| ba3720 |
Let me start off by saying I've been enjoying this site for close to a year and did a lot of research here prior to buying my Pilot in April. I bought a new 2008 SE 4wd and currently have less than 5k miles on it. So far I have really enjoyed it. Unfortunately today driving to lunch down the highway, I took a rock to the windshield. It hit on the passenger side right about in the line of sight. I have a nice star shaped crack that is a little bigger than a quarter. It appears most of the damage is in the glass. I can only feel one small pin hole on the outside surface of the glass.
I called my insurance agent (Allstate) and he said I have $0 comprehensive and they would cover a replacement windshield at no cost to me. He recommended Triumph/Diamond Auto Glass to do the repair. I called them and they were extremely nice and said they could arrange to have the repair done Monday at my work. I've been searching the site for information and have a few questions.
- I assume since the damage appears to be in the glass, the chip can't be repaired? Is that correct?
- Should I have concerns about what type/brand of glass they use?
- I saw a post where someone was asking about replacing the trim. I've looked and the only trim I see is the molding along the bottom? Is there anything I need to watch for or expect to replace?
- I live in GA and the average temp during the day is in the 90's. Should I be concerned about them doing the job in the parking lot vs being at a shop?
- Any thing else I should ask about?
Sorry for all of the questions. I'm just nervous about having to pull the windshield out of what I consider a brand new vehicle.
Thanks for any help you can provide. |
|
|
| ba3720 |
| Here is a pic I took to give a better understanding. |
|
|
| rlapid |
quote:
Originally posted by ba3720
I've been searching the site for information and have a few questions.
- I assume since the damage appears to be in the glass, the chip can't be repaired? Is that correct?
- Should I have concerns about what type/brand of glass they use?
- I saw a post where someone was asking about replacing the trim. I've looked and the only trim I see is the molding along the bottom? Is there anything I need to watch for or expect to replace?
- I live in GA and the average temp during the day is in the 90's. Should I be concerned about them doing the job in the parking lot vs being at a shop?
- Any thing else I should ask about?
i've had my windshield replaced already, and need yet another one, so i will try to answer your questions to the best of my knowledge.
1. iirc, i think that type of chip can be repaired, but the result will not be perfect. there might be a tiny imperfection where the star used to be.
2. my cousin used to work at honda, and he told me that the reason why my 2nd windshield was damaged so quickly was because they may have used a lower-quality glass, which made sense because i figured the price was too good to be true. he mentioned something about how many layers the glass needed to be, but i forgot the specifics. basically, find a brand that is OEM-approved and you should be fine.
3. on my pilot, it appears that they removed the black rubber molding around the sides and top of the windshield as well as the bottom. it looks like they removed it and then glued it back in after they got the windshield in place.
4. i'm in california, and i had mine done in a shop so i can't really say how the heat/weather would affect the adhesives or whatnot, but i guess that would be a good question to ask the glass company before they do the replacement.
i hope my attempts at answering your questions gave you some kind of idea about this procedure. this was actually my first time getting my windshield replaced and i've learned that windshields are something you don't wanna go cheap on. right now, i'm looking for my 2nd replacement, and it will most definitely be from a more reputable glass shop. i might even try out one of those new acoustic ones, if they make them for the pilot. |
|
|
| Medic721 |
everything rlapid said is correct. Warmer is better than colder when doing repairs, but unless you have a VERY experienced person making the repair you will definitely know it is there. that being said it is much cheaper than replacement, and check with your insurance company geico and some others offer free glass repairs even without full glass coverage.
-Mike. |
|
|
| Sportymonk |
quote:
Originally posted by ba3720
.....
I called my insurance agent (Allstate) and he said I have $0 comprehensive and they would cover a replacement windshield at no cost to me. You mean you have $0 Comp deductable. Why get a "repair" that will show when you can get a new windshield for free?
- I assume since the damage appears to be in the glass, the chip can't be repaired? Is that correct? I had a chip "repaired" on my old Chevy Astro. All it did was keep it from spreading, it still looked like a chip, it didn't look like a new windshield.
