Cracked Windshield!!!
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
Cracked Windshield!!!
Not sure how but this morning I woke up to a cracked windshield. 
It is low and behind my windshield wipers so I guess a rock hit it and it just got big enough for me to notice. Has anyone changed one out on the new trucks yet? It;s a 2017 F-350 Platinum Ultimate Crew FX4. Safelite wants $480 installed. They have a warning though that since I have a camera for lane departure, it may have to be recalibrated after a new windshield is installed. Anyone heard of this??
It is low and behind my windshield wipers so I guess a rock hit it and it just got big enough for me to notice. Has anyone changed one out on the new trucks yet? It;s a 2017 F-350 Platinum Ultimate Crew FX4. Safelite wants $480 installed. They have a warning though that since I have a camera for lane departure, it may have to be recalibrated after a new windshield is installed. Anyone heard of this??
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: New Orleans Area
I just cracked mine. Safelite quoted $450 (no lane departure). When I read a thread in this forum a couple weeks ago about the price I called and checked. I also checked my insurance and my deductible was $500. I changed my deductible for all 3 cars and that increased my premiums by $350/year. Unfortunately, looks like I need it already. Cold snap hit yesterday in South Louisiana and an unseen chip turned into a crack today. Good luck with yours.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 72
From getting my windshield replaced, I learned that not all windshields are created equal. In our area, there are 3 typical types. The best is factory, next was from Mexico or Canada (I forget which), and worst was from China (yes, they really bring them from there).
I paid for a factory one...but they tried to slip in a lesser quality unit. I notice a distortion in the glass and called my local dealer. He said it would have a factory part number and 'Genuine" on it if factory.....anyways, in a nutshell, I had them come back out and install the factory glass.
I'm just throwing that out there for you. Maybe, since it's such a new model, only factory glass will be available.
I paid for a factory one...but they tried to slip in a lesser quality unit. I notice a distortion in the glass and called my local dealer. He said it would have a factory part number and 'Genuine" on it if factory.....anyways, in a nutshell, I had them come back out and install the factory glass.
I'm just throwing that out there for you. Maybe, since it's such a new model, only factory glass will be available.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From getting my windshield replaced, I learned that not all windshields are created equal. In our area, there are 3 typical types. The best is factory, next was from Mexico or Canada (I forget which), and worst was from China (yes, they really bring them from there).
I imagine they make more profit off the China made glass as it took me 10 minutes to tell him i didn't care how "exact" it was like the OEM I wanted the actual OEM. I also let him know I would want the specs on the glass they are installing to verify OEM manufactured.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
I just cracked mine. Safelite quoted $450 (no lane departure). When I read a thread in this forum a couple weeks ago about the price I called and checked. I also checked my insurance and my deductible was $500. I changed my deductible for all 3 cars and that increased my premiums by $350/year. Unfortunately, looks like I need it already. Cold snap hit yesterday in South Louisiana and an unseen chip turned into a crack today. Good luck with yours.
Trending Topics
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: New Orleans Area
Some (possibly all) come from the factory with"Sound Screen" glass and there is a sticker on the lower driver side. Mine has this *** well as my 2013 F150 Platinum and 2015 F150 Lariat. Satellite asked me if mine had this and I said yes. That's what they quoted me +/-$450 for but also asked If I would be interested in non-OEM for a lesser price. I said no.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 72
Thank you for pointing this out!!! I called Safelite and they were selling me a China made piece of glass that was EXACTLY like the factory piece. However for $90 more I could have factory OEM glass. I chose the OEM!! I imagine they make more profit off the China made glass as it took me 10 minutes to tell him i didn't care how "exact" it was like the OEM I wanted the actual OEM. I also let him know I would want the specs on the glass they are installing to verify OEM manufactured.
