere around me when the new OEM windshield they had installed (twice) just started cracking at the bottom right-of-center and in seconds had made its way up and across the middle of the glass. No rock chips. No apparent cause.
I called and complained (again), and as of this moment, roughly 9:00 a.m. CDT, there are two <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain> vans in my driveway. The technicians agreed that it was a stress crack, probably caused by repeated mis-installations. They brought me another new OEM windshield and are installing it in my driveway as I write. I'm not sure what the final outcome will be, but these past two and a half weeks have been for me a kind of windshield replacement hell. Whether or not I drive 250 miles to the nearest reputable big city glass shop next time depends on how this situation plays out.
There. I've vented, but also perhaps warned a few of you to use trusted OEM glass installers when you get work done on your F150 or any other vehicle. I've read all sorts of online horror stories about aftermarket glass, but according to everything I could find, when a shop sells you OEM glass, it is manufactured by the same glass suppliers that furnish the factory glass to GM, Ford, Chrysler, etc., for new cars and must be the same thickness and material grade used in the factory glass. One article I found implied that some auto manufacturers' windshields have an additional chip resistant "clear coat" that is not part of the federally mandated glass standards for windshields. Perhaps some of you know whether that's the case.
I'll post again later to say how this debacle ends.
~Mike
UPDATE 9:35 a.m.:
Before I clicked Submit, the <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain> technicians called me to come out and review their work. The replacement OEM glass looks great (just like before). They had clipped down the windshield trim correctly, so that looks fine now. They told me that they had worked together to be absolutely sure that everything was installed correctly, positioned correctly, and sealed correctly. (They had also tightened the rearview mirror properly.) They gave me their manager's business card and said he should be calling me about the damaged cowling this morning, and if not, to call him. The lead technician gave me his own business card and said if anything at all was amiss, I should call him directly and he'd get it taken care of.
Again, I'll have to wait a couple of hours before driving the truck and 48 hours before washing it, but it looks like they have handled my complaints well and perhaps re-earned my trust. I'll reserve final judgment until after running the truck through the car wash. (I'll bring some bath towels this time, just in case.)
Here's mine (I won't name the company, but I'm guessing you'll figure it out):
I have bought six windshields from <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain> over the past few years. They are pretty much the only game in town for me other than dealerships, and the dealerships here outsource their glass replacements, most likely to <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain>. All but one of the six windshields purchased have almost immediately chipped or cracked, something not covered by their warranty. Each time, it was some tiny little pebble or such that I doubt would have done any damage to an OEM windshield. Each time, they "repaired" the chip or crack by simply stopping it from getting worse. I'm a semi-retired senior citizen who has owned many dozens of vehicles over the last half century, and I don't remember ever needing to replace any windshields on 20th century automobiles. Has something changed?
Anyway, when I recently bought my old cosmetically challenged 2008 F150 Limited SuperCrew to restore, it still had the original factory glass, littered with little rock chips from 13 years of dirt road and off-road driving.
I cleaned up the truck cosmetically, repairing and replacing tons of parts, and finally, with it looking nearly showroom fresh, took it to <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain> to have the windshield replaced. I had been told they would install OEM glass on request at a higher cost, so I asked for OEM glass, complete with the Ford logo and the F150 factory lettering at the top. It looked great when I drove it away, although my rearview mirror was a tad loose. (I tightened it back up myself a few days later.)
I waited the specified 48 hours plus an additional 24, just in case, before having the truck washed. Driving through the car wash, Niagara Falls started flowing down on my dashboard. I grabbed shop towels, paper towels, coats, anything in the cab I could find to cover the dash for the 15 seconds or so of waterfall.
I took it back to <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain>, and they scheduled a time the following week to come to my home, remove, clean, and reinstall the windshield while I was at work. They did that, and all seemed okay (other than the rearview mirror, which was loose again) until I climbed up on a step stool to inspect the wiper blades. That's when I discovered the damage they had done to my truck.
The driver side windshield trim was just dangling there, unattached, and the 2-piece wiper cowling they had removed to access the bottom of the glass was broken at the screw mount on the passenger side and the tabs on the driver side were broken off and only held on by the wiper posts. I called <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain> (again), and they scheduled another appointment to come again to my home and correct the issues. But last night, before the appointment scheduled for today, I was driving on a local expressway with no vehicles anywhere around me when the new OEM windshield they had installed (twice) just started cracking at the bottom right-of-center and in seconds had made its way up and across the middle of the glass. No rock chips. No apparent cause.
