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Wed Oct 19, 2011 9:03 am

Hi all, safelite is having a hard time finding the glass to replace the windshield on my '87. Anybody else having trouble? Any places you know that have had windshields recently? Thanks, Jim

Wed Oct 19, 2011 9:12 am

I will not let Safelite touch my car after three window replacements via 3 separate vehicles.

While my first issue was with the receptionist being lazy... uncommunicative.. wasting my time in the matter.. there was just an attitude she posessed (heard her talking to others before I spoke to her) also heard her boss utter the same I do not like my job tones/phrasing..

Each time Safelite used sub par glass, which is exempt from WA state requirements. The Syracuse Glass Corp class they use is thinner.. marked, SGC.

Two of the times on a NEW car, they left the trim popped up, let the glue cure.. and I returned to them and they said.. oh, its meant to do that.. I rack it up to poor tech work/completion. even a shop supervisor backed up the tech.........

EDIT + they left glue on my dash, and on my fender. (small I know)

Wrong answer.

Third time, a crack developed within 1 day.. and they tried to make me replace it/pay for it, citing there was a rock chip.

There was no chip visible in the shield.. just a crack on their cheap SGC glass...

again... Wrong answer. No more Safelite for me.

So, I did some calling around, ended up taking my van to Eastside custom glass in Issaquah, WA.. Great service, very timely, very communicative. literally the van sounded quieter due to the Pilkington they used.

I would find out what Manufacturer and kind of glass is being put in.

Alot of companies are going cheap. One even wanted to reuse the seal.. and wanted to charge (me)additional for replacing the seal under an insurance replacement.

Wed Oct 19, 2011 9:19 am

I replaced my windshield last Spring. If I remember correctly I bought from Techna Glass. Having not bought a windshield for a few years I actually did some reading; not all available windshields are the same. See this thread for more info. I ended up with an FYG windshield... you need to ask the seller who manufactures the glass they're selling. Some lower quality glass is apparently undersized and can leak or pop out. Way down in the What I did to my van today thread I showed the rust repair and installation pics. It's been dry and cleans up crystal clear since the windshield swap!

Paul

Wed Oct 19, 2011 9:38 am

I just ordered a new windshield yesterday. Apple Auto Glass here in Ontario.

Tinted Visor strip at the top. $225

I pick it up Friday. Will Check the manufacturer when I get it.

Wed Oct 19, 2011 10:47 am

Everything decent for these vans is Chinese made . I haven't seen any anything German for along time.
The brand that it is out there and that I have installed at least 30 of ,in the last year or so is an "FYG"
Stay away from the PPG or PGW Shades as they use a darker domestic shade .
The ideal parts are "FW 416 GTN " Tint no shade or "FW 416 GGN " tint with green band . The PGW part is a "FW416 GBN" This is fine if you want your VW to look like a Chevrolet .
Again just my opinion.

Stacy

Wed Oct 19, 2011 1:34 pm

oops, they just called and said they had it in stock but had been looking for a vanagon windshield that had the antenna in the windshield. Jim

Wed Oct 19, 2011 1:39 pm

Syncro Pilot wrote: Tinted Visor strip at the top
Last time I checked those were NLA.

They are nice.

Maybe they are making them again or you got lucky.

Wed Oct 19, 2011 1:58 pm

I requested a non tinted so I could put my own tint strip in.. I tinted all windows with a 20" from dr/pass back.. going to do the fronts in a tad lighter for viewing purposes :)

Wed Oct 19, 2011 2:14 pm

I always carry 'full glass coverage' on my cars -- for just a few bucks it gets you a no-deductoble replacement irrespective of your comp deductible. Your agent might not know about it but it is very common (almost the default) here in the sandy, dusty, rocky Southwest.

I get about 3 or 4 years out of a van windshield before a rock gets it -- imagine riding down the road standing in the bed of a pick-up holding up a picture window -- these bricks just attract stones & debris.

My most recent glass says it is a 'PPG Sunshade Solex Duplate' whatever that is -- seems fine. An above post suggests PPG may be tinted darker -- perhaps a problem if you do lots of night driving but mostly a plus in the desert.

Wed Oct 19, 2011 2:46 pm

I have never been able to get a Vanagon front glass with an Ant in it ,ever !. There is a part Number for it and I've tried to order one to no avail .
The shaded windshields are readily available . Here is a screen shot from my supplier.

Order Stock Part Number My Price
Yes FW00416 GGN FYG
Yes FW00416 GTN FYG

I can always get them ,How many do you want and when do you want them.

Stacy

Wed Oct 19, 2011 5:42 pm

Ahwahnee wrote: I always carry 'full glass coverage' on my cars -- for just a few bucks it gets you a no-deductoble replacement irrespective of your comp deductible. Your agent might not know about it but it is very common (almost the default) here in the sandy, dusty, rocky Southwest.

I get about 3 or 4 years out of a van windshield before a rock gets it -- imagine riding down the road standing in the bed of a pick-up holding up a picture window -- these bricks just attract stones & debris.

Glass is mandatory part of MA coverage. I got a new one about every 2 years on my Suburban glass (was driving 4000 miles per month in it), have a chip now in my S420 but will hopefully wait until spring, and replaced three windshields in 3 months in my last Westy. Just dumb luck, not quality issues.

Thu Oct 20, 2011 10:01 am

New full tinted Vanagon windshield cost me $97 from my local glass shop. It's about a 30-40 min job to remove and replace with the rubber gasket. I'm not sure if it pays to have glass coverage. If you pay $50/year you can replace it every other year for the same money. Any longer and you are putting money back into your own pocket. If you break a windshield every other year your Insurance company will drop you anyway.

Thu Oct 20, 2011 10:04 am

My glass coverage with Farmers is about $3 every 6 months. It's paid for itself several times over.

Thu Oct 20, 2011 10:07 am

JPrato wrote: New full tinted Vanagon windshield cost me $97 from my local glass shop. It's about a 30-40 min job to remove and replace with the rubber gasket. I'm not sure if it pays to have glass coverage. If you pay $50/year you can replace it every other year for the same money. Any longer and you are putting money back into your own pocket. If you break a windshield every other year your Insurance company will drop you anyway.

They are probably going to drop me anyway this year. Glass is mandatory part of Massachusetts comprehensive. Car insurance is same company as home insurance. Adjuster just called this morning and said Hurricane Irene damage to my house is going to cost the insurance company approx 20 grand.

This is after a total loss on my Suburban (via a Car B Cue) last april. Suppose I should put the claim in for the new shield now?

Mon May 07, 2012 6:09 pm

I found the Pilkington, green tint with green shade at GURG glass. Thanks, for the great posts! Installed for $250 and I have the German seal....the part numbers really helped.

Mon May 07, 2012 10:06 pm

Man im in the same boat, That crack is working its way to the drivers side.

I know the FYG are the chines, and they are the best for the rabbits. Iv heard they are 1mm thicker and dont chip like the stock.

jcl