Cracked Windshield.. any advice?

On the way back from Arizona, a little pebble made a crack at the very bottom of my windshield on the left side. Two weeks later the crack was up to 6 inches long, and now a month later the crack is about halfway up the windshield. I'm almost positive I'm going to have to completely replace it.. just thought I'd see if anyone else on here had any ideas as to any other options or if anyone knows a place to get a new/used windshield in the South Bay in California.

 

safelite repair, safelite replace.

damn commercial is stuck in my head. Check into them. They are cheap and the come to your house or work

 

Did you check with your insurance company first?

My carrier (Geico) will replace it for free.

 

Next time get it quick while it's small (no a/c, no heat - do differential in temperatures from either side) get it fixed for $50

 

I'm with AAA, it's a $500 deductable.. looks like either way I'm dropping 5 bills

 

DON'T USE SAFELITE!

They are crooks and there glass is substandard in my experience as a sale tech and as a customer. I used to be in the glass industry and the only thing that should be going into these trucks are factory OEM glass. I think it's pilkington or PPG for Toyota, but I could be wrong. Safelite makes their own windshields with substandard sand and, they install with cheap sealants and molding. Thus leaving your truck vulnerable to leaks, and in the case of a roll over less structurally sound (the windshield is designed to help support the roof in the case of a roll over).

You vehicle should have full glass coverage if you owe money one it. Check with you insurance company to make sure you don't have this before you spend cash. When you get it replaced ask for OEM glass only, if it safelite brand glass send it back and make them get OEM. It shouldn't be to hard to figure out what OEM brand is in our trucks, just go out and look on the bottom left or right hand side and see what it says. If and when you replace the glass it should be the same as what was in there. Glass is no different then spark plugs or alternators, you would put a 4 Cyl alternator on you V6 would you? So why would you use an under rated glass?

Plus many of the insurance companies get kick backs from safelite, so you insurance will try and pressure you into using them. You don't have to and there is no warranty on work when its covered under insurance or safelite. If something goes wrong you just get a new windshield again, and no it doesn't affect you insurance because it's a NO Fault Claim. Meaning no report and no insurance increase.

 

I have Geico and they don't replace it for free for me .

It's like $220 to get it replaced paying cash without insurance.

 

I have USAA and I get them for free.

 

For the future, I suggest having one of these kits for quick repairs. I've used them many times and they work great. I always keep a kit on hand and the kits can be used more than once. They run about $10. Well worth it.

 

I have a wandering crack in my windshield. It is an '06 I bought with 40k miles. I believe it is an aftermarket windshield, and definately thin and substandard. I have been told many times..."With Toyota, always use OEM..."

Does anyone know what is the cost of OEM replacement?? I too have $500 deductable, and will be paying out of pocket.

 

x2 mine does too with USAA

 

I have never had an issue with Safelite glass or any of their installs. In fact I have been using them for over ten years and my company has used them for the past five years without issue.

The thing is, OEM glass nowadays is crap. I do not know how many people I have met or personally know that have had windshields crack within the first year of ownership.

 

The company you have isn't the important part- The state you are in is. Some states require windshield glass to be replaced without charge due to safety concerns- Some don't. The key is fixing it as soon as possible insted of waiting for the crack to be across half of the glass.

Ditto about safelite. I have had them repair and replace glass for me and I have never had an issue.
I also so believe that the glass is made to provide structural integrity in a roll over. It's made to fracture and stick together- that will not provide rigidity...at least not more rigidity than the steel frame beams...

 

I see it selling for $800, shop around and see if you can get a better price. Part number : 56101‑04010

 

I drove from Phoenix to Southern Arizona and when I got back my wife noticed that my passanger headlight was cracked right down the center. A rock probably got kicked up and broke it. I called USAA and made a report and they said it was comprehensive and that I had a deductible of $500. I asked the USAA Rep. to do some hunting around because I had "AZ full glass coverage" which covered fully all "safety glass on the vehicle". He called me back in 10 min. to tell me that it would be of no cost because it was included in the AZ safety glass coverage.

The next day I went to the dealership (Sierra Toyota) and got a quote for the light and labor ($406.83) and gave the info to USAA over the phone. Two days later I had the money transfered to my account. Overall it took about a week to get a new headlight.

Big Fan of USAA (Legacy Member)

 

While you may have been one of the lucky few, I could get friend after friend, business owner after business owner to come say otherwise. Safelite also is on the billing side of insurance jobs and they pay less if you use someone other than them. So they scare customers into using their services (by telling them they cant warranty the work and blah blah blah); informed customers who don't want to be scammed use other shops, safelite doesn't pay that shop as much as they would themselves.

And to the last part of your statement, nothing could be farther from the truth. OEM glass has a higher standard then any aftermarket glass maker because they have to pass Federal safety standards that aftermarket glass companies don't. But the most important part is that the OEM glass cracking has less to do with the glass as it does with the installation. Safelite uses the cheapest urethanes and molding they can find, and it has been proven that can lead to leaks and cracked windshields.

But, if you have had good experiences then great. I can just say from my many experiences with them and my families. I will never have them touch another one of my vehicles.

 

All you have to do is call up a local glass shop, one that you have used before is best, and tell them that you need your windshield replaced and your paying cash. Ask them for a quote for OEM glass and know what brand is in your truck.

I just checked mine, and it said Toyota United. But PPG or Pilkington glass are OEM manufacturers for Toyota too.

 

I used a company that installs PPG glass for same reasons mentioned above by Masada. The company was Glass Doctor.

http://www.glassdoctor.com/

 

LOL now I feel bad, kind of came off strong. I just hate to see people taken advantage of and Safelite has done that to many people i know...


OH and they have started buying out their competition in order to get a leg up on business.

PS. I have heard good things about Glass Doctor. I just have a friend down in Coolidge that owns a glass shop and has been doing it for 15+ years. I know he does quality work.