I called and complained (again), and as of this moment, roughly 9:00 a.m. CDT, there are two <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain> vans in my driveway. The technicians agreed that it was a stress crack, probably caused by repeated mis-installations. They brought me another new OEM windshield and are installing it in my driveway as I write. I'm not sure what the final outcome will be, but these past two and a half weeks have been for me a kind of windshield replacement hell. Whether or not I drive 250 miles to the nearest reputable big city glass shop next time depends on how this situation plays out.
There. I've vented, but also perhaps warned a few of you to use trusted OEM glass installers when you get work done on your F150 or any other vehicle. I've read all sorts of online horror stories about aftermarket glass, but according to everything I could find, when a shop sells you OEM glass, it is manufactured by the same glass suppliers that furnish the factory glass to GM, Ford, Chrysler, etc., for new cars and must be the same thickness and material grade used in the factory glass. One article I found implied that some auto manufacturers' windshields have an additional chip resistant "clear coat" that is not part of the federally mandated glass standards for windshields. Perhaps some of you know whether that's the case.
I'll post again later to say how this debacle ends.
~Mike
UPDATE 9:35 a.m.:
Before I clicked Submit, the <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain> technicians called me to come out and review their work. The replacement OEM glass looks great (just like before). They had clipped down the windshield trim correctly, so that looks fine now. They told me that they had worked together to be absolutely sure that everything was installed correctly, positioned correctly, and sealed correctly. (They had also tightened the rearview mirror properly.) They gave me their manager's business card and said he should be calling me about the damaged cowling this morning, and if not, to call him. The lead technician gave me his own business card and said if anything at all was amiss, I should call him directly and he'd get it taken care of.
Again, I'll have to wait a couple of hours before driving the truck and 48 hours before washing it, but it looks like they have handled my complaints well and perhaps re-earned my trust. I'll reserve final judgment until after running the truck through the car wash. (I'll bring some bath towels this time, just in case.)
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 77
Likes: 14
From: Texas
Anyone else care to share their windshield / glass replacement horror stories?
Here's mine (I won't name the company, but I'm guessing you'll figure it out):
I have bought six windshields from <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain> over the past few years. They are pretty much the only game in town for me other than dealerships, and the dealerships here outsource their glass replacements, most likely to <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain>. All but one of the six windshields purchased have almost immediately chipped or cracked, something not covered by their warranty. Each time, it was some tiny little pebble or such that I doubt would have done any damage to an OEM windshield. Each time, they "repaired" the chip or crack by simply stopping it from getting worse. I'm a semi-retired senior citizen who has owned many dozens of vehicles over the last half century, and I don't remember ever needing to replace any windshields on 20th century automobiles. Has something changed?
Anyway, when I recently bought my old cosmetically challenged 2008 F150 Limited SuperCrew to restore, it still had the original factory glass, littered with little rock chips from 13 years of dirt road and off-road driving.
I cleaned up the truck cosmetically, repairing and replacing tons of parts, and finally, with it looking nearly showroom fresh, took it to <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain> to have the windshield replaced. I had been told they would install OEM glass on request at a higher cost, so I asked for OEM glass, complete with the Ford logo and the F150 factory lettering at the top. It looked great when I drove it away, although my rearview mirror was a tad loose. (I tightened it back up myself a few days later.)
I waited the specified 48 hours plus an additional 24, just in case, before having the truck washed. Driving through the car wash, Niagara Falls started flowing down on my dashboard. I grabbed shop towels, paper towels, coats, anything in the cab I could find to cover the dash for the 15 seconds or so of waterfall.
I took it back to <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain>, and they scheduled a time the following week to come to my home, remove, clean, and reinstall the windshield while I was at work. They did that, and all seemed okay (other than the rearview mirror, which was loose again) until I climbed up on a step stool to inspect the wiper blades. That's when I discovered the damage they had done to my truck.
The driver side windshield trim was just dangling there, unattached, and the 2-piece wiper cowling they had removed to access the bottom of the glass was broken at the screw mount on the passenger side and the tabs on the driver side were broken off and only held on by the wiper posts. I called <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain> (again), and they scheduled another appointment to come again to my home and correct the issues. But last night, before the appointment scheduled for today, I was driving on a local expressway with no vehicles anywhere around me when the new OEM windshield they had installed (twice) just started cracking at the bottom right-of-center and in seconds had made its way up and across the middle of the glass. No rock chips. No apparent cause.
