Any tricks to aid windshield replacement?

[FireFox31]

Are there any tricks to making windshield replacement easier and more successful for the installer? For instance, I'll remove the roof rack trim on both sides of the windshield. Should I also remove interior trim, the cowl at the base of the wiper, etc?

I'm planning to have my windshield replaced on my 2000 V70 with 220k miles. It's the original windshield and has excessive pitting which causes bad sun glare. I hate to discard an intact, well installed windshield, but the glare is a real problem. I plan to buy an OEM windshield from the dealership during a parts sale using the order online for local pickup trick.

Edited for clarity.

[Sveedy]

Why not just take it to a professional ? After all they do windshields all day long, have all the proper tools for the job and the right sealants, and they will guarantee their work. Some things just aren't worth fooling around with, imho.

I used to patch my own tires too.....

[volvolugnut]

Yes, go with a pro for a windshield.
volvolugnut

[scot850]

In the land of broken windshields (yes they use rocks on the roads here in winter as it is too cold for salt) I would only have a good installer do any windshield on my cars. The company I have used for 20 years have yet to do a bad job on any of my cars, they also do chip repairs to prevent chips turning to cracks.

We used to pay about $180-200 US for an aftermarket PPG windshield with the tint at the top. These are now no longer available and they are produced by Chinese suppliers. I was concerned about this as they are also more expensive. Talking to the manager he said they now supply most windshields out of China even for OE applications for many manufacturers including higher end vehicles. It was not horribly bad but still worked out at about $225 US. I did find a company locally with 3-4 OEM windshields still in stock but they were nearer $300 US with the top tint. If we only replaced the windshield once in the lifetime of a car here then that is what I'd do or even the OE. The dealer even has a tame installer do their windshields at the dealer.

However with a windshield sometimes lasting days or months it is not worth the expense. Also glass insurance costs more in one year here than replacing with an aftermarket unit. I have been fortunate so far in the 20+ years here that I have been lucky to only have to replace the windshield no more than once in each car we have owned and sometimes not at all. The 'R' came with a cracked windshield. Had a brand new one fitted about 10 years ago and within 2 days it was hit by a stone right in the middle of the driver's eye line leaving 3 small opaque chips! They are still there 10 years later, but then the car has only done 8,000 miles in that time!

As this is a structural item integral to the safety of the driver, leave it to the pros!

Neil.

[FireFox31]

I'm certainly having a professional do the job. I'm wondering what I can do to make their job easier in order to improve my chances for a successful install. I've heard too many horror stories about leaks, creaks, and installers breaking things. My Mercedes came with a replaced windshield which eventually failed because the metal beneath it was rusting, perhaps because it wasn't sealed correctly. I'd rather have the job done as well as possible the first time, so I'll do whatever I can to enable that.

[scot850]

Why not ask around your area and see if there is someone that is well recommended. Then go talk to them and see if there is anything you can do to help or if you are better letting them do all the work.

The one thing to watch on the P80's is for rust under the seal. So once the windshield is out carefully check the sealing area. Also see if there are any rust spots from stone chips that may need touching in while the screen is out.

Lastly, check the lower and upper trim strips. Particularly the upper one can get fragile and break when trying to remove or re-install.

Good Luck!

Neil.

[BEJinFbk]

FWIW, and I’m sure I’ll get some feedback on this,
I took mine to a Safelite shop few years ago and was
very pleased with the service and results.

The REALLY cool part of the story is, I have Safeco
insurance with full glass coverage, (something like
twenty extra bucks a year), that covers every window
in the car. When I asked about getting Pilkington
OEM glass for the fresh windshield, as soon as
the term Volvo SRS came up, they made it
happen! Worked out nicely.

[scot850]

Wow, our windshield coverage has to be added to our insurance and costs around $250/year CDN!

Neil.

[abscate]

Wow, our windshield coverage has to be added to our insurance and costs around $250/year CDN!

Neil.

In NY , comprehensive coverage includes glass and costs me about $50a year and covers trees falling on the car, deer hits, and full glass. I don’t carry collision on any cars but I do carry comprehensive

[befarrer]

Wow, our windshield coverage has to be added to our insurance and costs around $250/year CDN!

Neil.

To add to that, you can only claim a windshield once every year, maybe once every 2 years.