Windshield replaced - need advice

[lucasoren]

So i just had the windshield replaced at a dealer that is 3.5hrs away. I noticed that the windshield was not aligned properly. It was too low on the bottom passenger corner and almost (or even touching) the frame. It was also a little short on the top passenger corner and did not go under the rain gutter. I also noticed the top rain gutter piece that should be replaced was wavy and not stuck down properly on the entire roof side edge.

When i brought this up, i was told that it is hard to get alignment right and they will break clips trying to fix the windshield alignment (what clips?). Also regarding the top rain gutter - i was told that they didn’t want to risk removing previous adhesive for the fear of damaging paint. Thinking back i realize this was bs because the rain gutter just uses double sided tape leaves no residue? My concern about possible water leaks from the gutter was also dismissed.

I was too tried to even think because i had to drive home 3.5 hrs. So i picked up the car and started driving. Once i went past 50mph hour there was a horrible metallic rattle, what could cause this? I took it back to the dealer, dropped it and drove home with the loaner.

After paying $2300 for a windshield replacement, or even dealing with something like a CFMOTO ZForce 950 Sport Rear Vented Windshield, I have zero confidence that the work will be re-done properly. Also, it is ALWAYS impossible to talk to my advisor or anyone in service. Does anyone have any idea what could cause the noise? And any advice on how to navigate this situation would be appreciated.

The metallic rattle is likely caused by the misaligned windshield or loose/misaligned rain gutter trim contacting the body at higher speeds. This is an installation issue, and the windshield and trim should be properly realigned and secured to prevent noise, leaks, and potential safety hazards. Document everything and insist the dealer or manufacturer correct it before driving extensively.

 

[Glen]

After reading this thread, I tried an imaging experiement. I acquired a polarized plastic sheet and used the LCD display of my laptop as a polarized light source to illuminate the windshield in my VW. The VW has a Pilkington replacement windshield, the same brand as my 2025 Grenadier original windshield. I was able to easily image the birefringence around a rock chip in the VW windshield.

Then I tried imaging birefringence in my Grenadier windshield: it has no chips or cracks, but it does have Xpel protection film. I tried positioning the polarized light source both inside and outside the vehicle with the polarized plastic sheet on the other side. I examined the whole windshield, but especially focused on the corners, edges and the bottom center where several members have reported some type of apparently spontaneous cracking.

I found no birefringence indicating uneven stress in the windshield glass. I suppose it is possible that the Xpel film could reduce contrast to the point I can't see what would otherwise be visible birefringence, so I'll try this experiment again when I eventually remove the Xpel to replace it. (probably in a year or two).

I was able to image birefringence in the Grenadier side windows (they appear as vertical bands) and this makes sense since these are tempered glass panels built with intentional stress that will cause the glass to shatter into little pieces if it is broken. And totally unrelated, I was able to easily image the stress in many different glass objects as well (wine glasses, tumblers, etc.).

One more comment - I replaced many, many windshields in Alaska over the years. Driving the Alcan Highway was almost guaranteed to spawn a windshield replacement. In my experience, among Sekurit, PPG and Pilkington (the three most common brands I ran into), Pilkington was the worst for break resistance and the softest when it came to pitting from sand or small rocks. PPG and Sekurit seemed to be far more break and chip resistant. I ran a 1972 VW Bug up and down the Alcan Highway many times, and it had a near-vertical, near-flat windshield, just like my Grenny. I incurred only 2 broken windshields in 100,000 miles of use, so I might expect something similar with my Grenny.

 

[pmatusov]

Then I tried imaging birefringence in my Grenadier windshield: it has no chips or cracks, but it does have Xpel protection film. I tried positioning the polarized light source both inside and outside the vehicle with the polarized plastic sheet on the other side. I examined the whole windshield, but especially focused on the corners, edges and the bottom center where several members have reported some type of apparently spontaneous cracking.

I found no birefringence indicating uneven stress in the windshield glass. I suppose it is possible that the Xpel film could reduce contrast to the point I can't see what would otherwise be visible birefringence, so I'll try this experiment again when I eventually remove the Xpel to replace it. (probably in a year or two).

By the way, the plastic film in any Triplex glass will likely exhibit birefringence. It may be very benign for high-quality glass.
That paper helped me immensely on a tangentially-related project

 

[Sammyd]

How effective are windshield protection films?
Do they eventually get cloudy and scratched up from wipers?

 

[pmatusov]

How effective are windshield protection films?
Do they eventually get cloudy and scratched up from wipers?

Very effective with respect to glass sand pitting and star cracks - none in 13 months since I installed XPEL film.
It has not become cloudy but did get scratched up with the wipers - pretty much right away. It is not yet to the point of being intolerable while driving into sunrise or sunset, but already annoying. I'll probably replace it with new XPEL or Windshield Defense towards the end of the year.

 

[Glen]

Very effective with respect to glass sand pitting and star cracks - none in 13 months since I installed XPEL film.
It has not become cloudy but did get scratched up with the wipers - pretty much right away. It is not yet to the point of being intolerable while driving into sunrise or sunset, but already annoying. I'll probably replace it with new XPEL or Windshield Defense towards the end of the year.

Totally agree. I have Xpel and it has stopped at least two small rocks with no damage to the glass. As you say, the wipers immediately leave tiny tracks in it - especially that one time I accidentally bumped the wiper stalk getting into the vehicle and the windshield was dusty and dry. I'm pretty tolerant of scratches, so they don't bother me that much. I'll probably replace the Xpel in a year, or longer if the level of scratches remain unobtrusive.

The dealer had already installed the Xpel when I bought my (new) Grenadier and they charged USD $700 for it. I suspect a nearby third-party installer will charge about half that.

 

[Sammyd]

Which is the better product: X-pel or Windshield Defense?
Any other options?
Does a ceramic coat over the films reduce the scratches?

 

[Tom109]

At $250 self-install, I like the Windshield Defense, but I don't currently have any film installed.