windshield replacement - any worries?

[WILL E]

my 2008 original windshield is cracked. It will be covered by insurance but are these 'tricky' to replace? Anything I should watch for while they are doing it? I have 'sync' so the rear view mirror has the mic in it.

 

[Andy Chase]

I haven't had any glass replaced on the ST yet, but I had Auto Glass Specialists/Safelight come out and fix a crack in my F-150 windshield, and they dented a piece of sheet metal that the wipers poke through pretty bad. The trim around the windshield also was damaged somehow - it doesn't sit flush to the window and frame anymore. So I don't recommend them. They wouldn't pay to get that piece fixed at all, I got a $30 gas card was about it.



[Broken External Image]:

 

[Wes Davis]

I have heard other horror stories concerning bent window trim etc etc. Since it is paid for can you take it to the Ford dealer?

 

[Robert Caffyn]

Will, The actual replacement is not that difficult at all. With the correct tools to remove the window moulding, the the tool to cut the sealent, the windsheild can be lifted off the frame in no time. Cleaning the sealent off of the frame takes longer than it does to remove and replace the glass. There are several "small" shops in my area that I could trust to do the work, I admit, I have used safelight in the past, I didn't have any issues from them. They will remove and replace the little bracket for the R/V mirror on the new glass and then slide, snap and screw the mirror back on. Good luck no matter where you go! Bob

 

[Gavin Allan]

You might want to check to see if the shop is registered by the national professional organization:

 

[Richard L]

It should not be a problem with a competent glass shop, but you might want to snap a few phots just before you take it in./ That way you have evidence if they ding up the trim.



...Rich

 

[Kevin Lang]

When I had my windshield replaced, it was pretty painless. My ST didn't get beat down like Andy C's unfortunately did.



While my ST is not a Gen 2, it does have cabling running to the rear mirror for the auto-dim & auto-light feature, so it should be comparable to yours.



The only hassle with the process, besides only having People magazine to read in the waiting area, was that the new windshield didn't have my Rain-X coating on, and it rained on the way home. New window + older rain-x blades = lots of streaking and smearing in a downpour

 

[Richard McAlister]

I had a Safelite affiliated shop do the windshield on my '05. It was the same price to install at the shop or in my driveway. I had to drive 35 miles to have it done, but felt the job had a better job of being done correctly in a controlled environment where the installer felt more comfortable.

 

[EddieS'04]

Some windshield require the cowl removal. The glass people sometime are too lazy to revove it.

also the trim sometimes need a new clip or so. I have seen them beat it down in place. Instead of replacieng the damaged clip. I dont put up with it. I always watch them. Safelite is a good company, but they get some dumbys. That why I watch them.

 

[scott degroot]

I would be more worried about the quality of the windshield that anything else...all windshields aren't created equally

 

[WILL E]

THanks guys. We have a business we use here that seems to do a decent job. I will keep an eye on them just to be safe.



On my 81 Jeep Waggy they had to send out 4 different guys to get the chrome trim back on. Finally took an old timer to 'get r done'.