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Quality windshield replacement around Indianapolis?

oifish

oifish

I'm feeling extra zazzzy
Joined
Jul 30, 2014
Location
Indiana
It's time to replace my hazy, scratched to hell windshield. Does anyone know of a quality glass shop in Indianapolis that can do this? I called a local Volvo shop and they recommended Safelite or ABRA....but they also recommended a using stop leak for my blown headgasket :grrr:
 
Not in Indy, but I used safelite for my Evo. It was quality work, but it kind of depends on the person you get. They seemed to respect my car, and I respected their space while letting them know what I'd like done.
 
Positive experience with Safelite for me as well. I had the windshield replaced on my 940 about a year ago. If possible, let the technician know that you care by talking through some obthe finer points of the install.
 
lverhagen said:
If possible, let the technician know that you care by talking through some obthe finer points of the install.
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what do you mean by this?

I was planning on doing all the prep myself, like removing the panel under the windshield and the wiper arms.
 
oifish said:
what do you mean by this?

I was planning on doing all the prep myself, like removing the panel under the windshield and the wiper arms.
Click to expand...

When I had mine replaced, I was able to check in on the technician's progress and ask him questions about the install along the way. For instance, I had done a fair amount of research regarding the windshield trim clips, which occasionally seem to be difficult for installers to even find, and spoke to him about whether or not he had any replacements, and the possibility of removing the trim altogether and installing a gasket surround instead. The technician seemed to respect and appreciate the familiarity I had with the procedure and I'd like to think that had a positive effect on his work. I wasn't hovering over him while he worked, but I showed interest and understanding while letting the man do his job.

Hope that helps.
 
lverhagen said:
When I had mine replaced, I was able to check in on the technician's progress and ask him questions about the install along the way. For instance, I had done a fair amount of research regarding the windshield trim clips, which occasionally seem to be difficult for installers to even find, and spoke to him about whether or not he had any replacements, and the possibility of removing the trim altogether and installing a gasket surround instead. The technician seemed to respect and appreciate the familiarity I had with the procedure and I'd like to think that had a positive effect on his work. I wasn't hovering over him while he worked, but I showed interest and understanding while letting the man do his job.

Hope that helps.
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Yeah this. I talked cars with him while he was setting up. Let him know that I gave a crap about his trade and respected his ability to provide quality work. Grabbed him a red bull and let him work. I popped back out every now and again to just see what the process was looking like.

Interestingly enough the Evo was cake. He mentioned the 240 being a PITA.
 
When I had the windshield replaced in my old 944, I pulled the cowl and had a bag of trim clips ready to replace broken ones. I did what others said, made it clear that I cared about the car but let the guy do his job. I had a PPG window put in first and it was wavy and subpar (chinese) glass. I voiced my dissatisfaction and requested Pilkington and it turned out to be a wavy, no-name (Chinese) windshield that Pilkington distributors provide. I gave up.
 
SquareD said:
When I had the windshield replaced in my old 944, I pulled the cowl and had a bag of trim clips ready to replace broken ones. I did what others said, made it clear that I cared about the car but let the guy do his job. I had a PPG window put in first and it was wavy and subpar (chinese) glass. I voiced my dissatisfaction and requested Pilkington and it turned out to be a wavy, no-name (Chinese) windshield that Pilkington distributors provide. I gave up.
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oifish said:
With ABRA there is a selection when requesting a quote for "Premium glass". Hopefully this is something of higher quality not wavy chinese glass. I haven't heard back from them yet, but I'll contact safelite as well.

I'm guessing the clips you mention are #4 in this diagram: http://www.volvooemparts.com/a/Volv...d--rear-window-and-door-windows/GR-45985.html
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Glass shop chiming in here.

Safelite is hit or miss, I've seen some real horror shows from them, but it all depends on the tech doing the work. Keep in mind they like to give you a price but not include all the fee's (mobile, disposal, tax) until they hand you the bill once its done. I'd recommend going with a smaller shop with a set location and some accountability behind it (like the one I work at); ask for the total price with tax and any fees included.

Either way, request that they use Pilkington Glass as previously mentioned. I replaced the glass in my 240 a few months ago and ordered from Pilkington but the glass I received didn't say Pilkington on the glass or even the stickers, just that it was made in China. Now don't be too alarmed, because most of them are and the quality of that windshield was fine. There are some other Chinese brands that we use as a last resort and have only had a handful of low quality ones. The problem is sometimes its hard to notice distortion in the glass until its already installed.

With that being said the Pilkington glass is available (at least I can get it currently), so you should be good there. As for the clips, you should only need a few worst case, the tech should be able to save the majority of them. When he shows up, ask him if you could take a look at the glass, have him stand it up on his stand so you can look through it, look side to side, top to bottom while moving around so you try and detect any distortion. I can get you a straight answer on the clips this weekend when I hit the junkyard, I have several 7/9s to choose from, I'll pop the trim and check it all out for you. There's only like 3 or 4 on each side and top.
 
When I had mine replaced in my 960 due to wear and pitting, we had it done under insurance and it cost them like $300. I'm not sure what brand it is (PPG sounds familiar) but it's got the worst ripples on the passenger side; makes me feel rather bummed :(

Turns out you can order the glass from the Volvo Parts Lisle dealer for like $50 more - is that good glass usually?

EDIT: it's actually cheaper now than a few years ago - http://volvopartslisle.com/assembly/43397849/Windshield-Rear-Window-And-Door-Windows

Is this OEM glass?
 
stiligFox said:
When I had mine replaced in my 960 due to wear and pitting, we had it done under insurance and it cost them like $300. I'm not sure what brand it is (PPG sounds familiar) but it's got the worst ripples on the passenger side; makes me feel rather bummed :(

Turns out you can order the glass from the Volvo Parts Lisle dealer for like $50 more - is that good glass usually?

EDIT: it's actually cheaper now than a few years ago - http://volvopartslisle.com/assembly/43397849/Windshield-Rear-Window-And-Door-Windows

Is this OEM glass?
Click to expand...

When I called dealerships before my previously mentioned episode, they basically told me they would have no idea what would come; just that it would be from an OE supplier. So there's a good change I would have paid a bunch more for "Volvo" glass only to have a wavy Chinese Pilkington distributed windshield show up.

I almost want to find a remaining "volvo" windshield just to hoard it.
 
TempleUWS6 said:
...I can get you a straight answer on the clips this weekend when I hit the junkyard, I have several 7/9s to choose from, I'll pop the trim and check it all out for you. There's only like 3 or 4 on each side and top.
Click to expand...

Right on, thanks for the advice! Any update on the # of clips?
 
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