Windshield Replacement

[marpel]

'22 Sierra 2500.

Tried searching with no luck.

Not sure about the rest of the world, but here in B.C., ICBC (vehicle insurance company) will full pay for a "fix" (inject a liquid plastic) of a windshield rock chip, which I had done about a month ago. Made it better but not invisible. And, as I seem to be a magnet for rock chips, suffered another one a few days ago (4th so far for this truck, go figure). Took the truck in to the same place and the rep measured the chip. Advised me ICBC will not authorize the same treatment as the affected area is within 3-23 inches (I think those were the numbers) of the screen edge and the drivers view is still impacted. The only option is a new screen, or I go to an "unauthorized" repair facility for the injection, which I am not prepared to do.

So, my questions - Has anyone had a full windshield replacement and run into any subsequent issues? I have heard in the past that a replacement is nowhere near as good as a factory install and some have experienced leakage. But that may be old news, as I am not sure of the current state of things. And, when full replacement, does that include a new mirror, or do they remove and re-use the old? I also have a dash cam that is secured to the screen so that may be an issue as well (I ran the wire, tucked above the headliner and down the driver's side post - thinking it would be permanent).

And the rep advised the replacement takes less than four hours, which seems pretty quick. I would have thought they would keep it over night....

Any comments welcome.

Marv

[BuckWallace]

I haven't had to replace a windshield on my truck (yet, fingers crossed), but I've had to replace on other vehicles a few times over the years. I haven't had any issues with replacements, but just make sure the company you go with uses OEM-quality glass. You'll just keep your same mirror/dash cam, but will have to likely replace at least the mounting tape for the dash cam mount. Our Highlander had a dash cam and "Safety Sense" camera and everything worked as normal after the replacement. 

[marpel]

BuckWallace, thanks for the reply and information. I see your location is PNW, I presume that is the Pacific Northwest and you get as much rain as we do here in the Vancouver area, which is a comforting thought that your other vehicles have not leaked. My biggest concern is the replacement will leak (not because of the quality of the glass, but the install) and I will be stuck dealing with that issue. Some factory rear windows have leaked on these trucks, so if they can't even do it right in factory....

[BuckWallace]

4 hours ago, marpel said:

BuckWallace, thanks for the reply and information. I see your location is PNW, I presume that is the Pacific Northwest and you get as much rain as we do here in the Vancouver area, which is a comforting thought that your other vehicles have not leaked. My biggest concern is the replacement will leak (not because of the quality of the glass, but the install) and I will be stuck dealing with that issue. Some factory rear windows have leaked on these trucks, so if they can't even do it right in factory....

Yes, the skill of the installer plays a big part. I'm a bit outside the Portland area and yes, we get lots of rain! I used a reputable local company (two different times for different incidents, unfortunately) and the installs were great. I've heard mixed things about Safelite (I assume you meant Vancouver BC, not sure if Safelite is up there), but just do some Google research on companies in your area and you can probably get a good idea of who's good.

 

Good luck!

[Another JR]

I’ve had several replacements in other vehicles over the years and never had a leak issue.  I’m in the Seattle area so they get driven in the rain. My latest replacement - first replacement on a 2004 Yukon XL - the trim piece around the window was replaced and for some reason it has a lot more wind noise at 45 mph and above. If I had noticed it earlier I would have had them redo it, but we don’t drive it much and several months had passed. It already has one chip in it now and I’ll replace it after the next chip or if it starts to crack. 

[Chuck FB]

18 hours ago, BuckWallace said:

Yes, the skill of the installer plays a big part. I'm a bit outside the Portland area and yes, we get lots of rain! I used a reputable local company (two different times for different incidents, unfortunately) and the installs were great. I've heard mixed things about Safelite (I assume you meant Vancouver BC, not sure if Safelite is up there), but just do some Google research on companies in your area and you can probably get a good idea of who's good.

 

Good luck!

I agree, some nation wide chain locations can be hit and miss because some have a higher rate of staff turnover and the skill and attitude tends not to be on the same level as a well established local company that takes pride in their work and their business model is based on repeat customers, not how fast they can do the job. I've been told that there are only so many glass companies out there that even produce windshields and side glass, or at least the sources they are getting them from where I am in Alberta. Word of mouth through people that you can trust that may be in the automotive industry is one way as well as google but sometimes google gets manipulated with fake ratings from fake accounts trying to boost up a crappy company. Its years ago now that I had two windshields put into the same truck and the first one cracked from the bottom edge within months and nothing had hit the windshield, went back to them and they tried to claim it was hit but since there was zero proof of a mark they replaced it for free, that windshield also cracked from that same area at the bottom but just took longer ( probably defrost run in the winter triggered it ) .... like WTF ?. They blamed it on some pressure point on the frame of the window of the cab, I certainly didn't entertain a round three so went to another shop that was recommended by someone that had work done there and had a chat with the owner of that shop and he had many years of experience and I explained my frustration with what had been happening with my prior glass and to look out for this supposed pressure point. He found no pressure point so nothing was wrong with my truck, figured they did a poor install and the glass he then put in has been perfect and its been in the truck for quite a few years now ( yes some rock chips now, rural Canada after all ). I used to go to another shop that was really good years ago but they closed shop as they retired. I learned my lesson, don't go to McDonald's to get a windshield replaced.