cracked windshield...

notNA · 25-01-2018, 09:36 AM

well, yesterday on the way to work on the M4 a rock cracked my windshield...

the rock hit the top edge and put a nice line in the middle of it...

anyone know of any good places in western Sydney which don't cost an arm and a leg to get it replaced and are reputable.

I called o'brien and they wanted about $600 and NRMA wanted $530

disappointed with my self... I forgot about windshield cover on my insurance.

**GO FURTHER** · 25-01-2018, 12:31 PM

You need to get it replaced fairly quickly....
Cracks that start at the side edges of the screen, get larger and longer very fast, compared to ones closer to the centre.

Syndrome · 25-01-2018, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notNA

well, yesterday on the way to work on the M4 a rock cracked my windshield...

the rock hit the top edge and put a nice line in the middle of it...

anyone know of any good places in western Sydney which don't cost an arm and a leg to get it replaced and are reputable.

I called o'brien and they wanted about $600 and NRMA wanted $530

disappointed with my self... I forgot about windshield cover on my insurance.

You probably have more luck getting a better quote if you looked for companies who replace windscreens.

Craig@AUDI · 25-01-2018, 01:32 PM

Nothing worse than a large crack in your window...

commodorenutt · 25-01-2018, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notNA

anyone know of any good places in western Sydney which don't cost an arm and a leg to get it replaced and are reputable.

I called o'brien and they wanted about $600 and NRMA wanted $530

You've gone opposite ends of the scale there....

There's a myriad of small one-man operators who do a good job, and small-medium companies that are also significantly cheaper than the big brands.

I can't name anyone in Western Sydney, as the last screen I had done was from a small franchised operation, and the guy I got was great, but others from the same company haven't been so great.

Best off hitting up google with your closest major town/city ie 'windscreen replacement timbuctoo' and start ringing.

As far as reputation, if they only have a farcebook site, then you have to question how legitimate their business is. Ones that have an online yellow pages ad would have likely been around a lot longer.

If you know a good local panel beater / smash repairer, ask them who they use - they won't put up with crap work. One not far from me uses a company called Ace Windscreens, but I don't know if they're local to you.

roKWiz · 25-01-2018, 03:04 PM

I had a windscreen fitted by Instant Windscreens, James Ruse Drive, Granville. No nonsense kind of business. Good price compared to Obrien's.
Problem I found (mainly Sydney) with those "fit at home" installers is, they always have an emergency and don't show up even when you have booked a specific time.

Trump · 25-01-2018, 03:12 PM

Just remember to get an OEM windscreen if it's a BA Falcon or newer, the aftermarket ones are garbage.

Cheech · 25-01-2018, 03:33 PM

M&M Windscreens @ Kingswood.
0414 990 793

They come to you or you can go to their workshop.

They replaced the windscreen in my MU-X and the father in laws D-Max last year.
No complaints from either of us.
Was around $300.

Maysik · 25-01-2018, 03:49 PM

Your not covered with your insurance policy for glass?

NRMA you pay about $60 extra for windscreen cover.

With Shanons you are automatically covered for one piece of glass per
year.

Hope your with Shannons.

Coincidently here in Newcastle Shannons and NRMA both contract out to O'Brien Glass.

All of my windscreen replacements have been here at my home, I can remember four times, might be more.

They are always on time and take pride in their work.

WindsorXR · 25-01-2018, 09:40 PM

I got my windscreen replaced by Windscreens O'Brien for about $290 or $260? Can't remember. Definitely not over $300.
It wasn't an OEM one, but it's bound to get smashed again. The road to work has trucks that try take you out all of the time and don't secure their loads too well.

**GO FURTHER** · 25-01-2018, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WindsorXR

I got my windscreen replaced by Windscreens O'Brien for about $290 or $260? Can't remember. Definitely not over $300.
It wasn't an OEM one, but it's bound to get smashed again. The road to work has trucks that try take you out all of the time and don't secure their loads too well.

When I got my windscreen replaced only a few months after I got the car brand new (rock from truck cracked it), it was replaced with a non-OEM under my insurance policy for free.

That was the biggest mistake I ever made.

I did not realise at the time or even gave it much thought about it being OEM or not.

20,000Kms later, it was covered in fine pits, which can mostly be seen when driving into the sun... Looks like it is finely sandblasted.

Probably from dust and dirt following trucks on country roads.

