Broken Windshield - Anyone Used Safe Lite For Replacement

Windshield replaced last week by AAA in my driveway. They installed Pilkington glass who apparently also make Toyota/Tacoma OEM windshields. Very satisfied with install, very clear, no leaks, no wavy panorama aberration/distortion, and no weird wind noises at speed. Also have USAA insurance but glass coverage extra in RI. Total cost about $250. Had quote from local dealership for Toyota OEM glass at around $850.
Reinstall of the ImMrYo Rear-view Mirror Lift Bracket is now perfect with about 1/8 inch clearance below the headliner. Perhaps most useful mod I made on my Tacoma.

 

After checking with Safelite they did have me scheduled for a non OEM windshield. To do an OEM windshield I would have to cancel my appointment and have an OEM approved by USAA and reschedule. The OEE costs me nothing and he said the OEM might have an additional charge. He then read the spiel about how their windshields meet the same standards as the OEM. We shall see. OEE going in tomorrow morning.

Thanks everyone for their input.

Rick

 

Had a safelite creep install my 2'nd windshield. When I made my insurance claim - they use safelite - I made sure to request for an OEM replacement.

They showed up w/ a non-oem windshield. Made them return to the "warehouse" to get my OEM glass.

They refused to do an OEM seal saying that they couldn't do anything other than the seals they provide.

Howls like a motherfucker in a cross wind if I'm driving >70mph

 

I had a bad experience that they ultimately made right

Took the truck in for windshield replacement after the OEM was cracked by a rock on the highway. On my drive home, I realized they had not sealed the windshield properly resulting in a loud whistling noise. I turned around and went back. They had to order a new windshield and were not able to use the one they had just installed for some reason. A week later I went back. This time the windshield was sealed well but they had dented the notoriously fragile roof on my 2nd gen by leaning on it. I pointed this out and was told they did not cause the dent. I knew for a fact that they did.

Long story made short, I wrote a negative Yelp review on the shop and was quickly contacted by corporate (I planned to contact them a day later but they reached out first). I explained the situation and they ended up paying for paintless dent removal at the shop of my choosing.


Summary: Some locations are better than others. My experience with the local shop was terrible but my dealings with Safelite corporate were very positive.

 

If you are in the San Antonio Tx. area - here's the place to go. Been around since 1937 - family operation. Have used them a number of times.

http://meyerglassco.com/

 

What is removed to replace the windshield? Wipers ? Rear view mirror? Cowl?

 

They did a good job on my 2008 Tacoma. Used them with other vehicles very happy with them.

 

I have read that they use Chinese sourced glass, not necessarily a bad thing, what you get out of a Chinese suppier is what you demand.

I know that the OEM Prius wheels I ordered for snows for my wife's car a few years back were OEM Toyota out of China and they looked identical to the Japan sourced wheels that came on the car.

The Mk VII GTI wheels are made in China.

That being said, on a vehicle that the glass was a structural member, (not really applicable to Tacoma's since they has a full frame underneath the cab, although the integrity of your frame may vary), I would tend to go with OEM glass.

I saw numbers of $250 for SafeLite and $850 for OEM.

I guess how troubled you will be not seeing the Toyota logo on the corner of your windshield.

Myself, I'd go with the OEM even it costs a lot more, but then again, I am paid to be anal, and it seems to transfer to the rest of my life.

I did have SafeLite do the windshield on our 1997 Paseo Convertible we had at the time (2009), and it seemed like a good job. We only had the car a few months after that, so I can't report on long term.

If I remember right (without digging through files) it was around $200.

 

Zero cost for the Safelite glass and unknown cost for the OEM. Plus USAA is dealing with Safelite. If there is an issue I will report it to USAA and let them deal with Safelite.

 

Have used satellite 2x for windshields, both times not OEM and both Pilkington replacements, no issues, good fit and finish and zero costs. Both windshields on two different cars - owned for 5 and 3 years respectively after installs. No reason for me to doubt them.

FYI: neither car was a Toyota and neither used Pilkington as OEM

 

I never had issues with safelite window installation until after I had them replace one on the Tacoma, after it was installed it leaked water and made a horrible wind howl at freeway speeds. The made it right though.

 

They replaced my windshield and I cannot tell the difference between the new and original windshield. Well pleased with the local Safe Lite.

If you are too busy to take your truck to them they will send a mobile unit to your home or workplace.

 

Safe Lite,no thanks they cost nothing out of your pocket simply because the glass is cheap.I will pay a little more too get a Toyota one.

 

USAA here as well and I have a safelite replacement. I'm on seal #3 right now. Within three weeks of Arizona summer the first one peeled up at multiple spots. They drove out to my house to fix it, then the truck sat for three months and the same thing happened. So far I'm at about six months on this latest one without any issues. I've never replaced a windshield gasket, but it seems like they aren't stretching them enough? Or maybe too much and the heat causes it to shrink to the point of popping out. I'd suggest just getting OEM if you can get a discount with insurance.

 

It's a big box franchise.

The have the right tools and materials available, and there is nothing magical about the work, or the Tacoma.

Successful results will be totally dependent on the tech.

 

I used to work for safelite, things have really improved since I was there. But just like any repair, it depends on the tech you get.
Some guys were known for "stuffing" which was just get the glass in as fast as possible.
They have tried to reduce that be making incentives to get paid based on warranty work that comes back for each tech instead of getting paid by the job.
But overall decent work.
They have a national training so you get the same training no matter where you are. Plus the smaller areas the guys are more likely to be careful due to a warranty. It would hurt monthly because they have less work.
Hope it goes well.

 

Subbed, about to go through this (State Farm). Curious how much I'll pay extra for an OEM.

 

If possible, make sure the installation is done on a warm day(or indoors) so the adhesives and sealers can work properly. If not you can end up with engine noise/road noise in the cabin or worse leaks. Ask me how I know. My replacement wasn't done through SafeLite. The technician doing the install is what can make the difference.

 

Supposed to be a nice sunny 80° today.

 

OK, windshield in. Great communication by Safelite. The tech was super friendly and very professional. I watched a Safelite installation on youtube this morning and the tech did exactly as the video showed. He was very meticulous. He said that he was one of their "roving" techs that services several counties and if there is a problem with a job he is the one who has to come back and fix it.

There is only one thing I am not sure about are the side seals. The glass is made by Fuyao and comes with the seals installed. The side seals look kind of odd. They taper in the corners but open up with a channel about 1/4" tall down the entire side of the windshield. Perhaps this is some kind of channel designed for water flow, but it looks odd and I don't recall this on my OEM windshield. Someone posted earlier about wind noise in cross winds and I wonder if this might be the culprit? The channel is hard to see in the pics but here are a few shots. Overall I am super pleased with the job. I just hope the side molding channels are not an issue. I would like to know if anyone else who got the Fuyao glass got similar side channels.