My TL's windscreen leaks sometimes in the top corners. I called windscreens obrien and they said:

They would like you to take it to the centre, in Brooklyn, to have it done. They will completely remove the windscreen, clean out the whole area and apply rust proofing to the window frame. then they will put in a new seal and put the window back in.

All together, you are looking at around $260 with a lifetime warranty that the frame wont rust.

I feel that this would be high quality work, but i thought it would be a simple $50 pull it out, pull old seal off, reseal replace. For that price im wondering if they have thrown in a whole new windscreen aswell :-\

Am I dreaming or are they?

I paid $220 to have a new windscreen put in my ralliart when I had it..

$260 seems like a bit of a rip.. o'briens usually are though IMO..

$50 would get you 30 minutes of someones time.

just ask how long this work would take and you will find out that it is not a quick job.

Just list the tasks that are required to remove the screen-
Remove wipers
Remove main trim
remove windscreen side surrounds
remove windscreen trim
cut round into glue bead
lift out screen
Clean screen
Clean adhesive from windscreen rebate
deal with any rust
Prime screen
Prime opening
Apply adhesive
Replace and set screen into place, adjust and wedge.
Replace trim
replace side trims
replace bottom trim panels
replace windscreen wipers.

Nuff said!!
Gerry

mate, its a faily time consuming job,i know it does sound a bit on the high side. but you want quailty work done, other wise it will give you grief later on, with rust and leaking.

RACV/Western Windscreens changed my windscreen on my KS for $184.50 (RACV member) and a month later got a $20 Bunning voucher on top... that come to my place to do it too...

and

I don't know how one could remove a windscreen without breaking it... more often than not, it will break...

I don't recall my sister's old windscreen breaking when O'Briens replaced it a few months ago...

I get screens fitted with a brand new screen for about 185, this INCLUDES the screen!!!!

Rarely can you get out a screen in once peice, they will crack it, then tell you it will cost you another 250 as it was not their fault.

You do not need to rust proof a magna either, most screen people cut the screen out and do not remove what is left of the old sealant provided they can see where the leak was and also determine what is left was not causing the leak

on your insurence did you choose the windscreen option??

most insurance covers windscreen breaks these days, like 1 per year

got a hammer laying around?

Given the OP stated "windscreen" most would assume the front, then again assumption is the mother of all "mistakes"

Either way, both front and rear are glued in

most insurance covers windscreen breaks these days, like 1 per year

got a hammer laying around?

+1 for the hammer thing if ur insured for windscreen
and keep ur money in ur pocket :ninja:

Edit: and if ur not insured, call ur insurance and include this option to ur policy, give it few days and then use the hammer :D

$50 would get you 30 minutes of someones time.

just ask how long this work would take and you will find out that it is not a quick job.

Just list the tasks that are required to remove the screen-
Remove wipers
Remove main trim
remove windscreen side surrounds
remove windscreen trim
cut round into glue bead
lift out screen
Clean screen
Clean adhesive from windscreen rebate
deal with any rust
Prime screen
Prime opening
Apply adhesive
Replace and set screen into place, adjust and wedge.
Replace trim
replace side trims
replace bottom trim panels
replace windscreen wipers.

Nuff said!!
Gerry

not hugely related to topic, but sorta is.

at work (panel beaters) im quite frequently getting windscreens replaced in some of the cars that i look after (X Govt off fleet vehicles)
the mob that we get to do the windscreens for us, can have the old one and, area prepped and new one in, all done in around 45minutes.
they come to us, and charge us around 220 (inc gst).
il admitt - they do NOT have to repair any rust or do any priming etc, but they are efficient at doing it.

i got a windscreen replaced in my Hyundai (yeah i know - dont have it anymore tho :) ) few years ago, by windscreens obrien and it cost me $470!!!!!!! (that was with my Aami insured and RACQ discounts!!!)

trim peices just unclip easy enough in most cases.

personally - i think 260 is reasonable, but find out BEFORE you do it, what the deal is if they break the windscreen when taking it out
(the guys we use 99% of the time get the windscreens out in one piece too which is strange i admitt...)

i got a windscreen replaced in my tm magna for $150 about 6 months ago

$260 would be reasonable if they repair the rust properly (which i assume is what o'brien's believe is the cause of your leak). They will have to carefully cut all the old urethane off the windscreen frame(time consuming), then paint it with a special coating (not cheap) which will stop any more rust and allow the urethane to bond properly to the body and not leak. If this is not done the rust will come back and lift the urethane off the body again and leak.

The only way rust can form around the body where the windscreen seals is if the paint has been scratched deep enough to expose bare metal. usually this is due to cutting the old windscreen out and having the cutting tool go too deep and scrape off paint. I have seen cars come back after 6 months due to water leakage, only to find rust is the underlying cause because the paint was scratched off in places.

REgards

Epitrochoid

As to the insurance, no, i ticked the hire car option, left the windscreen one as i thought "never had a windscreen break before".