I think the cheap chinese ones are definitely not as strong and chip easily compared to the genuine OEM ones

I am thinking of getting it replaced soon, and will pay out of my own pocket... But this time I will make sure it is the more expensive OEM one.

Tonz · 25-01-2018, 10:19 PM

For a friend I can damage it for you,,,, then you claim insurance,,,, just a fly in fly out trip all expenses paid.

WindsorXR · 26-01-2018, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GO FURTHER

When I got my windscreen replaced only a few months after I got the car brand new (rock from truck cracked it), it was replaced with a non-OEM under my insurance policy for free.

That was the biggest mistake I ever made.

I did not realise at the time or even gave it much thought about it being OEM or not.

20,000Kms later, it was covered in fine pits, which can mostly be seen when driving into the sun... Looks like it is finely sandblasted.

Probably from dust and dirt following trucks on country roads.

I think the cheap chinese ones are definitely not as strong and chip easily compared to the genuine OEM ones

I am thinking of getting it replaced soon, and will pay out of my own pocket... But this time I will make sure it is the more expensive OEM one.

Yeah, I didn't know at the time that it was a cheap Chinese one going in and it has already had a chip in it, that has now been fixed.
When it got chipped, I said to the missus that if it was OEM, it probably would have bounced off.

I didn't have windscreen replacement in my insurance policy. I could really justify spending $600 on a windscreen that could possibly last a month or two.

Syndrome · 26-01-2018, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trump

Just remember to get an OEM windscreen if it's a BA Falcon or newer, the aftermarket ones are garbage.

How so?

NTF6 · 26-01-2018, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GO FURTHER

When I got my windscreen replaced only a few months after I got the car brand new (rock from truck cracked it), it was replaced with a non-OEM under my insurance policy for free.

That was the biggest mistake I ever made.

I did not realise at the time or even gave it much thought about it being OEM or not.

20,000Kms later, it was covered in fine pits, which can mostly be seen when driving into the sun... Looks like it is finely sandblasted.

Probably from dust and dirt following trucks on country roads.

I think the cheap chinese ones are definitely not as strong and chip easily compared to the genuine OEM ones

I am thinking of getting it replaced soon, and will pay out of my own pocket... But this time I will make sure it is the more expensive OEM one.

After nearly 4 years my OEM one is chipped and pitted to buggery and also looks like it has been sandblasted, I've also had a few chips repaired but that's what happens when you follow to closely behind other cars and bikes at high speed.

I'll be getting a new one fitted very soon, probably at my own cost but I'll check it out with the installer and see if I can get it on my insurance first.

nuthin' fancy · 26-01-2018, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syndrome

How so?

Made in China, thinner and lower quality glass.

The cheap ($130 fitted) replacement screen in my EL is pitted after 15,000km. Replace the original screen at 420,000km (now that was pitted!).

Trump · 26-01-2018, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nuthin' fancy

Made in China, thinner and lower quality glass.

The cheap ($130 fitted) replacement screen in my EL is pitted after 15,000km. Replace the original screen at 420,000km (now that was pitted!).

The cheap garbage has a lot of surface ripples that aren't there in the OEM glass.

notNA · 26-01-2018, 11:16 AM

well, ****..

stuff it I am going for the OEM one and paying the extra.

time to call up Obrien and confirm I'm not getting a cheap Chinese one

anyway you can confirm other than taking their word?

olfella · 26-01-2018, 11:19 AM

I think you will find ALL our windscreens are made in China. They make OEM for Volvo, Ford etc. Will try and find the link
http://www.advancedautoglass.com.au/...een-repairs-2/
http://www.nags.com.au - follow the links to Fuyao https://www.fuyaogroup.com/en/products.php?matching

notNA · 26-01-2018, 01:08 PM

well, I just gave a few places a call and they all use aftermarket and need to find out the price for the original.

cant seem to get a answer on the prices yet

olfella · 26-01-2018, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notNA

well, I just gave a few places a call and they all use aftermarket and need to find out the price for the original.

cant seem to get a answer on the prices yet

Have you tried calling spares at a dealer? Personally I think it comes down to the fitter so if you are happy with O'Briens then do it. They use the Advanced Glass product which complies to AS, as would a OEM if you could source one and they guarantee their work. In my experience (3 new screens on FG's) keep an eye out for broken plastic fittings especially the clips on the panel at the base of the screen where the wipers sit. Also the plastic covers on the wipers.