I called and complained (again), and as of this moment, roughly 9:00 a.m. CDT, there are two <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain> vans in my driveway. The technicians agreed that it was a stress crack, probably caused by repeated mis-installations. They brought me another new OEM windshield and are installing it in my driveway as I write. I'm not sure what the final outcome will be, but these past two and a half weeks have been for me a kind of windshield replacement hell. Whether or not I drive 250 miles to the nearest reputable big city glass shop next time depends on how this situation plays out.
There. I've vented, but also perhaps warned a few of you to use trusted OEM glass installers when you get work done on your F150 or any other vehicle. I've read all sorts of online horror stories about aftermarket glass, but according to everything I could find, when a shop sells you OEM glass, it is manufactured by the same glass suppliers that furnish the factory glass to GM, Ford, Chrysler, etc., for new cars and must be the same thickness and material grade used in the factory glass. One article I found implied that some auto manufacturers' windshields have an additional chip resistant "clear coat" that is not part of the federally mandated glass standards for windshields. Perhaps some of you know whether that's the case.
I'll post again later to say how this debacle ends.
~Mike
UPDATE 9:35 a.m.:
Before I clicked Submit, the <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain> technicians called me to come out and review their work. The replacement OEM glass looks great (just like before). They had clipped down the windshield trim correctly, so that looks fine now. They told me that they had worked together to be absolutely sure that everything was installed correctly, positioned correctly, and sealed correctly. (They had also tightened the rearview mirror properly.) They gave me their manager's business card and said he should be calling me about the damaged cowling this morning, and if not, to call him. The lead technician gave me his own business card and said if anything at all was amiss, I should call him directly and he'd get it taken care of.
Again, I'll have to wait a couple of hours before driving the truck and 48 hours before washing it, but it looks like they have handled my complaints well and perhaps re-earned my trust. I'll reserve final judgment until after running the truck through the car wash. (I'll bring some bath towels this time, just in case.)
Here's mine (I won't name the company, but I'm guessing you'll figure it out):
I have bought six windshields from <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain> over the past few years. They are pretty much the only game in town for me other than dealerships, and the dealerships here outsource their glass replacements, most likely to <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain>. All but one of the six windshields purchased have almost immediately chipped or cracked, something not covered by their warranty. Each time, it was some tiny little pebble or such that I doubt would have done any damage to an OEM windshield. Each time, they "repaired" the chip or crack by simply stopping it from getting worse. I'm a semi-retired senior citizen who has owned many dozens of vehicles over the last half century, and I don't remember ever needing to replace any windshields on 20th century automobiles. Has something changed?
Anyway, when I recently bought my old cosmetically challenged 2008 F150 Limited SuperCrew to restore, it still had the original factory glass, littered with little rock chips from 13 years of dirt road and off-road driving.
I cleaned up the truck cosmetically, repairing and replacing tons of parts, and finally, with it looking nearly showroom fresh, took it to <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain> to have the windshield replaced. I had been told they would install OEM glass on request at a higher cost, so I asked for OEM glass, complete with the Ford logo and the F150 factory lettering at the top. It looked great when I drove it away, although my rearview mirror was a tad loose. (I tightened it back up myself a few days later.)
I waited the specified 48 hours plus an additional 24, just in case, before having the truck washed. Driving through the car wash, Niagara Falls started flowing down on my dashboard. I grabbed shop towels, paper towels, coats, anything in the cab I could find to cover the dash for the 15 seconds or so of waterfall.
I took it back to <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain>, and they scheduled a time the following week to come to my home, remove, clean, and reinstall the windshield while I was at work. They did that, and all seemed okay (other than the rearview mirror, which was loose again) until I climbed up on a step stool to inspect the wiper blades. That's when I discovered the damage they had done to my truck.
The driver side windshield trim was just dangling there, unattached, and the 2-piece wiper cowling they had removed to access the bottom of the glass was broken at the screw mount on the passenger side and the tabs on the driver side were broken off and only held on by the wiper posts. I called <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain> (again), and they scheduled another appointment to come again to my home and correct the issues. But last night, before the appointment scheduled for today, I was driving on a local expressway with no vehicles anywhere around me when the new OEM windshield they had installed (twice) just started cracking at the bottom right-of-center and in seconds had made its way up and across the middle of the glass. No rock chips. No apparent cause.
