Windshield replacement - what to look for

[LarryZiegler]

If you plan on claiming this on your insurance, you do need to do the ADAS calibration.

All Broncos have a forward camera that gets used for Collision Assist. That is supposed to get calibrated any time you:
Replace the camera/module
Replace the Windshield
Adjust your lift or rake

Seems most glass shops charge a few hundred dollars to do it (which is crazy because it takes about 10 minutes with FDRS). But if you decline it, your insurance may consider the repair "incomplete" and fail to pay out.

A friend of mine owns an auto glass shop. They charge $250 for the required calibration after windshield replacement. They have to perform the calibration to avoid liability in case of an accident and the calibration equipment cost them $16,000, thus they have to recoup that expense that is part of the replacement process. They are a Safelite authorized shop, thus I’m sure Safelite has required guidelines they must follow if they want to get Safelite authorized work (many insurance companies manage their glass replacement much like health insurance carriers manage their PPO and payment guidelines).

It's a crime how much they charge for the recalibration.

If I could do it at home with FDRS I'd finally break down and buy the adapter.

Fortunately in CA windshield repair/replacement is 100% covered by insurance without deductible.

That’s an incorrect statement. Although many insurance companies waive the Comprehensive deductible for repairs, State Farm and Mercury Insurance do not. Some companies have a special $0 deductible coverage for glass replacement (I have such an endorsement on my Nationwide policy), but $250 for all other Comprehensive claims.

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[Brian_B]

They have to perform the calibration to avoid liability in case of an accident and the calibration equipment cost them $16,000

It may cost that much for some cars. For the Bronco, it costs about $150 - less if Forscan can do it

 

[DaveInSA]

It may cost that much for some cars. For the Bronco, it costs about $150 - less if Forscan can do it

Which is why I doubt they did it on mine. I went to a repair shop. They have a 'glass guy' that brings the glass on a certain day every week and he does the replacement there. I don't think the actual repair shop had any equipment other than a bay.

I'll do the forscan one myself when it dries out. Forecast says rain for several days.

 

[BroncocnorB]

I ended up going with a local shop because of the price of safelite. I did NOT get OEM glass, so I don't have the bronco label any more.. But it only cost me $566 out the door.

I’m pretty anal. I’d want all the OE Bronco labeling

 

[Brian_B]

I’m pretty anal. I’d want all the OE Bronco labeling

My Bronco says ACCESSORY READY in enough spots already

I do miss my "Made in Michigan" sticker, and the 1966 tribute though.

 

[AZ_Liberty]

Shop around. I found a glass shop on my local Bronco FB forum that got me OEM glass at no markup.

I'm in AZ, so by law if I have Comp glass is zero deductible. So zero cost. Safelite wanted $150 out of my pocket for the OEM glass.

And yes the emergency braking camera needs to be calibrated. But the glass shop will include that.

I don't understand the comments about driving. The camera is calibrated with a big target chart. They did it in my parking lot, but I had to back into the space.

 

[LarryZiegler]

I’m pretty anal. I’d want all the OE Bronco labeling

My first 2 windshields were OEM with all the Bronco labeling and it was mfg by Carlite (no longer a Ford owned company). The 3rd and current windshield, non OEM, and mfg by Fuyao, an additional OEM mfg of windshields (mine has none of the Bronco labeling). This replacement has lasted 1/ 1/2 yrs and has taken some direct hits unlike the 1st 2 Carlite pieces and has held up extremely well with no cracks or pits, thus I am in favor of the non OEM Fuyao brand.

 

[DarthLincoln]

I don't understand the comments about driving. The camera is calibrated with a big target chart. They did it in my parking lot, but I had to back into the space.

There’s 2 methods that can be used to calibrate the camera: static which requires target equipment, or dynamic which needs a well marked road.

https://adasdepot.com/blog/windshield-adas-calibration-guide

 

[GroovyGeek]

Safelite wanted $150 out of my pocket for the OEM glass.

That is a scammy thing they run which is hydrophobic coating on the glass and ludicrously overpriced fresh wipers. With my insurance (Safeco) they showed

$0 - glass service only
$70 - standrd service (preferred by most)
$160 - premium service

When you click on the buttons, the only difference between $0 and $70 was wipers.

 

[gbub]

Fortunately in CA windshield repair/replacement is 100% covered by insurance without deductible.

I have never had zero deductible coverage in CA for windshield replacement. I have USAA insurance and windshield replacement is covered under Comprehensive. I have $100 deductible and they had a special deductible for windshield replacement at $40 from around 1990 to the very early 2000s but it went to the $100 deductible after that.

I've had at least 5 windshields replace on two different Rangers since 1989 and my billfold knows the history of their deductible on it. They do cover chip and star repair with $0 deductible. Maybe that is what you are thinking about.

 

[GroovyGeek]

I have never had zero deductible coverage in CA for windshield replacement. I have USAA insurance and windshield replacement is covered under Comprehensive. I have $100 deductible and they had a special deductible for windshield replacement at $40 from around 1990 to the very early 2000s but it went to the $100 deductible after that.

I've had at least 5 windshields replace on two different Rangers since 1989 and my billfold knows the history of their deductible on it. They do cover chip and star repair with $0 deductible. Maybe that is what you are thinking about.

I was under impression that this is a CA thing because I never asked for it and both now and with my Wrangler I never had to pay a penny. But both you and someone else pointed out that this is not the case. My comprehensive deductible is $500

 

[CMillBronco]

I was under impression that this is a CA thing because I never asked for it and both now and with my Wrangler I never had to pay a penny. But both you and someone else pointed out that this is not the case. My comprehensive deductible is $500

Could be insurance company too, State Farm has free replacements including recal, at least that's what my agent tells me and I don't see anything listing Windshield anything. do about 2 a year with all of ours/kids vehicles and the wives 4Runner needs one bad, she has ditch lights so I'm going to go in again to see if they make me take them off.

 

[AZ_Liberty]

There’s 2 methods that can be used to calibrate the camera: static which requires target equipment, or dynamic which needs a well marked road.

https://adasdepot.com/blog/windshield-adas-calibration-guide

Like I would let some rando glass guy drive my manual transmission.

Honestly though, I have never heard of the drive calibration. Every glass shop around has this big target they put on a stand 20 ft in front of the vehicle.

 

[mdk77]

2022 Base Sas owner here. Got my first cracked windshield. Question: for those who replaced, does the new one come with the embedded QR Code and other mesh wiring the original came with?

 

[Brian_B]

2022 Base Sas owner here. Got my first cracked windshield. Question: for those who replaced, does the new one come with the embedded QR Code and other mesh wiring the original came with?

QR code - I don’t think so. Factory glass might, but for sure the cheaper non-OEM glass does not. You also lose the “Made in MAP” sticker no matter which glass.

Factory glass will have “accessory ready” labels and the Bronco decal on the lower drivers side above the ViN. Non-OEM glass won’t have any of that.

For the mesh wiring for the front collision cam - yes, no matter which you go with.

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