- I live in GA and the average temp during the day is in the 90's. Should I be concerned about them doing the job in the parking lot vs being at a shop? As mentioned above, cold is more of a problem than heat. I had my wife's Civic replaced and since it looked like it might rain, they wanted to work in my garage or covered area as it takes about 20 minutes. Since I dodn't have a garage, I called the local gas station where I get gas and was't busy in the morning and asked if I could get it repaired under the pump cover. They said ok.
- Any thing else I should ask about? Wish I could help here. When my wife's Malibu had the windshield replaced it leaked. When we got it replaced by the insurance company we wound up with tiny shards of glass in the vents (don't know how). Luckily we sold it a few months later at 125,000 miles with signs of transmission problems and got my wife her first Honda? The Civic. :D
Sorry for all of the questions. I'm just nervous about having to pull the windshield out of what I consider a brand new vehicle.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
|
|
|
| mmmmark |
Sportymonk is right-on with his answers.
I've had a couple windshields replaced recently and both of them looked factory perfect. It looks easy, easy, quick and easy....but like many things, an experienced craftsman makes it look this way. A good tech means a huge difference in quality (meaning no leaks!).
A good friend owns a glass business and he did mine. He recommends PPG or Pilkington replacement glass. They build to manufacturer's specs and provide OEM windshields as well--some of which are rebranded. |
|
|
| youbetcha |
I had a chip in my windshield very similar to that. I bought a kit at autozone to repair it and was very pleased with the result. The kit suctions to the windshield so that the epoxy can be forced into all the crevices of the chip. After i was done, I had to actually search for it to find it again.
Might be worth a shot first, to see if the results are OK. |
|
|
| ba3720 |
Just wanted to post an update. Thanks for the replies so far. I agree, since insurance is paying to get the windshield replaced, that is my first choice. I was afraid they may come to replace it and try to talk me into having it repaired, just wasn't sure if that was even an option based on the type of chip it was.
I called my local dealer yesterday to see what they recommended. He said I can get the factory Honda glass for "about $800". He said this off the top of his head so I'm not sure how accurate that is. He said they do not do the replacements at the dealer and he said they always contract it out to local glass companies. He said if most people are paying for it out of pocket, they usually get aftermarket glass for around $200-$300 installed. He said if insurance is covering it, he would definitly install the Honda glass.
I called back my insurance company and they said I can request the glass company use factory glass from the dealer. While I was on the phone with the agent, he called Triump/Diamond and told them that's what I wanted to do. They said that was fine but it would take a few days extra to order the glass from the dealer and I told them that was fine. Also, we are planning on taking a 600 mile road trip to the beach next weekend, so I may try to stall with the company a few days to get the new windshield installed after we return. I would hate to have the new glass installed and have something happen to it on the trip.
Anyway, thank you for the replies and I will post back once I have more updates. |
|
|
| rlapid |
| $800 for OEM Honda glass?? a little steep for glass that cracks so easily! |
|
|
| jarizzo |
I don't know how accurate this is, but I was told once by a windshield repair tech that if the chip/cracking is in the central area of the windshield and is an obstruction to the driver's primary field of view, that they are not allowed to make a repair and have to tell their customer that a replacement windshield is necessary. That was about 5 years ago, so maybe things have changed, but it seemed credible since they would be turning away business otherwise.
Get replacement glass for an armored car or airplane windshield. If that's not possible, the Honda glass would be next best probably. I have seen some low-cost windshields that have visible distortion in the glass at the extreme parts of the curves.
Good luck...
John |
|
|
| 75blazer |
quote:
Originally posted by Sportymonk
- Any thing else I should ask about? Wish I could help here. When my wife's Malibu had the windshield replaced it leaked. When we got it replaced by the insurance company we wound up with tiny shards of glass in the vents (don't know how). Luckily we sold it a few months later at 125,000 miles with signs of transmission problems and got my wife her first Honda? The Civic.
I assume you disclosed the transmission problems prior to the sale? :) |
|
|
| Sportymonk |
quote:
Originally posted by 75blazer
I assume you disclosed the transmission problems prior to the sale? :)
Sold it at Car Max. They checked it out. |
|
|
| afs12065 |
quote:
Originally posted by rlapid
$800 for OEM Honda glass?? a little steep for glass that cracks so easily!