Yes it is the front windscreen.

Im not sure, some people seem to think that it is worth it, and some say they had a whole replacement for less. Am i right in thinking that there is more work in resealing the window rather than just replacing the glass?

I will see if i can get an RACV quote tomorrow, im a member but i know their insurance is monumentally more than my current provider, so i always thought that their prices were too high. I dont mind paying the price, i just dont like finding out the next day that i've paid too much.

Thankyou all for your input, its much appreciated.

Might be just worth getting the whole screen replaced, there's nothing like looking through nice new glass, especially if yours is the original screen. I had my screen taken out when resprayed, and just got a new one put back in, makes a big difference having a new screen vs. one a few years old. Cost $180 all up to get remove the old screen, and put the new screen in, which would've been resealed anyways

As to the insurance, no, i ticked the hire car option, left the windscreen one as i thought "never had a windscreen break before".

Yes it is the front windscreen.

Im not sure, some people seem to think that it is worth it, and some say they had a whole replacement for less. Am i right in thinking that there is more work in resealing the window rather than just replacing the glass?

I will see if i can get an RACV quote tomorrow, im a member but i know their insurance is monumentally more than my current provider, so i always thought that their prices were too high. I dont mind paying the price, i just dont like finding out the next day that i've paid too much.

Thankyou all for your input, its much appreciated.

Where in Vic are you, I have a guy who will come to you, remove the old screen, replace with a brand new one for under 200 bucks.

No difference in removing and resealing really as both have to remove the screen.

Clearly you have been over quoted, those who say you have not been are simply talking rubbish and clearly have no experience with screens

For those who are wanting to know, BOTH front and rear screens are bonded with urathayne, they use a produce like sicaflex however it is 2 part, ie needs a primer/curing agent that is put on the glass, the sealant is placed on teh body, the glass is put in place and positioned and the chemical reaction then sets the sealant in an hour or two. Generally you can drive after a couple hours but is best to leave at least 6

I am in altona/laverton north.

I would also think that its high as i have told them that its leaking, and it would be reasonable for them to assume that its rusting, or at least starting to rust, that's why they would treat it with some rust prevention? I wouldn't think they would do that if there was just a regular window replacement.

Western Windscreen is a contractor of RACV, they replaced the windscreen on my KS. I booked it via RACV website and they came down to replace it for me at $184.50 after member's discount. It took the guy about 20mins to replace it and leave, after a month they called me to confirm my address only to send me a $20 Bunning voucher... can't get tooo much better than that, I'm not sure how much a 3rd gen windscreen would set you back though.

Leaking windscreens are usually caused by rust - hence they assume some rust repair is needed.

It is quite possible to take a screen out yourself without breaking it - wreckers will sell you one cheap if you are prepared to take it out yourself.

Stay away from o'brien - they specialise in insurance work and hence charge the earth - a Nanna owned car that is insured is their target audience.

If it was my car I would remove the outside trim, being careful to not bend it or break the clips, and fill the gap around the screen with silastic. With the trim off you can check if there is rust or failure of the sealant. Replace trim, clean up with turps. Job done. Cost = 1 tube silastic.

Leaking windscreens are usually caused by rust - hence they assume some rust repair is needed.

It is quite possible to take a screen out yourself without breaking it - wreckers will sell you one cheap if you are prepared to take it out yourself.

Stay away from o'brien - they specialise in insurance work and hence charge the earth - a Nanna owned car that is insured is their target audience.

If it was my car I would remove the outside trim, being careful to not bend it or break the clips, and fill the gap around the screen with silastic. With the trim off you can check if there is rust or failure of the sealant. Replace trim, clean up with turps. Job done. Cost = 1 tube silastic.

Yeah right mate, just remind me never to let you anywhere near my car or any car for that matter, it is crap like this that causes rust as silastic is acidic and will eat away the body faster than the water

You say that "Leaking windscreens are usually caused by rust" do you wish to qualify this in some sort of way, shape or form? Is this from experience or just something you watched on the Simpsons.

The car in question is a late model car, the chances of rust are that small it is not even worth thinking of. Mits have had screen issued for years on both front and rear screens thus the several recalls over the years.

Madmagna, you forgot to criticise a small part of my comment - the part about o'brien!
The rest of your criticisms were good though. Very well thought out and not in the least grumpy, like your posts tend to be whenever I mention Silastic.

PS Silastic is an air curing polymer. It releases acetic acid as it cures, but this dissipates within a day or so. To say that Silastic is acidic or basic in the long term is not relevant as it is not water soluble. I have used it for years in areas where overpainting in not required, like leaking windscreens, without any rust problems. Just look for "neutral curing" on the package to be on the safe side.

If the OP doesn't want to use this, there are a number of similar air cure products in a tube or cartridge specifically labelled as "windscreen sealant" at large hardware stores.

