Windshield cracked... what are my options?

[82-T/A]

So, we just bought the Bronco, haha... and less than two weeks, it has two cracks in the windshield. Somehow, something hit our windshield on the way back from my daughter's sporting event on the highway. Normally this would be a non-issue... I just call Safelite or some other place and get a new windshield.

But this windshield is different. It's got some kind of QR code on it, it says "Bronco - Established 1963" or something on it, etc.

I'm concerned that if I get a new windshield for this car, it will not have any of that stuff. Anyone here had to replace a windshield, and were all the aftermarket ones the same? Or did you have to go to a Ford dealership?


Thanks!

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[HighVelocity]

I avoid Imperial Outposts at all costs. I used Safelite. They came to me, replaced it and went away. The perfect amount of effort and interaction.

No, the replacements don't have that stuff printed on it. No, I don't care. Windshields are consumables. Not once have I looked at it and lamented that it no longer tells me some arbitrary date prior to my birth that they are attempting to draw some emotional lineage to.

 

[Brian_B]

There are two types of windshields:

OEM will have the printed Bronco and Accessory Ready logos - but you will lose the QR code and the Made in Detroit sticker

Aftermarket is the same glass, just without those logos - and is about $300 cheaper

 

[Atthelake152]

I think they also changed to SoundScreen for OEM as I now see that on the glass for the 2025’s. If you could get one of those, it might provide some improvement on dampening.

 

[Fonz54]

I will never use Safelite again. They replaced my windshield twice after stone strikes. The first time, they attempted a repair that did not work. Then they replaced the windshield at my home, and they did not reconnect the windshield washer hoses. Had go back to their facility to have this completed. The second time, I went to their facility and had the windshield replaced. When I got home and put my windshield sun screen in, it dropped about two inches lower than it had previously. Returned to Safelight, and they said that the windshield did not come with a rubber gasket that gets installed on the inside between the windshield and the dash. They added some half-ass material that slightly improved the situation, but I had to add my own weather stripping material to fill the gap. No more Safelite for me!

 

[Tilzbow]

You can request OEM glass when setting up your windshield replacement. Your insurance may or may not allow this or might charge you more.

 

[Mjasi3]

Used Safelite. Rock hit near the windshield camera, so they couldn't fix the impact point. Waited till it spread (about 2mo) and they replaced the windshield. I opted for OEM (extra $250) and had no issues with the install. The installer is somebody who has been doing it for many years and had his own tools not just the Safelite ones. He knew what he was doing. Not sure if I would get the OEM or aftermarket glass if it happens again

 

[Owl]

I had Safelite come out and install new OEM glass. It came out just fine, and since I had requested OEM from the insurance co. it didn't cost me a penny more. Glass says something like Bronco Established in 1966 (or something like that), and they even recalibrated the camera (I know because I was driving why the Safelite guy did the measurements. I think that is required here in CA. Not sure about the rest of the country.

Summary:
a) I have always used Safelite from Sacramento.
b) I have ben happy on both Bronco, Tacoma, and Forester with their work.

 

[CalvinT]

There are those who've had good luck with Safelite, others who've had a bad exerience. Same with dealers.

Can anyone post questions to ask so they can screen installers? For example asking how many Bronco windshields they've installed? Not the shop, but the guy doing the work.

Maybe someone can post the proper procedure. Then we could ask the shop how they do the replacement. What do they check for, etc?

Before I hire a contractor to work on my house, I learn what the job entails. Too often contractors don't do their homework. Seems to be the case with too many windshield installers too.

Personal experience with a local shop... I needed door glass installed in my MR2. Thieves had broken the original. I told the installer I had the shop manual. He said he could figure it out on his own. (Unfortunately a trait too many guys have.) Well he couldn't. I ended up redoing the install and correcting his mistakes. I should have thanked the guy for his time and gone somewhere else. Lesson learned.

 

[dgorsett]

There are two types of windshields:

OEM will have the printed Bronco and Accessory Ready logos - but you will lose the QR code and the Made in Detroit sticker

Aftermarket is the same glass, just without those logos - and is about $300 cheaper

Safelite gave me a choice. They asked "Does it have lettering across the top", I said no (the 1966 lettering is on the bottom), so I got one with no lettering. I've been waiting for 3 years to break another one so I can answer the question correctly.

 

[rayofsi]

I got fuyao glass from safelite. Has anyone that gotten safelite glass noticed any sound differences?

 

[HighVelocity]

I just went and looked at my OEM Safelite replacement, it does say Bronco Est. 1966 on the lower left corner. I don't see a QR code on it.

I still don't care.

 

[Area51BS]

I asked State Farm about mine when we had my wife’s sport fixed. Agent hmm hawed around about OEM. They will use OEM. But it sounds like a fight will be required of that time comes. Few little chips for now can stay.

 

[Beach_Bum]

So, we just bought the Bronco, haha... and less than two weeks, it has two cracks in the windshield. Somehow, something hit our windshield on the way back from my daughter's sporting event on the highway. Normally this would be a non-issue... I just call Safelite or some other place and get a new windshield.

...

Call anyone but Safelite. Read what happened to another member.

 

[Ducati1098]

I think they also changed to SoundScreen for OEM as I now see that on the glass for the 2025’s. If you could get one of those, it might provide some improvement on dampening.

The windshield camera is different for 25+, so other things would need to be changed along with the windshield (if even possible)

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