I called and complained (again), and as of this moment, roughly 9:00 a.m. CDT, there are two <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain> vans in my driveway. The technicians agreed that it was a stress crack, probably caused by repeated mis-installations. They brought me another new OEM windshield and are installing it in my driveway as I write. I'm not sure what the final outcome will be, but these past two and a half weeks have been for me a kind of windshield replacement hell. Whether or not I drive 250 miles to the nearest reputable big city glass shop next time depends on how this situation plays out.
There. I've vented, but also perhaps warned a few of you to use trusted OEM glass installers when you get work done on your F150 or any other vehicle. I've read all sorts of online horror stories about aftermarket glass, but according to everything I could find, when a shop sells you OEM glass, it is manufactured by the same glass suppliers that furnish the factory glass to GM, Ford, Chrysler, etc., for new cars and must be the same thickness and material grade used in the factory glass. One article I found implied that some auto manufacturers' windshields have an additional chip resistant "clear coat" that is not part of the federally mandated glass standards for windshields. Perhaps some of you know whether that's the case.
I'll post again later to say how this debacle ends.
~Mike
UPDATE 9:35 a.m.:
Before I clicked Submit, the <Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain> technicians called me to come out and review their work. The replacement OEM glass looks great (just like before). They had clipped down the windshield trim correctly, so that looks fine now. They told me that they had worked together to be absolutely sure that everything was installed correctly, positioned correctly, and sealed correctly. (They had also tightened the rearview mirror properly.) They gave me their manager's business card and said he should be calling me about the damaged cowling this morning, and if not, to call him. The lead technician gave me his own business card and said if anything at all was amiss, I should call him directly and he'd get it taken care of.
Again, I'll have to wait a couple of hours before driving the truck and 48 hours before washing it, but it looks like they have handled my complaints well and perhaps re-earned my trust. I'll reserve final judgment until after running the truck through the car wash. (I'll bring some bath towels this time, just in case.)
Waited until Saturday afternoon to wash my truck after new windshield (again) was installed on Wednesday.
Went through the car wash, and my dashboard and console got soaked again. These guys can't seal a windshield, and that's their profession.
They are returning (again) on Oct. 5 to fix the problem (again).
This will make four installations of two windshields.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 1,090
From: utah
Follow up:
Waited until Saturday afternoon to wash my truck after new windshield (again) was installed on Wednesday.
Went through the car wash, and my dashboard and console got soaked again. These guys can't seal a windshield, and that's their profession.
They are returning (again) on Oct. 5 to fix the problem (again).
This will make four installations of two windshields.
Waited until Saturday afternoon to wash my truck after new windshield (again) was installed on Wednesday.
Went through the car wash, and my dashboard and console got soaked again. These guys can't seal a windshield, and that's their profession.
They are returning (again) on Oct. 5 to fix the problem (again).
This will make four installations of two windshields.
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 14
Likes: 4
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2017
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Sounds like a local problem. I work at a wholesale auto auction house who has a contract with (<Nationally Advertised Windshield Chain>). I had them replace my pitted 200k mile windshield on my personal F150. They did the job in the parking lot while I was at work. I never saw them and they did a great job and left a discounted bill. It has been a few months with a number of frog strangling rains. No leaks, no cracks.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 1,090
From: utah
To the op: when it leak in is it coming from the top of the windshield or the bottom? I've seen on some old posts that there are these 'spacer blocks" for lack of a better term that are below the windshield penetrate through the cowl and can leak and I wouldn't necessarily expect the windshield guys to figure it out if that's where it leaks, but that leak would come out under/behind the dash not from above....
Edit: this https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts...-9l3z14030a12a
Edit: this https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts...-9l3z14030a12a
Last edited by needsmoarturbo; Oct 4, 2021 at 10:12 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 77
Likes: 14
From: Texas
Maybe the 3rd windshield's the charm...
Follow up:
Waited until Saturday afternoon to wash my truck after new windshield (again) was installed on Wednesday.
Went through the car wash, and my dashboard and console got soaked again. These guys can't seal a windshield, and that's their profession.
They are returning (again) on Oct. 5 to fix the problem (again).
This will make four installations of two windshields.
Waited until Saturday afternoon to wash my truck after new windshield (again) was installed on Wednesday.
Went through the car wash, and my dashboard and console got soaked again. These guys can't seal a windshield, and that's their profession.
They are returning (again) on Oct. 5 to fix the problem (again).
This will make four installations of two windshields.
So as of 10 minutes ago, it's four installations of THREE windshields. When they looked at it today, they noticed that the windshield was bowed or warped or whatever the term is that describes a windshield whose top edge is even with the top of the truck on each side, but a quarter-inch above the truck's top in the center. Bad glass, they said, and came back later today with a THIRD OEM windshield, which they've just finished installing in my driveway at no charge. While they were at it, they installed a brand new OEM wiper cowl to replace the one they damaged while putting in the first glass for the second time--the one that cracked from stress.
So now, I've got yet another clean, fresh, hopefully well-fitted and sealed OEM windshield and a brand new wiper cowl and the promise (again) that all will be well this time.
Again, we'll see what happens next.
Last edited by FMCovington; Oct 5, 2021 at 07:29 PM.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 77
Likes: 14
From: Texas
To the op: when it leak in is it coming from the top of the windshield or the bottom? I've seen on some old posts that there are these 'spacer blocks" for lack of a better term that are below the windshield penetrate through the cowl and can leak and I wouldn't necessarily expect the windshield guys to figure it out if that's where it leaks, but that leak would come out under/behind the dash not from above....
Edit: this https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts...-9l3z14030a12a
Edit: this https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts...-9l3z14030a12a
It was pouring in directly above the rearview mirror, TDC, so to say. But evidently that was caused by warped glass.
The new (third) one appears to be perfectly flat against the top of the cab now.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 77
Likes: 14
From: Texas
Follow-up on Windshield Horror Story - One Month Later...
So I guess I was overly optimistic when I last posted about what was then the most recent windshield replacement within what was then less than a month. Yesterday, the technician (different one, same company) came to install (free) yet another windshield in my truck.
The previous one was the third. I waited a full week before taking the truck to the car wash. I ran it through once, ran a few errands, then returned and ran it through a second time. A few hours later, I returned and ran it through a third time, and then later, a fourth.
No leaks! I was thrilled.
Then, as I drove away into the sunset, literally, an almost microscopic line all the way across the windshield became obvious when the sunlight hit it just right. It looked like tape residue, so when I got home, I got out the Windex and a cloth. That didn't get it off. Then, I tried Goo-Gone. That didn't get it off. Finally, I tried a razor blade scraper. Still nothing. When I put the windshield under a high-intensity light, I realized that is was a actually very fine scratch, perhaps from the installer's ring or perhaps from transporting the glass, who knew? At the same time, I spotted about a half-dozen deep scars on the top of my hood a few inches from the windshield edge. One was deep enough into the metal that I could run my finger over it and feel the spur.
I drove back to the company (whose name shall not be spoken) and had a couple of techs come out and look. They told me to take the truck to a specific auto body shop (whose owner is an old friend of mine) and have them send over the estimate, and that they would pay for the paint repair. Then, they took the truck into their bay and worked for about a half hour, finally coming out to say they got some, but could not remove or polish out most of the scratch.
They offered me another OEM replacement (i.e. windshield #4), and I said I'd try driving it first and let them know. I barely got out of my parking space before the sun hit the glass, where a NEW BIGGER SCRATCH had been added during their efforts.
I pulled back into my spot, went inside, and said I'd take them up on their 4th replacement offer. They made me a mobile appointment for yesterday morning.
When the installer (a different one, this time) showed up, I went out for an "educational" visit. I told him the history of my soon-to-be FOUR windshields in FIVE weeks. I told him exactly what had happened each time: first, a mis-sealed installation, then a re-installation of the same glass, then a stress crack caused from removing and reinstalling the first glass. Then, a replacement that leaked again like the first, but this time because the glass was warped and 1/4 inch higher than the roof of my truck above the rear view mirror. Then, yet another replacement--one that didn't leak, but had the nasty scratch all the way across the glass, as he could see. I explained that I had purchased seven windshields for seven cars over the past few years, and that this was the only one I had experienced issue with.
Finally, I showed the installer the paint damage his predecessors caused and explained that I was tired of dealing with windshields for this pickup, that I expected THIS installation to be the FINAL installation and THIS OEM windshield to be factory fresh, perfect in every way, not warped, not scratched, not improperly sealed, that I expected him to use his protective quilted cover over any auto body part that was vulnerable, and that I was going to inspect his work during and after this installation. He said he understood. Then he retrieved the new replacement glass from his van and laid it on a rubber-tipped stand to begin his work.
When he set the windshield onto the stand, I said, "There. Right there. Before you even think about putting that glass into my truck, you inspect it. Look at every square inch to be sure it's perfect. I'm not having another defective OEM windshield installed."
Then I walked into the house. In 15 minutes, I decided to go have a look at his progress. He was gone. His van was gone. My windshield had not been replaced. I didn't know whether I scared him, pissed him off, or there was some other reason he had to leave.
Then I got a text message saying he had to go to the OEM glass warehouse to get ANOTHER windshield, because there were indeed flaws in the new one they had furnished him. Bravo. I saved myself from a FIFTH windshield.
In an hour, he returned, and I saw him out by his van, peeling the factory protective wrap from the windshield. He installed it and called me out to inspect it. I didn't see anything wrong, but I didn't see anything the previous times. I asked, "Is this going to leak?" "No, sir."
"Okay, thank you." He packed up and left. Last night, I went out to move the truck to a different spot when I realized he hadn't transferred the license/registration sticker, toll sticker, etc., to the new windshield.
I called them this morning and they said the windshield had already been tossed in the dumpster and hauled away. (BS. It was a warranty job.) I suggested the installer might have laid my stickers in his van and then forgotten them. They said they would check with the installer. In a few minutes, the installer called me and apologized and immediately delivered and transferred the stickers he had indeed laid in his van.
I still haven't driven the truck--only moved it from my front driveway to my back driveway. I'll wait till the weekend to wash the truck again, but I'll be driving it later today and tonight. We'll see if the FOURTH OEM windshield fixes the situation.
Final report still pending. I'll file it later. 🙄
The previous one was the third. I waited a full week before taking the truck to the car wash. I ran it through once, ran a few errands, then returned and ran it through a second time. A few hours later, I returned and ran it through a third time, and then later, a fourth.
No leaks! I was thrilled.
Then, as I drove away into the sunset, literally, an almost microscopic line all the way across the windshield became obvious when the sunlight hit it just right. It looked like tape residue, so when I got home, I got out the Windex and a cloth. That didn't get it off. Then, I tried Goo-Gone. That didn't get it off. Finally, I tried a razor blade scraper. Still nothing. When I put the windshield under a high-intensity light, I realized that is was a actually very fine scratch, perhaps from the installer's ring or perhaps from transporting the glass, who knew? At the same time, I spotted about a half-dozen deep scars on the top of my hood a few inches from the windshield edge. One was deep enough into the metal that I could run my finger over it and feel the spur.
I drove back to the company (whose name shall not be spoken) and had a couple of techs come out and look. They told me to take the truck to a specific auto body shop (whose owner is an old friend of mine) and have them send over the estimate, and that they would pay for the paint repair. Then, they took the truck into their bay and worked for about a half hour, finally coming out to say they got some, but could not remove or polish out most of the scratch.
They offered me another OEM replacement (i.e. windshield #4), and I said I'd try driving it first and let them know. I barely got out of my parking space before the sun hit the glass, where a NEW BIGGER SCRATCH had been added during their efforts.
I pulled back into my spot, went inside, and said I'd take them up on their 4th replacement offer. They made me a mobile appointment for yesterday morning.
When the installer (a different one, this time) showed up, I went out for an "educational" visit. I told him the history of my soon-to-be FOUR windshields in FIVE weeks. I told him exactly what had happened each time: first, a mis-sealed installation, then a re-installation of the same glass, then a stress crack caused from removing and reinstalling the first glass. Then, a replacement that leaked again like the first, but this time because the glass was warped and 1/4 inch higher than the roof of my truck above the rear view mirror. Then, yet another replacement--one that didn't leak, but had the nasty scratch all the way across the glass, as he could see. I explained that I had purchased seven windshields for seven cars over the past few years, and that this was the only one I had experienced issue with.
Finally, I showed the installer the paint damage his predecessors caused and explained that I was tired of dealing with windshields for this pickup, that I expected THIS installation to be the FINAL installation and THIS OEM windshield to be factory fresh, perfect in every way, not warped, not scratched, not improperly sealed, that I expected him to use his protective quilted cover over any auto body part that was vulnerable, and that I was going to inspect his work during and after this installation. He said he understood. Then he retrieved the new replacement glass from his van and laid it on a rubber-tipped stand to begin his work.
When he set the windshield onto the stand, I said, "There. Right there. Before you even think about putting that glass into my truck, you inspect it. Look at every square inch to be sure it's perfect. I'm not having another defective OEM windshield installed."
