my windshield just decided to crack today - HELP
04-12-13, 02:09 PM
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my windshield just decided to crack today - HELP
a few days ago i heard what sounded like a rock hitting my windshield. i inspected the windshield after parking but didnt notice any damage or cracks. today as i was washing my car and lifting the wipers to wipe down the water, i noticed a small rock chip a little below the wiper sitting area. it didnt look that bad so i thought nothing of it and finished washing and as i was cleaning the interior, i noticed a huge gash looking crack forming from the area of the crack in front of my eyes. it starts from the bottom of the windshield itself all the way to about mid-height of the glass. i believe the california heat caused it to cause the crack to spread wider.
my insurance wants $1000 deductible to have it covered, dealer wants $1500 for replacement including tax and labor, and local shops are asking about $375-400 for an OEM glass but without the lexus logo. i don't remember what brand it was but he told me its the same glass that manufacturers for lexus but the only difference is its not branded with the lexus logo.
can any of you guys suggest the best option for this unfortunate event?
my insurance wants $1000 deductible to have it covered, dealer wants $1500 for replacement including tax and labor, and local shops are asking about $375-400 for an OEM glass but without the lexus logo. i don't remember what brand it was but he told me its the same glass that manufacturers for lexus but the only difference is its not branded with the lexus logo.
can any of you guys suggest the best option for this unfortunate event?
04-12-13, 02:11 PM
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also, everyone is asking if it has the rain sensors or the windshield is heated. i told them rain sensor yes and heated no. correct me if i am wrong.
04-12-13, 02:26 PM
#3
Had the same thing happen to me a few years ago on the 08 ISF. Rock hit in the middle of the windshield, crack spread over the next couple of days, had to get it replaced.
Tried to go through insurance to get a genuine Lexus windshield, but they wouldn't do it. I believe the cost was around $1500 total as well. Went 3rd party for $300 installed. It has the cutout for the rain sensor, so fitment wasn't an issue. If I remember correctly, I think the brand was "Pilkington."
I could tell that there was no "rain repellent" properties like the OEM windshield, so I just applied Aquapel. But otherwise, sound insulation and clarity seem identical to OEM, I had no issues with it.
I believe the installer makes a big difference. The way they clean up and apply the sealant is important for noise.
A few months later, another rock hit the replacement windshield. Had it repaired instead since it didn't crack. No reason to spend $1500+ for an OEM windshield when rocks chips are inevitable.
Tried to go through insurance to get a genuine Lexus windshield, but they wouldn't do it. I believe the cost was around $1500 total as well. Went 3rd party for $300 installed. It has the cutout for the rain sensor, so fitment wasn't an issue. If I remember correctly, I think the brand was "Pilkington."
I could tell that there was no "rain repellent" properties like the OEM windshield, so I just applied Aquapel. But otherwise, sound insulation and clarity seem identical to OEM, I had no issues with it.
I believe the installer makes a big difference. The way they clean up and apply the sealant is important for noise.
A few months later, another rock hit the replacement windshield. Had it repaired instead since it didn't crack. No reason to spend $1500+ for an OEM windshield when rocks chips are inevitable.
04-12-13, 02:39 PM
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Had the same thing happen to me a few years ago on the 08 ISF. Rock hit in the middle of the windshield, crack spread over the next couple of days, had to get it replaced.
Tried to go through insurance to get a genuine Lexus windshield, but they wouldn't do it. I believe the cost was around $1500 total as well. Went 3rd party for $300 installed. It has the cutout for the rain sensor, so fitment wasn't an issue. If I remember correctly, I think the brand was "Pilkington."
I could tell that there was no "rain repellent" properties like the OEM windshield, so I just applied Aquapel. But otherwise, sound insulation and clarity seem identical to OEM, I had no issues with it.
I believe the installer makes a big difference. The way they clean up and apply the sealant is important for noise.
A few months later, another rock hit the replacement windshield. Had it repaired instead since it didn't crack. No reason to spend $1500+ for an OEM windshield when rocks chips are inevitable.
Tried to go through insurance to get a genuine Lexus windshield, but they wouldn't do it. I believe the cost was around $1500 total as well. Went 3rd party for $300 installed. It has the cutout for the rain sensor, so fitment wasn't an issue. If I remember correctly, I think the brand was "Pilkington."
I could tell that there was no "rain repellent" properties like the OEM windshield, so I just applied Aquapel. But otherwise, sound insulation and clarity seem identical to OEM, I had no issues with it.
I believe the installer makes a big difference. The way they clean up and apply the sealant is important for noise.
A few months later, another rock hit the replacement windshield. Had it repaired instead since it didn't crack. No reason to spend $1500+ for an OEM windshield when rocks chips are inevitable.
04-12-13, 03:06 PM
#5
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Club Lexus price for the OEM windshield from Sewell Lexus is $693.62. The OEM glass has some unique features, but at the end of the day, it's up to you. Install will include the glass and some other parts that get destroyed removing the old glass, but as said above, the installation is the key part. If the installer doesn't do good work, it won't matter how good the glass is.
