Member Since: 22 Sep 2006
Location: Buckinghamshire
Posts: 26
Replacement Windscreen
Hi
Driving on the M4 yesterday my front screen was hit by ...something hard enough to chip and crack the screen sufficiently to warrant a new one being fitted.
As the screen is covered bar a £50 excess I contacted my insurers and they have arranged replacement. No problems so far.
However in my formative years I worked in the windscreen replacement industry - not for long but long enough to have some reservations in regards how my vehicle is treated and the quality of replacement.
For my own peace of mind have any other members had issues with the replacement of a damaged screen during or post the procedure - forearmed is forewarned.
Thanks in advance.
30th Oct 2006 6:57 pm
jkp
Member Since: 17 Sep 2005
Location: Living among Bawbags
Posts: 4528
Nothing personaly, but do a search, as I seem to remember someone on here having a problem. From what i've read it isn't a simple screen out, screen in, but requires the bonnet to be removed to gain access.
I'm sure someone will technicaly enlighten further.
...John
30th Oct 2006 8:34 pm
jkp
Member Since: 17 Sep 2005
Location: Living among Bawbags
Posts: 4528
Loads of other stories when you search "windscreen" although they were some time ago.
30th Oct 2006 8:40 pm
jimhi
Member Since: 27 Feb 2006
Location: Dorset
Posts: 3
I had the screen replaced back in March when the vehicle was only 2-3 weeks old. In early Sep part of the trim on the A pillar came adrift on a windy motorway. Eventually, the screen company replaced the clips that hold the trim on either side of the screen (I think there are about 5 clips each side), because they had been broken when the trim was removed. Since then no problems ... and the annoying rattle that I had noticed at odd times over the summer has disappeared.
Changing the screen should be OK, but check that the clips are not damaged (or get them replaced if they are damaged).
30th Oct 2006 9:12 pm
simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
Windscreen replacement does not need the bonnet removed.
The clips WILL need replacing (bottom ones I think) whenever the A pillar trim is removed. Seems to be a 'standard' feature. May have changed since early builds though.
Potential issues i am aware of are...
1. Bubbles in the sealant - will cause leaks Same on all modern vehicles though. Its such a big area to do its a real pain for the fitter.
2. When cutting away the old sealant headlining trim can be damaged.
3. Ensure they put a protective sheet over your dash ! Else it may well get scratched or splattered with sealant. Or at minimum you'll have shavings of old seal in the nooks and crannies of your dash and air vents.
4. Make sure the fitter has done a D3 before. In the early days the black trim that goes under the windscreen rubber seal and leads up to the roof rails has been known to have been cut away and not moved out of the way.
Oh ! And make sure the screen is a good one. My 1st one (changed under warranty) had smears in the sandwich where the heating elements were.
Hope all goes well.
30th Oct 2006 9:28 pm
dodger
Member Since: 01 Nov 2006
Location: cardiff
Posts: 33
Does anyone have experience of retro fitting a heated front screen on disco 3 Thanks
1st Nov 2006 2:52 pm
Sib
Member Since: 19 Aug 2006
Location: Bath
Posts: 26
I`m on my third windscreen . Somehow seem to attract flying stones on M4 ! No problems regarding fitting but I would also like to know if its possible to retrofit a heated screen and connect it up and get my friendly dealer to fit the dash switch next time it happens ??
2nd Nov 2006 6:08 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72787
Did it on my D2, wires were all there, just needed a switch & relay plus telling system that it was there. Not much help but if there are excess plugs at the corner of each screen....
2nd Nov 2006 6:11 pm
dodger
Member Since: 01 Nov 2006
Location: cardiff
Posts: 33
Advice from local LR dealer is that it is easy on D2 but no not possible on D3
2nd Nov 2006 7:05 pm
croyde
Member Since: 17 Aug 2005
Location: SE England
Posts: 459
Be warned. My BMW was vandalised and had both the front windows smashed in.
Called the windscreen co that my insurers use to fix it but they made such a mess of it that they broke the regulators, replacement cost over £150, and I am still fighying the insurance company for money to fix it.
Problem is that cars are much more complex today and I don't like the idea of a couple of wide boys fixing my windows. Should really be done at the dealer but I don't see insurance companies going for it.
14th Nov 2006 2:48 pm
Winnie6024
Member Since: 22 Sep 2006
Location: Buckinghamshire
Posts: 26
2-4 months Later..........
Windscreen was replaced with no apparent issues way back in November, however whilst driving up the M6 in late January my offside pillar cowling became detached at about 50mph in high crosswinds only being held on at the bottom where it goes under the bonnet. Having stopped and tried to refit and having the same thing happen I noted the lack of clips either in the cowling of left in the bodywork of the car. Bottom line is that none of the dealerships in Glasgow (my destination) sold the clips separately so once back home in Bucks I had to order a whole new cowling c/w clips - I fitted this and havent had a problem since - I have also checked the nearside cowling and have a full compliment of clips holding it in place - as a precaution I kept the remaining 2 clips from the old one just in case. I also wrote to RAC Windscreens sending photos and a copy of the invoice for the replacement cowling and received full reimbursement 2 weeks later.
I also recently found that the plastic casing behing the interior rear view mirror had also been refitted incorrectly after one side of it fell off! No damage though just a but of commonsense required to refit it properly.
The lesson learned here for me is argue with your insurer and insist that any screen replacement is completed under the auspices of LR themselves rather than your insurers preferred supplier- LR may elect to sub the job out one of the many windscreen companies out there, but whomever they chose will probably have at least done the job before (and you will possible get an original LR screen too!)
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Same on all modern vehicles though. Its such a big area to do its a real pain for the fitter.
