Windshield Replacement Glass???

[Buffalo]

Does anyone have any advice regarding windshield replacement glass? Is there much difference in quality of glass? I've heard that there is a difference.



Are you better off going with Mopar replacement or, are companies like Safelite OK to use?



Thanks for your suggestions.



Joe F.

 

[Wiredawg]

I think the after market glass is fine... safety glass is safety glass. Had two windshield replaced in 30 years... no problem. The labor is where the quality differs... check references and BBB.



Wiredawg



Wiredawg

 

[Regcabguy]

My '99 came w/Mexican supplied funhouse quality glass. Seriously,when a rock took out the windshield,the American supplied one was vastly better. My '07 was built down there and the windshield is fine.

 

[DPKetchum]

Most replacement glass comes from the same place(warehouse). AT least in Greater Atlanta it does. A decent glass replacement company will get a quality glass. Its the installer that matters.

 

[Bob4x4]

Be carefull,we are seeing off shore glass now. I have seen some distorted replacements.



Bob

 

[MSicotte]

When I replaced my winshield I found the Mopar replacement to only be $40 more than the aftermarket. I'm a licenced tech and replaced lots of windshields when I worked for BMW. I've seen the waves in some of the aftermarket windshields, there is no way I'd buy anything other than OEM.

 

[Buffalo]

Thanks for your replies. The new windshield was installed this afternoon by Safelite Auto Glass, here in Phoenix. The Mopar glass was no longer available for the '91 W-250 so I ended up with a Pilkington (formerly LOF [Libby, Owens, Ford]), which, is made in Mexico. I drove the truck after the installation & didn't notice anything I couldn't live with. Didn't see any waves in the glass.



It's nice to have a nice, clear windshield, again.



Thanks, again.



Joe F.

 

[p-Bar]

To bad as Bob says a large plant in China produces a lot of it and a plant in mexico all junk in my opinion. I had broken my windshield in my 99 with 2k miles on it. it cost me 30 dollars more for the factory glass. I think people are such shoppers for the cheapest price they qoute it automatically with the junk so they can get the job.

 

[TheBigSgt]

I have used nothing but safelite and that includes what I've done at the dealership. Most likely well over 200 from them and NEVER a complaint from Friends, Family, and customers!

 

[jelag]

Glass for vehicles has to meet a federal safety standard... b the time your big enough to make and meet the standards I bet anyone would be fine...

I have a company come out and do 2-4 of our trucks at a time based on how bad they are... .

It usually costs from 129-139 based on the model of vehicle for them to do it... . I've never asked for custom stuff just replace what is there with the same style...

Between the dirt blasting over time or breaking them from rocks it seems that we do this at least every 18-24 months. .

 

[HBarlow]

I'm going to disagree with the posters who said all windshields are the same.



My first Dodge Ram, an '01 was dealer traded before I bought it. I don't know but always wondered if the OEM windshield had been damaged and replaced. Every single time a tiny foreign object hit that windshield it chipped or cracked. I had never seen such a poor quality windshield. I finally had the original replaced at Safelite and for another hundred thousand miles or so never got another chip.



There are differences in quality of windshields.

 

[BigPapa]

We had a windshield put in my wifes Caprice years ago. It had a definite wave in it right in front of the driver. Called the installer back out twice and they said it was in spec both times. Don't know what brand it was.



Scott

 

[Bob V]

I like the ones on the new trucks. A rams head above the rear view mirror.

 

[DPKetchum]

I used different installers in Greater Atlanta for years. Never ordered one through parts dept. To much chance of breakage in shipment. I really can't remember a issue with quality of glass or any complaints on product. Some complaints on the installation. I left the business in 2001. Didn't handle many winshield replacements but maybe a max of 9 to 12 a year. Had a Safelite store nearby last place I worked but didn't use them. No particular reason I can remember just didn't. Used one guy that handled a lot of high vehicles with never a issue of any sort.

 

[Briman]

My windshield has had many rock hits in five years. Two of them started a crack in the outer layer. Both cracks self healed. In other words the cracks disapeared. I have heard of self healing windshields and it appears the factory glass in my truck has this feature. When I need a replacement I would go with the Mopar and hope for the same self healing properties.

 

[mberry]

I'm going to disagree with the posters who said all windshields are the same.

My first Dodge Ram, an '01 was dealer traded before I bought it. I don't know but always wondered if the OEM windshield had been damaged and replaced. Every single time a tiny foreign object hit that windshield it chipped or cracked. I had never seen such a poor quality windshield. I finally had the original replaced at Safelite and for another hundred thousand miles or so never got another chip.

There are differences in quality of windshields.

Mine is a factory windshield (unless it was replaced before I picked it up with 19 miles on it) and it is a POS. Even a small pebble will chip it or put pits in it. I have had some good sized rocks hit it and bounce off too while leaving good size damage. Luckily only one small place is directly in front of me in the driver's seat. I'm ready to have it replaced . I'm going to go with a PPG product that was discussed in another thread. They are supposed to be superior to Safelite or OEM. Needless to say I'm unhappy with the quality of the glass and I'm hoping the aftermarket has something of higher quality and durability.

 

[JWHays]

Here's one for ya...

While changing a wiper blade, the arm accidently hit the windshield and the windshield cracked like you wouldn't believe. I'm putting a nice beach towel on the windshield the next time I do the wiper thing.

I went to the dealer and found out they send it out to a local glass outfit for replacement.



... john