First Warranty Claim

Rolling · August 30, 2007

Since I work for the dealer, I waited till I am "surveyable" to order the new windshield for my 07 Crewcab NBS. There is a cloudy spot just above the drivers field of vision, only visible when driving into the sun.

Now, in Alaska, the sun never reaches directly overhead..it always circles just above the horizon. So, you could theoretically be driving into the sun going to work and going home. Not a real big deal, just a nuisance off to the side and above where you normally look through the glass. So, I ordered my windshield today and hope to get rid of this wierd spot on the glass!!!!

( kinda nice when the dealer can't do any wrong to me. wish I'da found this out earlier! )

Wingnut · August 30, 2007

A "cloudy spot"? That sounds like somebody fixed a chip.

jhm · August 30, 2007

I had a stone chip in the lower left corner of my windshield. I could have had the whole thing replaced for free, (our state requires no deductable on glass), but I wanted to keep the factory seal. When the guy finished, you could never tell it was there. If the cloudy spot is due to a repair, they did something wrong.

Rolling · August 30, 2007

A "cloudy spot"? That sounds like somebody fixed a chip.

Please believe me, with the last 10+ years in the automotive business, I do know what a botched repair job on a chip looks like. If I figure how to take a pic of the glass and not focus on whats behind it, I will. Its an area about the size of your hand. Trust me, this is more like a lamination problem in the sheets of glass. I even went so far as to have the regional warranty auditor look at it while she was up here and verified it was an honest warrantable concern.

Yes, I am concerned about losing the factory seal, but I am more worried about the glass contractor actually doing the job scratching the A-pillars.

jhm · August 30, 2007

I would only allow the replacement to be done in a glass shop. I see those mobile units showing up at work with one guy. 60 Minutes did a piece on faulty windshield replacement causing roof collapse in roll overs, killing people. All the shops said no way can one guy replace a windshield correctly, physically impossible.

Huntervh · August 30, 2007

I would only allow the replacement to be done in a glass shop. I see those mobile units showing up at work with one guy. 60 Minutes did a piece on faulty windshield replacement causing roof collapse in roll overs, killing people. All the shops said no way can one guy replace a windshield correctly, physically impossible.

With all the rocks bouncing down the interstate around here, I usually go through a windshield once a year, good thing for no deductible glass insurance!

Vintagemud · August 30, 2007

Being a union glazier for over 24 years this is something I know a little bit about . In the old days you are right one guy could not do a windsheild thats because they used thicker glass for the windshield it was 3/16 glass then a 1/16th lami sheet then another 3/16 glass now days its 3/32 nds then 1/16 lami sheet 3/32 nds glass .so its half the weight as it use to be thats why they crack so easy also . Also in the old days it was a zipper holding it in then they went to setting it in to butle tape (spelling?) and it was a one shot deal so you had to use 2 guys to set it in the tape because there was no adjustment once it touched the tape . Now what they are doing is placing a small bead of silicone on the outside edge of the butle tape so it keeps the glass off the tape so you can adjust it then you just push it down once your ready and it contacts the butle tape and is locked in

bbwb · August 30, 2007

Hi Rick, I did not know that they used tape for windshields...I thought they only used a two part tube adhesive shot through a caulk gun (for lack of a better description).

Every time I have a windshield replaced, I always am concerned that the guy using the cutter scrapes the paint off of the pillar or roof panel which will rust (I have had this problem).

Rolling, I would insist on getting a known replacement glass manufacturer OEM would be my first choice; as some of them have severe distortion issues (I also have had this problem, 5 PPG installed units before an LOF unit was installed that was alright).

bbwb

Zembonez · August 30, 2007

MAN... for one "fuzzy" spot up and out of my line of normal sight (that requires me to be driving into the sun to see)... I would not tempt the perils of replacing the glass. Nothing is perfect. You run a real risk of damaging the truck and/or having an inferior non OEM seal.

Seems like a lot of risk in search of perfection...

Vintagemud · August 30, 2007

Hi Rick, I did not know that they used tape for windshields...I thought they only used a two part tube adhesive shot through a caulk gun (for lack of a better description).

Every time I have a windshield replaced, I always am concerned that the guy using the cutter scrapes the paint off of the pillar or roof panel which will rust (I have had this problem).

Rolling, I would insist on getting a known replacement glass manufacturer OEM would be my first choice; as some of them have severe distortion issues (I also have had this problem, 5 PPG installed units before an LOF unit was installed that was alright).

bbwb

I have seen that happen also. It happens mostly when they are trying to cut it out with the old style knife the stuff is really tuff to get thru so you have to use alot force to pull it thru with the new type of knife it is heated and slices thru the butle like soft butter and you rarely slip out and scratch the paint

kdogg · August 31, 2007

When I first got mine I noticed a bubbly type film and thought it was glare from the dash. Turns out it was a defective windshield. The dealer put a brand new one in for free, no problems. There nice to. Does anyone ever get a B-day card from their dealer? I did today.

jhm · August 31, 2007

Being a union glazier for over 24 years this is something I know a little bit about . In the old days you are right one guy could not do a windsheild thats because they used thicker glass for the windshield it was 3/16 glass then a 1/16th lami sheet then another 3/16 glass now days its 3/32 nds then 1/16 lami sheet 3/32 nds glass .so its half the weight as it use to be thats why they crack so easy also . Also in the old days it was a zipper holding it in then they went to setting it in to butle tape (spelling?) and it was a one shot deal so you had to use 2 guys to set it in the tape because there was no adjustment once it touched the tape . Now what they are doing is placing a small bead of silicone on the outside edge of the butle tape so it keeps the glass off the tape so you can adjust it then you just push it down once your ready and it contacts the butle tape and is locked in

That is a big change in overall thickness. The old was about .436 and the new is about .250. What are the old days? I remember watching the 60 Minutes show, I think it was about 5 years ago but I could be wrong. Anyway, with a windshield that thin, I think I would still take it in to a shop with a controlled enviroment than have one guy do it in the parking lot.

dsmazz · August 31, 2007

Does anyone ever get a B-day card from their dealer? I did today.

Birthday card from your dealer -- they must love you.

kdogg · September 1, 2007

Does anyone ever get a B-day card from their dealer? I did today.

Birthday card from your dealer -- they must love you.

I don't think it's me... they love.

Rolling · September 12, 2007

Update:

Since I am a parts advisor for the dealer I work for, I took the liberty of ordering the replacement windshield for my truck. It came in undamaged and extremely well packaged for a GM part. I was impressed.

I had a professional glass replacement shop do the work through my dealer so warranty coveres it, no probs there. They did a fantastic job replacing the windshield. Kinda bummed about all the Rain-X I used on the original one, but I can get more.

About lunch time, I asked my service advisor when my truck was going to be done. He said come get the keys, its ready to go. This is when I realized there was a slight problem.

The FACTORY OEM REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD WAS STILL IN THE PARTS DEPARTMENT.

So, for the next couple of days, I have a Pilkington windshield in my truck. yes it is better than the original since it is clear, but I want the correct glass installed. The glass shop will be back on Friday, since they are booked and have to wait till the glue sets up a little so it doesnt get all stringy and make a mess inside my truck.

Oh well. At least at this time, I have no concerns about having them change the glass. Very clean and very professional. Just wish they had read the repair order instead of installing their glass.