I imagine they make more profit off the China made glass as it took me 10 minutes to tell him i didn't care how "exact" it was like the OEM I wanted the actual OEM. I also let him know I would want the specs on the glass they are installing to verify OEM manufactured.This part is anecdotal, but the installer (not the same guy they sent the first time) that came out to put in the OEM glass told me the ones from China are sometimes off a bit on dimensions and they frequently are missing some kind of little clips at the bottom that help keep it in place as the sealant cures.
In any case...I'll take OEM over China knockoff when it's so close in price every day.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 7
Not sure where you heard this but Safelite AND the Ford dealership is telling me there is no difference. To me it sounds suspect as the engine has no bearing on the windshield. Please enlighten me if you know part #s or have some type of proof there is a difference.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,824
Likes: 39
From: Boise
Is it just me or does anyone else seem to wonder if these new windshields are somehow not as strong as previous SD's? This is the second thread that I've seen on this forum about cracked windows. Mine took a rock and split all the way across the bottom of the window. I've taken a lot of rocks over the years but never had one do the damage that I have now. I also noticed in the crash test thread the '17 front window broke while the '12 did not.? Maybe it is just coincidence and time of year.....
By the way, the rock came out of my own tire, flung forward under my front bumper, bounced up in the air and I ran into doing 50-55. No joke.
By the way, the rock came out of my own tire, flung forward under my front bumper, bounced up in the air and I ran into doing 50-55. No joke.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 369
Likes: 4
From: McCalla Alabama
Just under 500 I had to replace my windshield OEM replacement.
3 days ago it has happened again just under 5000. Both times I was going down the interstate, both times I did not see it happen just heard it. First time in the middle of the windshield. Second time very low on the driver side.
My son in law is a warehouse manager for Safelite he told me OEM windshield is the same for SD and F150.
3 days ago it has happened again just under 5000. Both times I was going down the interstate, both times I did not see it happen just heard it. First time in the middle of the windshield. Second time very low on the driver side.
My son in law is a warehouse manager for Safelite he told me OEM windshield is the same for SD and F150.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 81
Likes: 4
Second factor is that big CAFE push to keep losing weight on vehicles. Even if the windshield is just the solid piece and not a soundscreen type, they make 'em thinner than they used to to shave a few more pounds off of the weight of the vehicle.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: New Orleans Area
I thought all modern windshields were 2 pieces of glass with with some sort of vinyl/plastic between them for safety reasons. The Sound Screen may or may not have some other technology and/or materials involved. You'll also notice the door glass on F150's and 250's is also laminated now as well. Take a look the next time you roll down your windows. That, in my opinion, makes the biggest difference in noise reduction. One other factor that I'm sure has some effect on potential rock damage is windshield angle. I noticed on my 2014 Ram Cummins and 2015 Power Wagon the windshield seemed to be at a more noticeable slant/angle and and rocks seemed to hit and deflect more easily at a less severe angle rather than hit and chip the glass.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,805
Likes: 536
From: Florida
Some good points made here.
Now I haven't ever taken a protractor to a windshield, but I think the angle of the windshields from certain cab designs also make them more susceptible to cracks and chips from road debris. An 04 Ram I had absorbed every rock it ever encountered in almost 13 years I owned it and just kept on grinning. I could see tiny divots taken out of the glass, but it never chipped or cracked. On the other hand, our 04 4Runner would chip and crack if you looked at it funny.
I may be wrong, but I wouldn't be surprised if F-150 owners aren't seeing the same trend the new SD guys are seeing now.
Now I haven't ever taken a protractor to a windshield, but I think the angle of the windshields from certain cab designs also make them more susceptible to cracks and chips from road debris. An 04 Ram I had absorbed every rock it ever encountered in almost 13 years I owned it and just kept on grinning. I could see tiny divots taken out of the glass, but it never chipped or cracked. On the other hand, our 04 4Runner would chip and crack if you looked at it funny.
I may be wrong, but I wouldn't be surprised if F-150 owners aren't seeing the same trend the new SD guys are seeing now.