I think Ford had the right idea with using subpar adhesive......driver gets ejected through a limp windshield without dealing with an airbag, makes complete sense.

 

I would be extremely surprised if they opted to reuse the original windshield. Every body shop and glass guy Ive talked with always starts off saying that they usually break on removal. Even if its just a small chip on an edge that will not be seen they wont use it. Its a liability.

I had a mobile guy try to cleanly remove a windshield on an old offroad rig. The windshield had become loose around 1/4 of it on its own, adhesive failed. We thought maybe it would be reusable. He couldn't do it, came out with several chipped edges.

 

Safelight replaced a factory windshield on My 2000 F-250 SD about 1 year ago .. It
had three bullet spots was well sand blasted and a crack center to right low on the windshield ..
It came out in 1 piece, I didn't check the edges for chips .. But it surprised Me it
came out in 1 piece with the damage it had .. Scrap Yards sell used windshields all the time ..
Properly removed and reinstalled they maybe alright .. Factory windshield glass cost I guess about
500 dollars plus labor another 100 dollars plus another 100 dollars to remove ..
Just replacing all that glass will cost a boat load of money ..Thats why I think Ford will reuse glass ..
They won't let customers in the work area so We really can't tell if it has been replaced or reinstalled ..
If it cracks from a edge chip after they work on it they claim Not Our Fault .. Your insurance ends
up covering it .. That is why I asked up thread if Ford was going to remove windshields to check them ..
I don't notice any problems with My pickup .. No rattles wind noise or leaks water I would just as soon
Ford leave it alone unless there is a problem ..

 

After watching the video shared above I can see that it is quite possible, using that technique, to remove these without breakage. That is not the technique Ive seen used on my previous vehicles(non Ford), or those of my friends. The tool I have seen them use in the past looks like a sawzall with a scrapper blade in it. Pretty aggressive and loud. That along with a manual cutting tool/blade.

If its a safety recall Ford will want to do every vehicle who's VIN it applies to. It wont matter if it leaks or not, or if the adhesive has failed yet or not.

 

I have removed windshields from junk cars before. It's tedious and one slip up can cost you, but certainly do-able. I'd be surprised if the Ford tech's did this job themselves. When I take mine in (apparently after April) I'll ask the shop manager how they'll do the job, or if Safelite or another company will be doing it. They're pretty straight shooters. They had no problem telling me that they were sending my seat to a local upholstery shop to be fixed instead of having Ford send them a new seat cover when I realized mine was missing stitching.

For giggles, I just pulled up Safelite's page to see what it would cost to have them replace a windshield. First of all, the factory Ford glass with "Ford" printed on the top is on national backorder with very limited supply, according to a notice on Safelite's site. If you say you're not interested in the "equal quality" non Ford script glass, they will take your information and contact you when/if the glass becomes available. If you're ok with non Ford script glass, it's $329.99 plus tax, disposal, etc. So with that info, I think it's safe to say that Ford will have to reuse our original windshields.

 

4wd6.7L
I guess I just have to make the decision to take it in or not when the letter arrives ..
I started buying new ford pickups in 1978 over the years there have been a few recalls ..
To My memory most were for things that didn't amount to much ..
The one that sticks in My mind was a brake recall the letter just said a problem with the brakes ..
It turned out some people were having overheating problems with the front disc brakes ..
The fix was a strip of aluminum tape between the brake pad and caliper pistons ..
I was Less Then Happy with Ford Motor Co at that point ..
They used up a Day of My Life that I will never get back over that crap ..
When the brake pads were worn out I was told by the service manager I had to buy My own tape ..
In My opinion a complete waste of My time and money, Because in those days like today there
are morons that drive with 1 foot on each pedal .. Dragging the brakes and causing over heating and fade ..
So I am a little reticent to just jump on these recall band wagons without knowing what the
dealer is going to fix and how .. Thanks for the information !!
Steve