Pain in the glass

Anonymous · February 13, 2004, 16:02

So, the car's only 3 weeks old, and I pick up my first windscreen stone chip on the M1 on Wednesday. By yesterday morning, the tiny chip had become a 6" crack s:evil: :evil: s:evil: Called Mr T, who recommended that the screen was replaced there by RAC, under Mr. T supervision. Mentioned that I'd already contacted Autoglass (Norwich Union's recommended supplier), and was warned that unless Autoglass supplied a genuine Toyota screen, the warranty would be invalidated if there were any future problems with water leaks and so on. To cut a long story short, Norwich authorised me to go ahead with the Mr T replacement which I'm going to do. Their quote was cheaper than Autoglass anyway(!), including etching. Worth bearing in mind if you need a windscreen replaced.

GSB · February 13, 2004, 16:08

Ahem... I'll get my welly boots on...

Be interesting to see if you actually get a "Toyota" windscreen then.

Manufactureres farm glass out to specialists like pilkingtons, who then supply all the aftermarket requirements, to windscreen specialists and main dealers alike...

Anonymous · February 13, 2004, 16:11

I hope so - Mr T are ordering the screen, and RAC fit it, so should be legit.

GSB · February 13, 2004, 16:17

Quote from: "Testcard"I hope so - Mr T are ordering the screen, and RAC fit it, so should be legit.

Oh dont worry, it'll be legit alright. But my bet is that Mr T have spun a line to get the work and thet they'll end up fitting exactly the same glass as Autoglass would have done. It'll be interesting to see.

Anonymous · February 13, 2004, 16:23

You could be right - I'll let you know how I get on.
BTW, I used the term "stone chip", but it sounded like someone taking a shot with an M16. MX5 sniper on the motorway bridge, perhaps... s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Anonymous · February 13, 2004, 16:51

Interested to hear how it goes as I might have to replace my screen soon.

I see the part of the manual that deals with the International Security Register states the following to the question of replacing a windscreen:

QuoteBe sure to have it replaced by an authorised Toyota dealer who will security-mark the new glass for you.

Has anyone mentioned if they will be doing this when replacing the glass?

Anonymous · February 13, 2004, 16:57

Yes, mentioned this to Mr T, and the price included security etching.

GSB · February 13, 2004, 16:59

Most insurance companies will also etch your glass for free.

Anonymous · February 13, 2004, 18:03

Testcard

I had a quick look up in the Toyota BGB and it states to have a minimum time before the car is driven following a windscreen replacement:

24hrs if done at 5C/41F s:shock: :shock: s:shock:

It might be worth considering. Let us know if they say anything on this issue?

Anonymous · February 13, 2004, 18:06

Interesting point - hadn't considered that. Presumably needs time for the sealant (?) to cure. I'll ask the dealer about that. Thanks for the heads-up s:)

s:)

Anonymous · February 13, 2004, 18:19

Might also get them to move the rearview mirror up the screen an inch or so when the new glass goes in. The ball socket nearest the windscreen is absolutely solid, so I can't try the trick of rotating the mirror upwards as suggested somewhere else here.

Anonymous · February 16, 2004, 09:14

Test Card

I just had a replacement screen fitted on my other car and was surprised to note that the mirror fixing bracket was pre installed on the screen when it unwrapped! Didn't matter on that vehicle but it would seem that you might not get the chance to shift mounting location.

You do realise that the mirror arm is double jointed so you should be able to adjust the mirror body upwards to improve view out?

Andrew

Slacey · February 16, 2004, 09:18

Quote from: "amr2"You do realise that the mirror arm is double jointed so you should be able to adjust the mirror body upwards to improve view out?

Quote from: "Testcard"The ball socket nearest the windscreen is absolutely solid, so I can't try the trick of rotating the mirror upwards as suggested somewhere else here.

I think he already knew this s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Anonymous · February 16, 2004, 09:24

Yes, I realise that the mirror arm is double jointed. Unfortunately, the ball socket nearest the screen is very stiff, so I can't swing it up any further. Tried, but was concerned that I'd pull the whole thing off the screen. The ball socket at the mirror end is fine for adjustment.

Anonymous · February 17, 2004, 09:46

Quote from: "GSB"Ahem... I'll get my welly boots on...

