Newby 02 Windshield Crisis

[BALOO BELLE]

Hello,

To make a long story short I was lied to about the quality of the replacement by the glass shop and insurance company I had my windshield replaced by. Had I known OEM was 1,200$ vs $200 aftermarket do you really think I would have pulled the windshield out? NO NO NO. I have had a leak repaired and the windshield reinstalled. The rain sensor running constantly and the common cold weather cracking and poping that radiates from the entire windshield. And they did about $500 dollars in paint damage

It seems they may have left out the foam damning that provides support to keep the windshield from over flexing in cool weather creating the cracking noises. I can not ever know until the windshield is removed agian! 3rd time for the after market windshield and the 4th for my baby. The shop refuses that there is any problem and blames my car! Geico has washed there hands of it cause they are not affiliated with the shop. Lexus will not document anything specific w the glass cause they do not want to be involved in a court case or responsible to replace it. I have no option but come out of pocket and sue!

FOR ME I want the freaking old piece of Lexus glass back. To replace the windshield and have it done right the very first time and not have any issues ever agian it needs to be replaced with 1500$ OEM windshield. In which I still have to have the shop that does it testify that the glass needed to be replaced. WHo is willing to do that?

Does anyone have any bad/good exp with used OEM glass or have had the same type of problems with aftermarket?

I NEED TO HANDS ON MOLEST A LOCAL 02 - 6/04 WINSHIELD as the aftermarket seems to have a different shape. AND TEST MY RAIN SENSORS IN IT TO VARIFY THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SENSOR. Lexus will no longer reply to me.

ANY ONE LOCAL WILLING TO PARTICIPATE? I'm in Lake Worthless, FL

[SW03ES]

This is why I always use OEM windshields...

[steviej]

When I needed to replace my windshield, I asked my lexus dealer who they use and took my car to them. They replaced it with a Pinkerton (aftermarket) windshield and you would not have known the difference. The rain sensor worked fine. I wonder if they company that did your replacement remembered to reuse the gel adhesive pad. That part is vital to the sensing mechanism.

Sounds like your only recourse is to sue. Have it redone by a reputable shop and have that shop document all the problems with your current replacement. Remember, if you bring the law suit to someone else, the burden of proof lies with you.

steviej

[1990LS400]

Is the amount you have lost really worth a lawsuit? If we are talking about just a few hundred dollars, just walk away and chalk it up as a lesson learned.

I love my attorney friends but they are the only ones who come out ahead in cases like this. steviej has given you excellent advice.

By the way, I've had plenty of aftermarket windshields installed on cars including Lexus and Toyota with only one problem -- a distorted windshield way back in about 1977 which was promptly replaced with a good one.

[BALOO BELLE]

I went to a shop I had previous experience with Charlie's Auto Glass. The tech that did the 2nd installation has 20yrs exp. That dude, is who does the installations at the Lexus dealer! From what I hear they have a great reputation. They used PPG which has a good reputation. The dude that did the original installation had no clue and kept the new pad. I kinda though it was the pad! They broke the sensor casing and put on stupid rain gutter molding that makes as much noise as the freaking 2ft hole in the glue seal did. To help keep the scratches from rusting?

The closest used windshield is 600 miles away and they wont ship them past 100. I can get one w no rain sensor 90 miles away. The shop I would have it done at helps prosecute fraudulent glass repairs...that end in injury. He uses factory glue and clued me into the foam damning, gave me a piece to take back to the other shop to ask about. He was recommended by my personal mechanic that has 20 years exp with the county.

I need advice on used glass. i personally would feel safer in w a used oem windshield then the crap on there now. It sounds like my windshield is going to crack into pieces in about 40 degree weather. Ive experienced an air bag busted aftermarket windshield! A used oem that has been hot wired once that is way better quality = stronger than an after market that vibrated against my car for 9 months and has been hot wired twice, that makes scary glass noises. the loud repetitive cracks come from the outside perimeter of the glass which is suppose to be the weakest part of an after market windshield. when the weather warms you can hear the noise pitch drop and they move through out the glass. That means stress fractures cause there is weak spots everywhere. The good guy is going to tell me to go aftermarket so i do not know if i can get him to back the oem or if he would support a used piece of glass. I'm rather scared to reinstall cracking glass and am not sure as to how much damage hot wiring does.

if i go to court.... then I can get lost wages 500$ and growing rapidly. Ive lost another $500 in paint plus another say 600 for a used installation or 1,500 for new. Court cost...if I go w my attorney will be paid by the glass shop. So the guy can settle for paying the cost on parts and for the installation at the new place or we can go to court for $3,000 at his cost. I'm weighting my options and collecting info. :o The shop owner is a scum bag. i complained about the cracking noise before the second installation and they put the glass back on the car, if the problem wasn't workmanship of the glass then... they didnt put the foam damns in....why? so i can buy the $1500 windshield from them... then let me leave w a broken sensor then tell me to go to lexus its not us. that lexus would not drive the car to test for noises. Would he have treated you guys like that... preying on the naive. I just fought my way out of a 6 month lemon law case, i dont want to fight anymore! that is why i bought used so i never had to take my car anywhere but to who i trust! found the exact make and options i wanted for the exact price i wanted. i paid almost 900$ to have my car shipped from CA and 500 for my ex-es plain ticket to test drive it. This is the exact car i would build brand new in any brand. even the freaking color of the wood, upgraded chrome rims, and navi.