Thread: Windscreen replacement

Just to complete the information. I went and bought the proper clips from LR. Cost $30.08 for 10. What has really annoyed me was the car went to get a service at a non dealer service centre, but one recommended here. They advised me that the screen needed replacement because of cracks that had appeared after my last trip. When I picked up the car, the shroud over the rear vision mirror fell off when going home. I gave up trying to fit it because I didnt want to be responsible if I broke it. When I went back, they took over one hour to try and fit it, putting dirty hand marks all over my roof liner, grinding away bits of the shroud trying to make it fit and still failing. I ended up just doing it myself as it appears there is a technique to fitting it. Then the clip debarcle. What also upset me was the two locating pins on the "a" pillar cover on both sides had been snapped off, and they had used only two non genuine clips (top and bottom) to hold the cover in place. All the holes were exposed so water would have eventually leaked inside the body. I have learnt a valuable lesson. Sometimes it is better to take the car to people who respect that you have bought an expensive piece of machinery and as such do not treat it like some sort of disposable car ie Mazda, Hyundai etc. (dont worry I own both of these as well). Next time I will go to a dealer, pay the premium and see if the service is better. I wont name the company as I am unsure of legalities but it is located in Bentleigh East Victoria.

Over the past 5 years I have had two windscreens replaced - the last 2 weeks ago - both done by O'Briens - one at their shop and the other on my front lawn. Both windscreens were under insurance and both were the genuine Optikool screens - no issues.

When installing both screens the technicians had new clips and knew of the LR tech advice about sealing the clips against the pillar. Once I picked up the car two weeks ago I immediately drove from Canberra to Newcastle when the floods were on in Newcastle - ran into heavy rain from about Goulburn to Newcastle and not one drop into the cabin.

So if the techs know their job all should be good.

Garry

Originally Posted by garrycol

Over the past 5 years I have had two windscreens replaced - the last 2 weeks ago - both done by O'Briens - one at their shop and the other on my front lawn. Both windscreens were under insurance and both were the genuine Optikool screens - no issues.

When installing both screens the technicians had new clips and knew of the LR tech advice about sealing the clips against the pillar. Once I picked up the car two weeks ago I immediately drove from Canberra to Newcastle when the floods were on in Newcastle - ran into heavy rain from about Goulburn to Newcastle and not one drop into the cabin.

So if the techs know their job all should be good.

Garry

yes, sounds like having techpeople who know what they are doing is the main obstacle. Mine is 4 years old now and I have winced on more than one occasion hearing a stone bounce off of the windshield, so I'm sure I will need a new one to get a road worthy certificate upon sale in a year or so. Very useful thread, thanx to all.

Shannon's will replace your screen but not with genuine. They will send you to O'Brien with whom they have a contract. O'Briens won't supply genuine under that contract, but. you can pay more. They say there is no difference, and to be fair there may not be, but I don't think it's genuine Optikoool. I did not like being told I HAD to use O'Brien, because as is evident from these posts, there skill varies!
Going back to my previous insurer next renewal (4x4 Insurance) where I just sent the receipt, no problems.

I had a clause added to my D4 insurance to specify genuine windscreen replacement.
Given my D4 has an OEM heated windscreen a genuine replacement is probably the only option, but I wanted to be sure.
Fingers crossed, no need to test that clause yet.

It sounds like it may be worth testing a windscreen replacement technician on their knowledge of the process for a D4 before they start the job.

Hi, we had our D4 windscreen replaced by a regional dealer with a genuine screen. The dealer let the job to O briens who did nt replace the a pillar clips and tried to glue the a pillars with silicone. They came off. Home dealer said clips usually break and should be replaced with screen, which they did repace. All good now

I wouldn’t worry about the Opticool. All that means is it ‘may’ have up to a 10% tint in the interlayer. In Australia, it effectively does nothing for heat control. 10% is virtually invisible unless you hold a sheet of white paper behind the glass.
I would be more concerned that the sensors work as expected.
Pilkington would be one of the best glass manufacturers in the world. They make OEM and aftermarket glass on the same production line. The only difference is the label on the glass.

I'm a rock magnet. I have had genuine replacements, OEM replacements and after market replacements. Can't tell the difference between any of them.

When O'Brien said they were going to fit an after market screen after the latest rock incident. I said, no way - but they unpacked it and gave me a chance to inspect it. I couldn't fault it so gave it the thumbs up.

Having said that, have a friend with an after market screen in his D4. It's a horror with visible lines of distortion in the vertical plane. So there must be good after market ones and bad after market ones out there.