**GO FURTHER** · 26-01-2018, 01:59 PM

There was an interesting thread in the Falcon Owners Club in December about doing a group buy of Australian made windscreens for around $500 each.
They would even be stamped with the original Pilkington logo on the OEM screens.

Apparantly there were discussions with a QLD manufacturer who bought all the PGI aussie glass manufacturing equipment, moulds/jigs etc, - from when PGI went to China.

The glass would also be made with the acoustic sound proofing inter-layer that goes between the laminated layers.

http://http://www.ozfalcon.com.au/index.php?/topic/7355-aussie-made-windscreens-group-buy-thread/

Trump · 26-01-2018, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GO FURTHER

There was an interesting thread in the Falcon Owners Club in December about doing a group buy of Australian made windscreens for around $500 each.
They would even be stamped with the original Pilkington logo on the OEM screens.

Apparantly there were discussions with a QLD manufacturer who bought all the PGI aussie glass manufacturing equipment, moulds/jigs etc, - from when PGI went to China.

The glass would also be made with the acoustic sound proofing inter-layer that goes between the laminated layers.

http://http://www.ozfalcon.com.au/index.php?/topic/7355-aussie-made-windscreens-group-buy-thread/

Pilkington hasn't made glass for Ford since before AU. Locally, Ford sourced their glass for the AU from a company owned plant in China, the initials SFH ring a bell for some reason.

**GO FURTHER** · 26-01-2018, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trump

Pilkington hasn't made glass for Ford since before AU. Locally, Ford sourced their glass for the AU from a company owned plant in China, the initials SFH ring a bell for some reason.

True, but I am fairly sure the Pilkington logo is still on my side windows and rear screen in my FG. ... Can’t check right now as I am away for the weekend.

Blue Shadow · 26-01-2018, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GO FURTHER

True, but I am fairly sure the Pilkington logo is still on my side windows and rear screen in my FG. ... Can’t check right now as I am away for the weekend.

Be interesting what you find on yours, I just had a look at my FG and there was only a ford logo. But I have had a few drinks..

Trump · 26-01-2018, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Shadow

Be interesting what you find on yours, I just had a look at my FG and there was only a ford logo. But I have had a few drinks..

My FG had Ford logos on every pane of glass, however the BA had the SFH logo on all the glass.

Blue Shadow · 26-01-2018, 04:41 PM

When my son comes back with my AUII i'll have a look at that too.

au350hp · 26-01-2018, 11:21 PM

Be aware you probably can't get new windscren mouldings or surrounds so keep the old ones & clean em up.

au350hp · 26-01-2018, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notNA

well, yesterday on the way to work on the M4 a rock cracked my windshield...

the rock hit the top edge and put a nice line in the middle of it...

anyone know of any good places in western Sydney which don't cost an arm and a leg to get it replaced and are reputable.

I called o'brien and they wanted about $600 and NRMA wanted $530

disappointed with my self... I forgot about windshield cover on my insurance.

Google western sydney windscreens & take your pick. All the small businesses are around $250. Advanced, Ace & Sydney Windscreens are all the same quality & price. Nobody has quality glass, it is all crap from China, even O'Briens use the same stuff, but charge double because of overheads. Keep your windscreen moulding untill you establish if new ones are available, don't chuck it until you have the replacement in your hand to compare size & fit.

Maysik · 26-01-2018, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notNA

well, ****..

stuff it I am going for the OEM one and paying the extra.

time to call up Obrien and confirm I'm not getting a cheap Chinese one

anyway you can confirm other than taking their word?

Hope you have better luck with that than we did.

Our insurer would not allow O.E.M because the knock off, um, quality chinesium item met the Australian Standards and Design Rules. It was $900 odd and the limit they allow for a windscreen is $1000. Yes, if it goes over the limit you will pay that overspill for the windscreen be it aftermarket or O.E.M.

The genuine O.E.M for our Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland was nearly $2000.00, glass only. Yep! If I wanted to pay the difference they said I could.

Like that was going to happen! We went Chinesium.

If you have automatic windscreen wipers beware. The windscreen is 'special' and there is a box that when disturbed when windscreen removed, most likely will need replacing. $400.00. This usually happens, but not to ours.

On a brighter note, Shannons use a glass retailer in Australia for that special piece of glass. I have a 1959 Oldsmobile and the safety writing bit in the corner can be duplicated and placed on the glass just like factory as well as the green tint.

With the Jeep, that was not with Shannons but AAMI I think. That $70.00 odd I payed in windscreen protection payed off. NO EXCESS for us.