New windshield installed, glass is out too far?

[compu_85]

State farm says to go back to henderson again... as they were the ones who did the work. I did a smoke test:

Smoke is drawn down between the dash and the glass with the fan on, in the area where I felt air coming in. When my sister gets back, I'll run this test again and have her look for smoke under the hood / cowling area.

-J

 

[compu_85]

Ok. I just pulled up the cowling, did the smoke test again, and got nothing. The glue, although blobby, doesn't seem to have any gaps. I took some pictures... but there's really nothing special to see. The glass place did bust a good chunk out of the catch on the rain tray cover, but it still stays in place. They also cracked both of the caps on the wiper arms. Impex has those for cheap, maybee next time I order somethin from there I'll pick up a pair.

So at this point I'm at a loss as to where all this noize is comin from. I do know that the increaced noize when reserc is on was not there before. Does anyone have any suggestions about this? I want to tackle this before too long.

TIA.

-J

 

[akmike]

I think I would have to rattle the insurance co. cage about the poor quality work the shop they sent you to is doing. Seems like the hired it out to the cheapest place they could find. Tell them you choose them instead of fly by night insurance co.because you want quality when you need repairs.

 

[compu_85]

I'm going to another glass place today at 3 to have them preform a leak test. If it does I'm considering sending a bill to henderson for the reseal and new wiper caps and cowling. I am just so sick of this.

-J

 

[compu_85]

Ok... Maple City Glass just inspected it....

The bottom of the glass is not secure. The installer could push up on the bottom and get the glass (and wipers) to move. They also said that if I were in a crash, I would not be as safe because the windshield could come out At least I have proof now....

-J

 

[lildevildee]

Dang. I hope you get this resolved soon!

 

[compu_85]

Ya, me too lidevildee. They want to inspect it before they order another piece of new glass... and whatdaya know, they can't do that till monday. :/

-Jason

 

[dieseldorf]

J-man, are you saying they have to install new glass???

 

[compu_85]

Ya... they seem to think you can't cut out then reinstall the glass.

 

[dieseldorf]

WOW, that's crazy. I was under the impression they could remove it and re-install if they were careful.

SIKA SIKA
SIKA SIKA
SIKA SIKA
SIKA SIKA
SIKA SIKA
SIKA SIKA
SIKA SIKA
SIKA SIKA
SIKA SIKA

!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[WDM]

They're not going to try and re-install a piece of glass that was done improperly and/or doesn't fit, has defects, etc. They have to be able to warranty thier job and that entails installing another windshield from their source. Routine really and how would they make their money if they couldn't supply a marked-up windshield invoice to the insurance company..? Hope this time you hear harps and see cherubs when its done.

 

[compu_85]

Ok... this ordeal is nearing a close.
Just got the car back from Maple City Glass. The windshield is now the proper height, and the car is driveable again. They were able to cut out and reuse the windshield.

They were very courteous to me... and they're even going to install the rain sensor on Friday! They also showed me where Henderson cut the headliner I wonder how much one of those costs

I'm going to give the BBB a call here soon.

Thanks everyone for your input!!!

-Jason

 

[lildevildee]

So you were able to FINALLY go to someone else? Sounds like they did a good job for you. Is the first place going to be responsible for you headliner?

 

[dieseldorf]

Wind noise?

 

[compu_85]

Dunno yet 'dorf, I'm gunna go do a brief 'high speed' run soon.

This other glass place was just so much better... I should take a picture of the glass to show the different... but it looks just like your picture.

We paid $80 for them to R & R the glass... we're gunna try to get State Farm to cover it. I just got off the phone with a dealership... the headliner is $238! Add to that two $4 wiper nut caps and the $62 cowling... Henderson isn't gunna be happy when they get the bill

EDIT: FWIW, the glass had 3 large gaps in the seal on the bottom.

-J

 

[dieseldorf]

EDIT: FWIW, the glass had 3 large gaps in the seal on the bottom.

-J

Yup, they were skimping with the sealant

 

[compu_85]

Wind noise?

No wind noize was heard on a brief run 70 MPH!!!!

-J

 

[dieseldorf]

Nice !

 

[dlai]

Glad to hear the problem is finally fixed. So, is VW going to buy this Henderson glass company? Their quality and customer service seems to fit in with VW's corporate plans...

 

[compu_85]

I dunno... but the driveing on the highway was fricken awesome today. It was durn near silent!!! The glass had been replaced once before I started driving it... so I wonder if the last glass place also didn't do the glass right? I don't recall the car ever being this quiet on the highway.

-J

 

[compu_85]

The cut on the headliner:

I prolly would not have noticed it if Maple City glass had not pointed it out.

 

[MaryP]

It's always a nail biter when you've got similar work to be done and you hear horror stories like this. I came across this thread doing a search about windshield replacement, since mine is scheduled (for Tuesday).

After giving the tech the directions to get to my house, I asked him what sealant they used. Luckily it's Sika. You can bet that I'll be watching them like a hawk though.

 

[redders]

As an independet windscreen co. in the UK for 26 years,if any of my fitters gave this much grief to my customers he would be sacked !!!. If this is this is the sort of quality you are getting best we open a depot in the US and show you our british standards !!!(see my letter in "candy glass")
works car 2002 golf estate 130pd chipped to 160 bhp +390 nm torque

 

[compu_85]

redders... I know how you feel But, the other glass place I went to treated me well and seemes to have done the job right.

-Jason

 

[redders]

compu,glad all seems ok! If 1st company had clear primed glass & blacked primed body properly urethane would stuck to glass for life. think of the grief it would have saved !

 

[MaryP]

You are not going to friggin believe this, but I walked out of work today to find my windshield IMPROPERLY installed---looks EXACTLY like Jason's pic. I don't even need to take another pic of mine, it's identical! The glass is out too far and the weather stripping is not flush on the glass. I am sooooo po'd!

I got in car and took it out on the highway. The wind noise was unbelievable! So I remained as calm as I could, called and told them I was not happy with the job and that I wanted it done again.

They will be out on Friday. I am giving the guy the benefit of the doubt that he just had a bad day, and is truly not a bad installer. If the second one isn't any better, I'm not going a third round. I'll get it resolved with another company.

I'm debating whether or not to watch him this time. I know it will seem like I'm being an a$$ and I don't want to be YET!

 

[compu_85]

Holy crap Mary! Sorry to hear that Hope you get it sorted out before too long.

-Jason

 

[MaryP]

Auto glass place just called. I guess the darn secretary didn't tell the guy that I wanted the windshield replaced, she just had down "to fix". So, they don't have another windshield in stock.
It'll be Tuesday.

The guy tried to tell me that the glass may be thicker than OEM. I told him that he needs to find out, so I can tell my insurance co. and then go ahead to VW. He's full of baloney. But, I will give him one more try.

I was looking at the job he did again last night. The glass is also slipped down enough that there's quite a gap where the glass is supposed to meet the roof. And it's off so much that the VIN number is almost obscured!

 

[Doug Huffman]

A good shop would want the customer to watch and see what a good and careful job is being done. What does it say about a shop that hides their work? What does it say about an elected official that is afraid to face his armed constituency?

 

[MaryP]

He didn't hide his work, it's just that I was at work and couldn't stand out there to watch.

Anyway, second time around I decided to take my car to their shop. Different tech and he did a great job. He felt that the first installer used too much sealant and also pushed the bottom cowling in too early and too hard, thereby causing the glass to slip.

The wind noise is gone and the glass looks much better.