Be interesting to see if you actually get a "Toyota" windscreen then.

Manufactureres farm glass out to specialists like pilkingtons, who then supply all the aftermarket requirements, to windscreen specialists and main dealers alike...

I agree here, I had no end of trouble trying to get a replacement "Toyota" windscreen from Autoglass.. apparently you have to actually ask for one, if you just assume you're getting a like for like replacement, then you'll definitely have a 3rd party branded one... like I ended up with! s:roll: :roll: s:roll:

Had lots of correspondance on the matter regarding Toyota quality control, roll over guarantees, etc, as I really didn't want cheap glass in there.. but as it turns out Pilkington appear to be a very reputable brand, so I'm happy for now.

It would still have been nice to have one that said "Toyota" in the corner though, especially as if I'd known to ask specifically for one they could have sourced it.. even though apparently it costs a lot more!

This is why Autoglass become most insurers first choice for windscreen replacement, I'm sure they wouldn't have won all these lucrative contracts by only supplying expensive genuine manufacturer's parts!

Good luck!

Tim

Anonymous · February 17, 2004, 22:43

s:lol: :lol: s:lol: What a pile of poo from MR T
A: auto windscreen fit windscreens allday long and if you hade a problem then auto windscreen supply a warrenty on the glass that is fitted
which would include leaking

but i must say if it is cheaper from MR T im suprised as normanly
any glass from any manafacture are far more expensive than a windscreen suppler,
Unless of cause The RAC are supplying the glass,
Dont think you would get a fitter from there work shop fitting a windscreen
there wouldnt be any paint left around the wind screen frame when they have tryed to take the old one out with a snapon srewdriver, LoL s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Anonymous · February 18, 2004, 09:02

s:shock: :shock: s:shock: Don't laugh! Exactly that has happened on my MK1, when the screen had two big cracks in it. The guy, who looked about 18, came out and made the BIGGEST hash of removing the screen. He utterly destroyed the A pillars, taking paint off, denting then and scraping large chunks of metal down them. He also bent AND snapped one of the removable rain channels at the side. I went ballistic! I had to take photos of the damage, get the insurance to bollock Autoglass and then it took the best part of two weeks for them to source another screen. This one was fitted, along with new channels and a body repair man to fix the scratches and dents. And HUGE apologies from Autoglass.

So, I got there in the end........

Until about three days later it transpired that they hadn't fitted the screen correctly in line and the screen was getting over stressed at the bottom and split the glass again! I am nevr using Autoglass again..........never! s:evil: :evil: s:evil:

Bloody cowboys........Should have been a £50 excess for the screen. It ended up costing my insurance the best part of £800 to get it repaired correctly to the condition it was in before the original screen was removed.

nightmare....... s:x :x s:x

heathstimpson · February 18, 2004, 16:15

Quote from: "John Woodward":shock: Don't laugh! Exactly that has happened on my MK1, when the screen had two big cracks in it. The guy, who looked about 18, came out and made the BIGGEST hash of removing the screen. He utterly destroyed the A pillars, taking paint off, denting then and scraping large chunks of metal down them. He also bent AND snapped one of the removable rain channels at the side. I went ballistic! I had to take photos of the damage, get the insurance to bollock Autoglass and then it took the best part of two weeks for them to source another screen. This one was fitted, along with new channels and a body repair man to fix the scratches and dents. And HUGE apologies from Autoglass.

So, I got there in the end........

Until about three days later it transpired that they hadn't fitted the screen correctly in line and the screen was getting over stressed at the bottom and split the glass again! I am nevr using Autoglass again..........never! s:evil: :evil: s:evil:

Bloody cowboys........Should have been a £50 excess for the screen. It ended up costing my insurance the best part of £800 to get it repaired correctly to the condition it was in before the original screen was removed.

nightmare....... s:x :x s:x

Stories like this put you off these companies for life s:shock: :shock: s:shock:

Anonymous · February 18, 2004, 16:28

Tell me about it. Hence I won't have a good word for Autoglass........ s:x :x s:x Its happened with others too..........I make a special policy of not frequenting their wares again....... s:roll: :roll: s:roll: s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Ok, its a one man war, but its the principle!!!