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Author Topic: A question of windscreens........  (Read 6644 times)

K80POO

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A question of windscreens........
« on: May 10, 2012, 11:16:50 PM »

Not on my Smart, but on the S-max that we have!

We had to have the windscreen replaced end of October last year due to a crack, and then that was replaced the following week as it leaked!  The car hasn't done that much mileage since, and has been sat SORN'd for the last couple of months as I have enjoyed the Smart and husband has been away, so you can't drive 2 cars can you?

Just taxed it as he is home soon, and the damn thing has another crack in the windscreen.  It is halfway up and runs from the side out about 5 inches and then drops and runs along lower.

The $1,000,000 is how on earth has the windscreen cracked when it hasn't gone anywhere, and there is no stone chip there either?

No damage apart from the crack, and looks like a twist in it almost in the glass as not straight through like it has been under strain and given way.   :(

Oh well, Autoglass will be replacing number 3 and at over £1000 each, glad it is on their warranty and not my insurance!
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Kate :)

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Problemchild

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Re: A question of windscreens........
« Reply #1 on: May 10, 2012, 11:38:33 PM »

it can only be fitted wrong/badly.......

JJ

K80POO

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Re: A question of windscreens........
« Reply #2 on: May 10, 2012, 11:51:38 PM »

It is what I am guessing - we shall see if Autoglass try and squirm out of another windscreen!
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Kate :)

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CrazyG

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Re: A question of windscreens........
« Reply #3 on: May 11, 2012, 12:10:22 AM »

If you (or hubby) are not a member of a Ford website, have a look
on any/all that you can find and see if the windscreen problem is
a common issue/fault. Perhaps you could write/e-mail HonestJohn
at the Daily Mail (their motoring expert...and he is good) and tell
him of your plight/problems. He may well know of it being an issue
or whatever.
It might not be a fitting problem but a design fault. It's well worth
investigating anyway. 
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Big Dunc

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Re: A question of windscreens........
« Reply #4 on: May 11, 2012, 03:15:08 AM »

The most likely thing that will put a lot of stress on the glass is if it doen not quite line up with the apperture (hole) it fits in.  This would also be consistent with one of the screens leaking.  One possible cause for this is if the car is slightly twisted after a previous accident repair.  If you are worried, get a full body alignmement check done (they normaly measure the distance between diagonaly opposite key points, such as suspension mounts).

However, dont panic.  I consider it far more likely that your faveroute glass replacement specialist has had its own (cheaper) batch of screens made, rather than buying them off Ford, and they are not quite dimensionaly correct.

When the bloke comes to fit the screen, ask if he has to do a lot of S Max screens recently.  Ask whether it is a genuine ford screen (I would expect it to have a small ford logo on it, or words to the effect, "made by XXX for Ford", which he may or may not be able to point out to you).

If the original replacement was done on your insurance, and the next new screen fails, I would contact your insurers and explain that as (by then) you have been through four screens, then either the fitters are incompetent, or the product is sub standard.  EIther way, would they (your insurers) be prepared to pay for the next replacement to be supplied by and fitted at a Ford main dealer body shop.

Another reason for the screen cracking, is if the edge of it is chipped before or during fitting.  You may not be able to see this after fitting as the edge of the glass will be out of sight.  Watch the bloke fit it, and while the screen is out, have a really good look at the paint where the screen goes in.  If this is damaged, it may indicate poor previous fitting.
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Fox

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Re: A question of windscreens........
« Reply #5 on: May 11, 2012, 04:50:36 PM »

I had this problem on my forfour.

It's a case of bad fitting, possibly due to sub-prime product or being in the wrong atmospheric conditions.

Take photos right away and show that there's no impact marks for the crack.

Some cars actually use the windscreen as a structural element and the stress on them is high. If they aren't seated correctly then problems can occur.

The glues and sealants take a certain amount of time and certain atmospheric conditions to work so if these are wrong or aren't put in correctly then the screen won't be fitted right and it can be stressed incorrectly and fail - or indeed just leak.

All of Big Dunc and everyone else's advice I agree with.
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Re: A question of windscreens........
« Reply #6 on: May 13, 2012, 01:54:59 PM »

Good luck with it.

I'd personally add that autoglass are, to my mind, the halfords of glass repair. I had a quarter light replaced by them at a cost of £240 about 7 years ago. Then got quoted on a pug windscreen at over £400.

Webt elsewhere and paid £100 for a sterling job.

I hate these big companies with their over inflated prices. Just fat cats getting bigger whilst paying their staff the minimum they can to get the work done.
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K80POO

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Re: A question of windscreens........
« Reply #7 on: May 13, 2012, 07:07:57 PM »

I will let you know what happens - either way they are getting told that they will replace it under warranty  >:(
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Kate :)

New to Smart, should have got one years ago!