Madmax - not having a dig as such, but repairs should be done properly or not at all. Its amazing that people will spend $5000 on a tv, but not be willing to pay a professional $200 to properly fix and repair a leaking windscreen, instead buying a tube of silastic (which, personally should be banned from every hardware store)* and 'having a go' themselves.

*I've worked on enough cars to see how silastic is 'used', its used to bodgey up a car instead of repairing something properly. Yes it has its places where its meant to be used - 99% of the time people use it when they cant be ****d spending an extra 5minutes doing the job properly.

Fully agree - silastic is now on the banned list.

just my 2 cents worth, since I am able to state as fact. Nationally, O'Briens use Sikatack Move for their windscreen adhesive, Instant Windscreens use Sikaflex 255 Extra, Protector Autoglass and National Auto Glass use Sikatack Drive and or 255 Extra, depending on the drive away times required. Of the three Sikatack Move has the shortest drive away time, under 2 hours with airbags, then Drive at 2 hours with double air bags or 30mins without and 255 Extra bringing up the rear at 4 hours or 10 hours with air bags. These are all 1 part polyurethanes, Sikatack Move is an exlcusive to O'Briens product, gives them a slight edge in the market

All i have to say is make sure they are gentle on the rear view mirror when trying to get it off.
Some people are rough with it and usually causes the ball to loosen up and rattle when installed on the new screen.

Had my daughter's TE fitted today for a new windscreen (for Roadworthy). Guy came to our place and did it for $175.

Thats not too bad.. did he provide the windsreen?

Sorry its been a while since i posted this.

Finally got off my butt and done something about this today. On the way to work i saw a local company van that specifically said reseals. So i called them up and... well... the guy could use a bit of customer service training. Personally if i don't like the guy on the other end, im not going to give him any money.

At the end of the day i called RACV and they've arranged for a guy to come to my work Monday to do it. Will cost me $76. When they pull it out, if there is any rust, ill just get them to whack the window back in, and arrange to take it somewhere to have the rust repaired.

Lets see how we go on monday.

sounds good. Tell us how it goes!

Ok it didnt go as well as planned.

RACV guy came out, and first of all, he thought it was a chip repair job. I told him what i wanted done, and he hopped in the car, pulled off the trim for the A pillar and pushed on the window, the "glue" wasnt bonded to the screen on the whole left side of the window.

He said that is all has to come out, be "reglued" and put back in (as we know). He then said that 8/10 times the windscreen will break (as you guys have already said) when it gets removed, so we have booked it in for tomorrow, and they will come back with a spare screen. That way if it doesnt break they can reseal, or replace it if it does break.

Just then got a call with the quote, it would be $85 to reseal if the screen doesnt break, and $195 in total if the screen needs to be replaced. I think these are reasonable (and both way under windscreens obrien).

Ok it didnt go as well as planned.

RACV guy came out, and first of all, he thought it was a chip repair job. I told him what i wanted done, and he hopped in the car, pulled off the trim for the A pillar and pushed on the window, the "glue" wasnt bonded to the screen on the whole left side of the window.

He said that is all has to come out, be "reglued" and put back in (as we know). He then said that 8/10 times the windscreen will break (as you guys have already said) when it gets removed, so we have booked it in for tomorrow, and they will come back with a spare screen. That way if it doesnt break they can reseal, or replace it if it does break.

Just then got a call with the quote, it would be $85 to reseal if the screen doesnt break, and $195 in total if the screen needs to be replaced. I think these are reasonable (and both way under windscreens obrien).

Just go the new screen! as I've said before, you'll notice a difference with the new screen compared to the old one.

Take photos, also call Mitsubishi National Customer service and ask that they pay for the repair.

Although your car is now 6 years old this is an inherent manufacturing fault.
Just mention your local trading standards to wind them up a bit.

Give it a go.

Gerry

Like most people I look for value for money spent and despite O'bien's and other nationally franchised operators probably charging more there can be an advantage with their nationwide warranty. There is no 100% guarantee that an OLDER type screen with rubber seal (not glued in) will not leak after replacement. By using a franchised operator when your screen needs replacement while travelling, you can get it fixed anywhere under warranty within the warranty period if it leaks later. Obviously this is also true if you have it done at home and it leaks while travelling (as long as you keep your receipt etc in the glove box).

This may sound strange to worry about but different climates / temperatures and rainfall intensity can make a big difference particularly when in the tropics during the 'Wet' season.

Well the guy came out today, he was contracted from... western windscreens i believe. Nice guy, we chatted while he worked.

It seems that the glue stuff wasn't attached on the top corners, or down either side, just most of the top and the bottom. The guy did not have any nice things to say about the last guy who worked on it, if you're going to do a job, do it right. Due to its lack of seal, the window came out fine, it didnt break. As he was cleaning up the window, he could remove the old seal from the window mostly by hand, he commented that it was like the old one wasn't primed at all.

Put in a new seal, and $85 later, the car's all good again. Yay, no more being worried about leaving the car in the rain.