Replacement Front Windscreen On D2 Td5

[Stewie]

Hi there,
I have recently had a replacement front window fitted to my Disco 2 by a glass company here in Adelaide covered by my insurance.

I was informed from the insurance company that the glass that would be fitted would be non genuine however the glass would be to the exact same spec as the original or genuine glass. The glazier came over to my house and promptly fitted the new glass with heaps of noise and bangs and cracks. I went outside a couple of times to see what was going on but soon returned inside as the guy looked like he was up to his eyeballs in it. Once the job was completed I was suspicious from the start, something didn't quite look right. On close inspection the "skuttle" (the black piece of plastic under the wiper blades) was cracked in two places and the two black caps covering the "scuttle" were also marked as if they were attempled to be removed with a screw driver. The glazier informed me that these were like this when he began to which I promptly told him that there were not and that the damage was caused during the installation. Luckily I had some very recent pictures of the car which I have as evidence.

There was also a rubber corner piece missing from around the window under the bonnet. Again I was told by the glazier that this was already missing.

The rear vision mirror was not central, there was broken glass and old rubber everwhere.

Anyway, the glazier company is going to order me a new skuttle which i'm going to have my reliable Landrover mechanic fit.

My problem is that I have since sat in other Disco 2's with geniune glass fitted and the glass that I have does not seem to have the same tint as the others ones I've sat in. Also the non geniune glass fitted does not seem to be of the same tint as the side windows of my car. The heat from the sun also seem to be greater on my hands on the steering wheel since having the non geniune glass fitted.

Can anyone please inform me if :-

1: They know if non geniune glass has the same tint as genuine glass.
2: If the front windscreen of their disco 2's is the same tint as the side windows (geniune windows only)

Many Thanks

Stewie.

[Urban Panzer]

The Genuine Glass should be "Pilkington" "Optikool", ALL round....... ie it has a tint / covering to reflect heat from the car interior. It should also have a slight "green" tint to it.

I have been through 3!!! screens recently, and each time I have made sure they fit / supply the proper glass.

The broken skuttle issue is because he most likely tried or did remove it with the bonnet fitted. To make the job easier and to remove the risk of damage to the skuttle the bonnet should be taken off. Last 2 times I had to help the fitters get the A pillar trims back on as there was LOTS of swearing / banging and I just could not watch no more!! :eek:

[Stewie]

Yeah, I figured as much. My mechanic has indicated that this is the case (that they tried to cut corners and not remove the bonnet) which has caused them more agro in the long run.

Also the glass that they have fitted I'm not happy with as it seems to be alot hotter on my hands on the steering wheel than I recall (and the weather is even cooler now in Adelaide than it was before I had the window replaced) and brighter on my eyes. I thought I was imagining things but after sitting in some other Disco 2's with genuine glass all round I believe it is not just my imagination.

I think the glass in the front windscreen and front side windows is the same spec (Pilkington Optikool DOT17 M24 AS3 E11 43R 00003) and the rear passenger side windows are of a slightly different tint and spec. Is there any chnace you could confirm this (that the front windscreen and fron side windows are of the same spec) as this would give me some course of action with my insurance company.

I tried to specify to my insurance company that I wanted genuine glass but they informed me that this was not possible. What insurance company do you use and how did you get them to agree to geniune glass?

[AussieLandRover]

Oh crap I need to get mine replaced as well on my 95 Disco :eek:

[Graeme]

I'm going to have the same problem shortly as my insurer AAMI have stated that they will only pay for Australian glass unless the vehicle is still under warranty. The windscreen is OPTIKOOL like the front side windows but is laminated.

[AussieLandRover]

At least i know what to say now when I get mine done "take that bonnet off and all the trim before you even try to remove that windsreen or get lost you lazy *****" :angel:

[Basil135]

Stewie, if you are around the CBD & want to do a side by side comparison, drop me a line & we can sort something out.

I would see if LR Australia are able to give you the specs for the glass, and then go back to the insurance company armed with the info.

If they stated that the replacement glass will be the equivalent to genuine, then that is what they have to supply.

BTW - are you in the RAA? They have great free legal advice for members.

[AussieLandRover]

Just a question to anyone who has insurance that offers a free windscreen replacement per year what condition does the screen have to be to get it doen for free does it have to have a crack or can it just have those small little stone chips and wiper scratch marks on the driver view side ? I am with the RACV i read there book and all it does is refer's me to page 7 which thn refer's me to page 14 which refer's me back to page 7 on what is deemed a free replacement but it they don't tell you ?

[Stewie]

Stewie, if you are around the CBD & want to do a side by side comparison, drop me a line & we can sort something out.

I would see if LR Australia are able to give you the specs for the glass, and then go back to the insurance company armed with the info.

If they stated that the replacement glass will be the equivalent to genuine, then that is what they have to supply.

BTW - are you in the RAA? They have great free legal advice for members.

Thanks,

I'll be seeing my mechanic today for some other related issue so I'll see if I can have mine side by side with another disco II. if not then I'll give you a call and may take you up on the offer. Thanks heaps.

I am with the RAA so if I discover that the non genuine window I have fitted is not the same tint as the genuine I'll be giveing them a call.

Thanks again.

Stewie.

[Stewie]

Just a question to anyone who has insurance that offers a free windscreen replacement per year what condition does the screen have to be to get it doen for free does it have to have a crack or can it just have those small little stone chips and wiper scratch marks on the driver view side ? I am with the RACV i read there book and all it does is refer's me to page 7 which thn refer's me to page 14 which refer's me back to page 7 on what is deemed a free replacement but it they don't tell you ?

I'm lead to believe that if the chip is larger than a 10 cent piece anywhere on the window then it is advised that the window be replaced. If the chip is smaller than a 10 cent piece but NOT in the drivers direct field of view then you have the option to have it repaired. i.e if the chip is on the passengers side and is smaller than a 10 cent piece.

When I had mine recently done the chip was on the passsengers side but was slightly larger then a 10 cent piece. The repairer offered to fix it for me be seeing as though my insurance renewal was due in April I opted for a new screen. This means if I have another chip or breakage I'm still entilted to a new screen this insurance year,

Stewie.

[IceFyre]

Stewie is correct. Well that's essentially the rules with my insurance company, QBE. Only difference is that they cover all windows, all year, as many times as they break with no excess :) Gotta love that. Oh and I forgot, will reimburse you if you get it repaired straight away, no waiting on an assessor.

[AussieLandRover]

I might be naughty and get my small hobby pick hammer and make a few large ones :wasntme: