Finally getting around to replacing my cracked windshield in 2013 GS350. It cracked on the passenger side a couple months ago and has slowly grown accross and is now annoyingly in my vision on the driver side.

Anyone have any advice for prepping the car before they show up? Also, anyone give a tip? I wouldn't mind tipping if they do a clean job of it but some people are opposed to it.

I thought I'd throw some moving blankets over the leather and put a towel on the dash. I'm most concerned with damage to the dash depending on tools they use. I asked if they can avoid power tools and the guy on the phone said he'd pass on my request to the installer.

They're coming to my work and will be able to work under covered parking so can keep out of the sun.

Any advice on removing the windshield wiper cowling? Should I do it myself or is it easy enough for them? Will the whole thing come off after removing the two wiper nuts? On the driver side in the engine bay there is a small cover over something that is attached to the wiper cowling and then there is one removable clip at the front but I'm not sure if it is removable from the cowling. Anyone know?

I'm having Penske Auto Glass do it. A local Lexus dealer that is owned by Penske referred me to them. I had tried to get another company to do it that a different Lexus dealer referred me to but after talking to them once, they never returned my calls.

I'm having them put in PGW glass, formerly PPG I think. It's the highest glass they have next to the factory and will be about $600.00 installed with new molding etc. The factory glass is over $1300.00

 

Here, these links will keep you busy for a while...with the last link providing you with what 'could' go wrong with an aftermarket windshield:

► https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...placement.html

► https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...placement.html

► https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...gw-vs-oem.html

► https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...on-wheels.html

 

If it were mine, I'd prefer to be present when they install. I've had so many issues with service people through the years and not just automotive.

 

I think I've browsed most of those already though I don't think they really adressed all my questions.

I'm torn on the factory glass vs other but I really don't want to spend the extra money as I don't have glass coverage and PGW glass seems to have pretty good reputation so I hope my glass will be ok.

 

I'm going to be there but I don't know that I want to stand there and watch them for an hour, plus I'll be at work. I'd like to do that but if it were me I'd hate to have someone hovering around the whole time. However, if I were a skilled installer that did a good job, I'm sure I wouldn't care. If I were less experienced it'd probably bother me less but I hope they would send different people to work on a Lexus compared to somebody's F150 work truck.

 

One issue I had with non-Lexus glass was on my RX350. The automatic rain sensors never worked correctly with the new install. And with my Ridgeline the replacement windshield developed a squeak in the cooler months like it didn't get a full seal. In both cases I waited too long to complain as much as I should have. Just check the repair thoroughly before you accept it as finished.

 

The tough part about getting glass replaced with aftermarket is that things might pop up later that you don't realize at first and its something you might end up having to live with b/c of the hassle and cost. Things like glare or how clear the glass is compared to OEM and how sensors/defrosters/deicers will work is another consideration.

Although, i'm a big proponent of finding good aftermarket parts - in this case i'm seeing the front glass for around $726 locally with a fixed shipping cost of $150: https://parts.rallyelexus.com/p/Lexu...610130977.html

But you're getting the entire glass + install for $600 which is a heck of a deal. Did your local dealer quote over $1300 for just the glass w/o install??

 

The two local Lexus dealers closest to me don't do windshields themselves so I got no quotes from them. One referred me to Penske which quoted about $1,350.00 for oem glass installed and about $650 for PGW glass installed. He also gave me the price just the glass which was about $900 vs $200 respectively so the diff of about $450 is molding, seal and labor. I contacted the company the other dealer referred me to and gave me a quote of about $580 for "oem" glass which was probably not factory and is probably close to what I'm getting for $650 from Penske.