04-12-13, 03:17 PM
#6
Thanks, just remembered, that the 2 black "side panels" along with the plastic clips underneath will be destroyed. The panels cover both sides of the windshield for aero, noise, dirt reduction most likely.
The installer had no choice but to break the clips to remove the windshield, and was going to "glue" them back on, but the clips in the Panel themselves were broken too.
I had to purchase them from Sewell along with 10 plastic "clips" for them. Pretty pricey too, I think it was over $100 shipped for both panels and clips.
Update: found the invoice for the panels/molding:
$37.16 per molding, Right/Left
$3.90 each plastic molding clip, I ordered 12 of them just in case. You will need 10.
The installer had no choice but to break the clips to remove the windshield, and was going to "glue" them back on, but the clips in the Panel themselves were broken too.
I had to purchase them from Sewell along with 10 plastic "clips" for them. Pretty pricey too, I think it was over $100 shipped for both panels and clips.
Update: found the invoice for the panels/molding:
$37.16 per molding, Right/Left
$3.90 each plastic molding clip, I ordered 12 of them just in case. You will need 10.
Club Lexus price for the OEM windshield from Sewell Lexus is $693.62. The OEM glass has some unique features, but at the end of the day, it's up to you. Install will include the glass and some other parts that get destroyed removing the old glass, but as said above, the installation is the key part. If the installer doesn't do good work, it won't matter how good the glass is.
Last edited by itsmike177; 04-12-13 at 03:25 PM.
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04-12-13, 03:41 PM
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Thanks, just remembered, that the 2 black "side panels" along with the plastic clips underneath will be destroyed. The panels cover both sides of the windshield for aero, noise, dirt reduction most likely.
The installer had no choice but to break the clips to remove the windshield, and was going to "glue" them back on, but the clips in the Panel themselves were broken too.
I had to purchase them from Sewell along with 10 plastic "clips" for them. Pretty pricey too, I think it was over $100 shipped for both panels and clips.
Update: found the invoice for the panels/molding:
$37.16 per molding, Right/Left
$3.90 each plastic molding clip, I ordered 12 of them just in case. You will need 10.
The installer had no choice but to break the clips to remove the windshield, and was going to "glue" them back on, but the clips in the Panel themselves were broken too.
I had to purchase them from Sewell along with 10 plastic "clips" for them. Pretty pricey too, I think it was over $100 shipped for both panels and clips.
Update: found the invoice for the panels/molding:
$37.16 per molding, Right/Left
$3.90 each plastic molding clip, I ordered 12 of them just in case. You will need 10.
04-12-13, 03:43 PM
#9
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Club Lexus price for the OEM windshield from Sewell Lexus is $693.62. The OEM glass has some unique features, but at the end of the day, it's up to you. Install will include the glass and some other parts that get destroyed removing the old glass, but as said above, the installation is the key part. If the installer doesn't do good work, it won't matter how good the glass is.
04-12-13, 04:22 PM
#11
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Send Borje.Orthagen@se.nsg.com and email. He's the Pilkington rep for automotive glass in Japan. If anyone knows, he does.
04-12-13, 05:54 PM
#12
FWIW - I had the windshield replaced in my last Lexus by the dealer's glass shop but to satisfy my insurance company they installed Plinkinton "OEM' glass and it was terrible. Install was good but the glass was a much lighter tint, didn't block as much sound, didn't repel water like the original and the rain sensing wipers didn't work as well as before. Price difference was substantial and the car was a lease but be warned - it won't be the same. It was the first time I couldn't get my insurance to pay for "logo" glass.
Dave Mac
Dave Mac
04-12-13, 05:56 PM
#13
a few days ago i heard what sounded like a rock hitting my windshield. i inspected the windshield after parking but didnt notice any damage or cracks. today as i was washing my car and lifting the wipers to wipe down the water, i noticed a small rock chip a little below the wiper sitting area. it didnt look that bad so i thought nothing of it and finished washing and as i was cleaning the interior, i noticed a huge gash looking crack forming from the area of the crack in front of my eyes. it starts from the bottom of the windshield itself all the way to about mid-height of the glass. i believe the california heat caused it to cause the crack to spread wider.
my insurance wants $1000 deductible to have it covered, dealer wants $1500 for replacement including tax and labor, and local shops are asking about $375-400 for an OEM glass but without the lexus logo. i don't remember what brand it was but he told me its the same glass that manufacturers for lexus but the only difference is its not branded with the lexus logo.
can any of you guys suggest the best option for this unfortunate event?
my insurance wants $1000 deductible to have it covered, dealer wants $1500 for replacement including tax and labor, and local shops are asking about $375-400 for an OEM glass but without the lexus logo. i don't remember what brand it was but he told me its the same glass that manufacturers for lexus but the only difference is its not branded with the lexus logo.
can any of you guys suggest the best option for this unfortunate event?
Having had several hundred customer windshields replaced by this point, I will say that the. Installer is the biggest source of potential contention here. If the installer has been doing this for some time
And is good the glass quality is the least of your concerns. Just make sure you have an experienced and competent installer and you should be fine. For what it's worth in the Pittsburgh area we have had a ****load of problems with safelite auto glass. A LOT of leaks which is the normal issue with auto glass installs. Hope this helps.
