I have a 1990 Ford Aerostar that a branch fell on and broke the windshield. It only has liability insurance on it. Can anyone suggest the cheapest way to replace the windshield? Are there any videos or/and threads about how to do it yourself, and how to find the best price on the replacement?

Thank you for any help!
David
Buford, GA

 

A local installer in my area will come to my location to replace a windshield for less than a couple hundred dollars. That's less than most deductibles for comprehensive insurance. I would call around your area to get some quotes. The professionals can do this a lot better and quicker, and safer, than you can, so I would leave it to them.

 

in Tennessee replacement windshields are free, that is the law.

handling a piece of heavy and delicate glass the size of the Aerostar windshield is quite dangerous, you can lose a hand or a foot, leave it to a professional.

 

i got a quote of 200 from safelite but i have to take it to their shop.

 

there are other companies who come to you, shop around, get other quotes.

do a google search for "windshield replacement (name of your city)"

 

Ain't nothin' free, who supposedly pays for it?

 

Sort of.
This Windshield DIY thread shows "what", more than "how".
Also, I suspect your tree got more than just the windshield.
Only after a tree has been turned into a baseball bat do they become that selective.

 

In some states the comprehensive part of your insurance has to cover the full cost of windshield breakage, no deductible.

 

yes, the insurance company

 

Gee, I wonder where they get the money? Who could it be?!

 

[QUOTE=Tedster9;15108611]Gee, I wonder where they get the money? Who could it be?![/QUOTE

From the premiums they collect. Where else?

 

my windshield was cracked when i got it.will my ins company still replace it?

 

I will give a Safelite a shout out. I had them replace my Aero windshield about 8 months ago. They came to my house and replaced it in a couple hours, and well worth the $200. Like the commercials, the guy was professional and courteous, plus he took his time. There was some rust that he fixed and painted so there would be a good seal.

They are competitively priced with local shops, and there was no way I was going to do it myself with that big heavy thing. Plus it comes with a lifetime free chip repair.

 

My father is in the glazing business(construction, semi-retired) and has access to suppliers tools but even he doesn't replace his own windshield. Why, because he tells me because it is cheap to pay someone else to replace it then go thru the hassle to do it himself. This does not apply to you since your not in southern california but there is a street in our city that people are not aware of that has dozens of windshield repair shops and even wholesalers close by and they are half price other places so my father informs me. Last time he had to repair his windshield was for a 86 chevy s10 for $80 in early 2000's. He tells me it is probably the same price, but i doubt it. They probably replaced with a used one so he tells me, but neither he nor anybody else can tell the difference. It leaked after and he took it back, they raised the molding/weatherstrip where it leaked added more windshield Urethane and no more leaks. They reused his windshield moldings/weatherstrip.

Let me just state, i have never replaced any windshield but looks doable to me, but i would not do it if my father is correct and it cost like $100 or so.

If i had to do it i would buy the windshield at the local junkyard, which for me cost $39.99+tax on regular day, but i would probable go on a half price day, so for me it would be $19.99 + tax. Note i would be very careful and remove the old molding from junkyard aerostar just in case i needed to use it and do not have to purchase a new one. Molding is just decorative. It's the Urethane that keeps out the water. Then i would purchase the Urethane and primer.

NAPA AUTO PARTS
$17.55 + tax.

NAPA AUTO PARTS
$13.05 /ea x 3 = $39.15 + tax (Probably only need 1 or maybe 2)

Rust Metal primer local paint shop, probably $5.00 dollars or so.

Tools, i have access to commerical grade glass suction cups but if i needed some for this job i would buy some at Harbor Frieght for $7 or $8 dollars each(test them if they can carry the weight, do not trust what the description states, it is HF after all). Razor blade knife and Reg. Caulking gun are avaliable at home depot. Few dollars.

All doable for less than $100 or so.

Videos on how to do it in general are here.
Part 1 of 2
Part 2 of 2

P.S. Last week when i was at the junkyard i saw two different guys remove Windshields with no gloves and only a razor blade knife by themselves. Windshields are laminated glass, two glass with glue between, pretty safe, and not too dangerous. I assumed it was heavy, but from the guys at the junk yard carry the windshield and the youtube videos, it does not seem too bad.

 

the two pull-a-part yards that I visit have a windshield shop at the lot and they do the job for $80.00 start to finish. (plus a tip for a job well done).