That sounds about right for such a large windshield. I remember having to do the windshield on my 2005 MDX awhile back... that had rain sensing wipers which makes a difference when replacing the windshield and the quoted price from the dealer was in the high $700s. The ins. co. wanted to use Pilkington replacement glass at a lower cost but I insisted on the Honda OEM glass and they agreed - ordered it from the dealer and had the local glass shop install it. It turned out great but the key is having a well experienced installer do the work.
I also made sure they had a diagram of the install procedure with related replacement clips, etc. on hand before beginning the work.
I don't think the Pilots have ever had rain sensing wipers but the 09 Touring models have "acoustic" windshields which I'm guessing are a different part number than the non-Touring models so something to watch out for I guess... |
|
|
| jl_ss |
quote:
Originally posted by afs12065
That sounds about right for such a large windshield. I remember having to do the windshield on my 2005 MDX awhile back... that had rain sensing wipers which makes a difference when replacing the windshield and the quoted price from the dealer was in the high $700s. The ins. co. wanted to use Pilkington replacement glass at a lower cost but I insisted on the Honda OEM glass and they agreed - ordered it from the dealer and had the local glass shop install it. It turned out great but the key is having a well experienced installer do the work.
I also made sure they had a diagram of the install procedure with related replacement clips, etc. on hand before beginning the work.
I don't think the Pilots have ever had rain sensing wipers but the 09 Touring models have "acoustic" windshields which I'm guessing are a different part number than the non-Touring models so something to watch out for I guess...
Pilkington is an OEM glass supplier for many vehicles including some Honda models. PPG makes the Pilot and Civic OEM glass. By 2,500 miles, our Pilot PPG had several small spider cracks and one developed into a large crack. The replacement Pilkington has gone 70K miles, seen much worse road debris, and is not cracked at all. The fit of the replacement was perfect. Given the amount of complaints about the OEM windshields cracking early, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Pilkington as a replacement. |
|
|
| ba3720 |
It's been about a week and haven't had a chance to reply, but I had the windshield replaced last week using the Honda glass. Just for my own knowledge, I called my local dealer back and he said the price for the glass was $532 and the rubber trim was $30, so you would still have to add the installation cost to that. The installer came to my work and did a great job, it took him about 45 min's start to finish. My only complaint so far is the rubber trim has a little wavy place in it about halfway up the windshield. I didn't notice it until the next day and I called the installer to ask about it. He said the wave is due to how the trim was folded in the package. He said usually with time, it will straighten out some. I'm not wild about the way it looks, but I guess I can live with it. So far no leaks and I haven't noticed any wind noise.
Overall I was very pleased with the results and since insurance paid for it 100%, I'm glad I replaced vs trying to have it repaired. |
|
|
| jl_ss |
quote:
Originally posted by ba3720
It's been about a week and haven't had a chance to reply, but I had the windshield replaced last week using the Honda glass. Just for my own knowledge, I called my local dealer back and he said the price for the glass was $532 and the rubber trim was $30, so you would still have to add the installation cost to that. The installer came to my work and did a great job, it took him about 45 min's start to finish. My only complaint so far is the rubber trim has a little wavy place in it about halfway up the windshield. I didn't notice it until the next day and I called the installer to ask about it. He said the wave is due to how the trim was folded in the package. He said usually with time, it will straighten out some. I'm not wild about the way it looks, but I guess I can live with it. So far no leaks and I haven't noticed any wind noise.
Overall I was very pleased with the results and since insurance paid for it 100%, I'm glad I replaced vs trying to have it repaired.
Same thing happened with our new trim. After 3 years it still has the wave. Honda needs to work on their packaging of the trim. |
|
|
| epdenk |
| When I had my Pilots Windshield replaced back in May, the installer placed the new rubber trim in a heater unit in his van for about 5 minutes. He even told me it was to warm up the rubber so it would smooth out the packaging "kinks" and it would go onto to the glass better. He was right, no waves or distortion in the trim. |
|
|
| jl_ss |
quote:
Originally posted by epdenk
When I had my Pilots Windshield replaced back in May, the installer placed the new rubber trim in a heater unit in his van for about 5 minutes. He even told me it was to warm up the rubber so it would smooth out the packaging "kinks" and it would go onto to the glass better. He was right, no waves or distortion in the trim.
That's great to know, but it should be packaged in a way that allows use without any special requirements. |
|
|
|
