Hey all,

A large rock slammed into my windshield and wondering if it is better to have it "fixed" : by the auto car wash place or have the windshield replaced. If replaced, which brand for aftermarket or go to the Dodge dealer? My windshield has a large pit in it now.

Thanks,
Joe

 

Auto Car Wash Place? : After that be sure and get new tires at the pet shop and.... Ok you get the point!

Not trying to be overly sarcastic here but having been in the GLASS industry for 20 years now please do yourself a favor and take it to a reputable Auto Glass Shop and have them look at it for you.

Heck get a second opinion too if you like but choose shops that offer both, repair and replacement, they will steer you right. A repair only shop will steer you one direction and thats repair. A reputable glass shop will not repair a windshield that is going to turn out bad.

If a replacement is deemed neccesary my professional opinion is to go with the MOPAR or PPG brand and insist on a new OEM moulding with the replacement. Beware there are alot of Chinese Windshields in the market!!!

Please take my opening remark in gest as I was only trying to make a point and it could appear abrasive. I did not mean it to appear abrasive.

James

Ps. If you have comprehensive insurance most all insurance companies will waive your deductable and pay the full cost of the windshield repair! that is why you see ads for FREE windshield repair sometimes.

 

Check with your insurance company.

I had mine replaced last May.
Cost = $0.00 ;D

 

Thanks for the info. I will call a glass place and also my insurance to see what I have for coverage.

Thanks again,
Joe

 

Good luck Joe... If you get it replaced it is a really good idea to make sure the shop is NGA Certified. NGA Certification is not required yet so alot of shops are not certified.

If I can advise in any other way...let me know.

James

 

[quote author=XJJoe01 link=board=5;threadid=19415;start=0#msg182263 date=1063074976]
Hey all,

A large rock slammed into my windshield and wondering if it is better to have it "fixed" : ... or have the windshield replaced. ...My windshield has a large pit in it now.[/quote]

I'm assuming the rock came from the Car Wash or was caused by the Car Wash?? If so, I'd make them pay for a new windshield, from the company of your choice. Even though it is just a windshield it goes on your record, not as an accident but it is still a claim.
If it was a "large" rock and created a "large" pit, I'd have it replaced. If it is in front of the driver it must be replaced in this state, regardless of size.

I just had a new windshield put in last Friday. Cascade Auto Glass is a nationwide company, put in PPG glass with new moulding, and though I had to pay them my $50 deductible, they turned around a gave me a check for $50 for letting them put a small advertising sticker in the lower right of the windshield - ergo, free to me. Guaranteed for lifetime against leakage, coming loose, etc.

Stan

 

Careful on getting it "fixed". If the chip is in certain spots (ie. drivers line of sight) it is illegal to fix it and the whole windshield must be replaced.

 

I deal with www.safelite.com for windshields. They come right to you.

 

Got some info for the Texans here. They changed the law in texas. It used to be that your front windshield couldn't be cracked to pass inspection. It was changed this year to that it could be passed if you can prove that the crack is not in your direct vision looking straight ahead. Mine passed, and it's got a 2 foot crack in it.

 

NC is same about cracks - not in line of sight then OK. You wouldn't believe some of the spiderwebs I have seen in traffic recently

I had a good-sized crater fixed in my wife's Jaguar several summers ago. The car sits outside (shop is full of "rusty metal things&quot and you cannot tell it was ever cratered. Keeping my fingers crossed because Jaguar (spoken with the correctly condescending English accent) thinks VERY highly of their windscreens.

 

[quote author=erics76 link=board=5;threadid=19415;start=0#msg183765 date=1063332001]
Got some info for the Texans here. They changed the law in texas. It used to be that your front windshield couldn't be cracked to pass inspection. It was changed this year to that it could be passed if you can prove that the crack is not in your direct vision looking straight ahead. Mine passed, and it's got a 2 foot crack in it.
[/quote]

They just changed ours the other way around in Missouri. Used to pass as long as the crack was not in the line of vision. Now they're much pickier. Guess the glass shops have a good lobbyist or something. :

 

Have you had your A Pillar MLDG off and looked at what you got for a roll cage????

I don't think the glass shops are lobbying anything...

Here is the deal... The auto manufacturers use the glass as a item of structure! They use less metal for a "roll cage" and use SERIOUS glue to hold the glass in to what little metal they use. They do this for three reasons: 1) To make the structure stronger, 2) to help hold occupants in the vehicle in the event of frontal impact, and 3) to direct the force of the airbag toward the passeger compartment.

The windshield is NOT just an item of visual safety!!!!!! Anybody in the body shop industry can back me up on this.
In the event of a rollover your windshield DOES help hold up the roof! If it has cracks in it it is severly compromised.

Now do I think there is exception to this? Yes, Older heavy metal cars had roll cages integrated into the structure and the windshield was an item of visual clarity and has since become an item of occupant restraint IMO. and new installations of those windshields should include advanced urethane (glue) installations so they stay in in the event of a frontal impact. Perhaps someday Legislation will require that.

I understand how it is easy to think that it is a "glass shop conspiracy" to get the states to include the windshield in the state "safety" inspection process but when you realize how important the windshield and every other stationary piece of glass in our trucks is to the "safety" of it's occupants it becomes a no brainer that it should be part of the State Inspection Process.

James

Ps. If you ask how the windshield can help hold up an entire truck... It can!!! They basically use the egg theory you can smash it but you cant crush it standing up.

 

I had mine replaced for $300.00 in CA couple of yrs ago.

Mike

 

I had mine replaced after a hail storm broke it. Most insurance places will give you several good companies in the area you just call the one you like. I called all of them and based my decision on how they conducted there selfs on the phone, anyway they do several every day, and are very good at it. I was pleased with ours, I got to watch them do it, and he was fast, but cautious.

 

My windsheild is being done this week. I done all the shopping for the value,then contacted the Ins Co. Wasted my time as they have 1 firm nationwide that does it all. And you only get what your truck came with originally. I guess you can add at a reasonable cost. What is there to add?