Then I walked into the house. In 15 minutes, I decided to go have a look at his progress. He was gone. His van was gone. My windshield had not been replaced. I didn't know whether I scared him, pissed him off, or there was some other reason he had to leave.
Then I got a text message saying he had to go to the OEM glass warehouse to get ANOTHER windshield, because there were indeed flaws in the new one they had furnished him. Bravo. I saved myself from a FIFTH windshield.
In an hour, he returned, and I saw him out by his van, peeling the factory protective wrap from the windshield. He installed it and called me out to inspect it. I didn't see anything wrong, but I didn't see anything the previous times. I asked, "Is this going to leak?" "No, sir."
"Okay, thank you." He packed up and left. Last night, I went out to move the truck to a different spot when I realized he hadn't transferred the license/registration sticker, toll sticker, etc., to the new windshield.
I called them this morning and they said the windshield had already been tossed in the dumpster and hauled away. (BS. It was a warranty job.) I suggested the installer might have laid my stickers in his van and then forgotten them. They said they would check with the installer. In a few minutes, the installer called me and apologized and immediately delivered and transferred the stickers he had indeed laid in his van.
I still haven't driven the truck--only moved it from my front driveway to my back driveway. I'll wait till the weekend to wash the truck again, but I'll be driving it later today and tonight. We'll see if the FOURTH OEM windshield fixes the situation.
Final report still pending. I'll file it later. 🙄
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 77
Likes: 14
From: Texas
Just to follow up with a FINAL REPORT on my windshield horror story:
It's now mid November. On October 20, the area manager of the windshield company met me at a different store location, observed the huge defect (looked like a 4-inch magnifying glass embedded in the center of windshield number 4), was astonished and apologetic, oversaw a correct installation of a quality-inspected OEM windshield, verified the damage done to the paint on my hood by the previous removal and replacement (dropped tools on the unprotected paint that installers were supposed to cover with a protective blanket, but didn't), authorized getting my hood repaired/repainted at their cost, and verified the finished installation. Finally, I got a flaw-free OEM windshield installed, which to this date has not leaked during about 10 car washes.
In summary, there were six total windshield removals and replacements involving five new OEM windshields (all Ford Carlite glass), and one removal and reinstallation of the same glass.
1) installed original new OEM replacement windshield,
2) removed and reinstalled original replacement glass, sealing better,
3) removed and replaced original windshield due to stress crack caused by removal and replacement
4) removed and replaced most recent windshield, this time due to warped glass,
5) removed and replaced previously replaced windshield, this time due to hairline scratch from left to right in driver's line of vision,
6) removed and replaced previous windshield with magnifying-glass-like factory defect bubble in the center
Thus ends my windshield horror story. The newest glass seems fine.
My advice is to ask to inspect the glass of the new windshield before and after installation.
I would suggest bring along a pin-striped reflective panel, such as those used during paintless dent removal, so that warps and other optical defects are more obvious.
I hope this crap never happens to any of you.
It's now mid November. On October 20, the area manager of the windshield company met me at a different store location, observed the huge defect (looked like a 4-inch magnifying glass embedded in the center of windshield number 4), was astonished and apologetic, oversaw a correct installation of a quality-inspected OEM windshield, verified the damage done to the paint on my hood by the previous removal and replacement (dropped tools on the unprotected paint that installers were supposed to cover with a protective blanket, but didn't), authorized getting my hood repaired/repainted at their cost, and verified the finished installation. Finally, I got a flaw-free OEM windshield installed, which to this date has not leaked during about 10 car washes.
In summary, there were six total windshield removals and replacements involving five new OEM windshields (all Ford Carlite glass), and one removal and reinstallation of the same glass.
1) installed original new OEM replacement windshield,
2) removed and reinstalled original replacement glass, sealing better,
3) removed and replaced original windshield due to stress crack caused by removal and replacement
4) removed and replaced most recent windshield, this time due to warped glass,
5) removed and replaced previously replaced windshield, this time due to hairline scratch from left to right in driver's line of vision,
6) removed and replaced previous windshield with magnifying-glass-like factory defect bubble in the center
Thus ends my windshield horror story. The newest glass seems fine.
My advice is to ask to inspect the glass of the new windshield before and after installation.
I would suggest bring along a pin-striped reflective panel, such as those used during paintless dent removal, so that warps and other optical defects are more obvious.
I hope this crap never happens to any of you.