Another bloody Cracked windscreen

[Otter Spotter]

Currently heading slowly up to Aberdeen, and stone chip created a 6 inch crack in windscreen, the 2nd one in 6 weeks, now trying to get AutoGlass to sort it before we leave mainland Scotland as I don’t see the sense them sending a new screen up to Shetland.
SWMBO thinks that because AutoGlass recycle all their glass, our windscreen must be made of 2nd hand glass and is rubbish

 

[BusyBuilder]

Lots of areas have been 'dressed' with tar/chippings, try riding a motorcycle on it with piles of the stuff in the road.

 

[Lenny HB]

Currently heading slowly up to Aberdeen, and stone chip created a 6 inch crack in windscreen, the 2nd one in 6 weeks, now trying to get AutoGlass to sort it before we leave mainland Scotland as I don’t see the sense them sending a new screen up to Shetland.
SWMBO thinks that because AutoGlass recycle all their glass, our windscreen must be made of 2nd hand glass and is rubbish

Insist on an OEM screen that's what most of us do with A Class vans as aftermarket screens are known to be a poor fit.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Insist on an OEM screen that's what most of us do with A Class vans as aftermarket screens are known to be a poor fit.

The last screen fits fine, it’s just the fact that they cannot take any sort of impact.

 

[CamperJack]

Lots of areas have been 'dressed' with tar/chippings, try riding a motorcycle on it with piles of the stuff in the road.

I hate it when they do that. It's a idea. And I have nearly come off a motorbike on it!

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[CazPaul]

Does OEM stand for original equipment manufacturer?

 

[The general]

Lots of areas have been 'dressed' with tar/chippings, try riding a motorcycle on it with piles of the stuff in the road.

Better than worn out roads ? Yes the sweeper needed drive Vechile’s as slow as possible otherwise chippings around brake discs etc

 

[gus-lopez]

Does OEM stand for original equipment manufacturer?

Yes

 

[Shrimp]

When the fitters did our screen they were pleased it went in so well, wasn’t an OEM!

 

[Old Gibber]

How did you get blood on it? Hit a bird?

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[BusyBuilder]

Better than worn out roads ? Yes the sweeper needed drive Vechile’s as slow as possible otherwise chippings around brake discs etc

Not really as they don't fill in the cracks and holes, just tar and chip over them, then they are disguised.

 

[Otter Spotter]

How did you get blood on it? Hit a bird?

No it’s my way of showing my frustration

 

[Drexl]

Link to my post ref ADAS / heat reflecting windscreen replacement.
Autoglass ! Absolutely shocking service......

 

[pelican]

Better than worn out roads ? Yes the sweeper needed drive Vechile’s as slow as possible otherwise chippings around brake discs etc

Good info thanks

 

[gpat]

Insist on an OEM screen that's what most of us do with A Class vans as aftermarket screens are known to be a poor fit.

When the fitters did our screen they were pleased it went in so well, wasn’t an OEM!

Surely there is no such thing as an OEM screen as A class motorhome converters don't make windscreens do they?

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[varaizian]

Insist on an OEM screen that's what most of us do with A Class vans as aftermarket screens are known to be a poor fit.

Hello Lenny, I remembered this thread when looking or someone to repair our chipped screen on a Pilote Galaxy 600 A Class and demanded an OEM screen as suggested but the principle problem encountered here in France is that Carglass, same as Autoglass in UK and our insurer's partner, will not repair A Class vehicles. Nor will Mondial Parebrise. However I have found a small specialist company called Help Parabrise who are now on the case. It might interest others who are on their travels and don't have the luxury of trawling through internet sites or are not French readers / speakers. It is a smallish operation compared to the others but that might actually help. The technical contact on the phone did speak some English too when I froze up. I'll let you know how we get on!

 

[Verteuil Man]

Surely there is no such thing as an OEM screen as A class motorhome converters don't make windscreens do they?

I had a chip done 8n the Hymer A Class and the chap that came was a guy who specialised in truck windscreens. In the Midlands there is 9nly 6 of them. He said that if the screen needed replacing only specify a Hymer one (OEM). He said The look a like ones a pig to fit and generally pop out at the cornets.

He was Autoglass and it was excellent service.

 

[rb62]

Surely there is no such thing as an OEM screen as A class motorhome converters don't make windscreens do they?

So they get their parts from specific manufacturers

 

[EuroTrotters]

Our frankia had to have 3, 2007 model year.

This old Hymer, still the original 2000 MY

 

[Otter Spotter]

Update spoke to AutoGlass 3 times now, they have passed me on to the concierge team who are supposed to call me with details of workshop on Shetland who will do the glass replacement. No call yet so tomorrow I will be taking to my insurers and see if I can sack AutoGlas, if I can arrange the work myself locally and insurer still pay bill less £100 excess.

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[georgio]

Got mine done up Boothtown, 180 quid day after.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Got mine done up Boothtown, 180 quid day after.

How far from Lerwick in Shetland is that ?

 

[georgio]

How far from Lerwick in Shetland is that ?

About 600 miles back to halifax

 

[Winger]

Surely there is no such thing as an OEM screen as A class motorhome converters don't make windscreens do they?

My A class Pilote had a new screen fitted before I bought it and Pilote is clearly etched in the glass so they must be about

 

[Otter Spotter]

About 600 miles back to halifax

Georgia, your not much help ! We will not be back near Halifax for another 5 weeks at least

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[uzsnowdrop]

Currently heading slowly up to Aberdeen, and stone chip created a 6 inch crack in windscreen, the 2nd one in 6 weeks, now trying to get AutoGlass to sort it before we leave mainland Scotland as I don’t see the sense them sending a new screen up to Shetland.
SWMBO thinks that because AutoGlass recycle all their glass, our windscreen must be made of 2nd hand glass and is rubbish

Had two small chips mended by Autowindscreens ( not autoglass) then NEXT DAY stone flew up causing massive crack . Bugger.
V happy with Autowindscreens service.

 

[Otter Spotter]

I am afraid there’s not much choice on Shetland

 

[Otter Spotter]

Update.
No response from AutoGlass still, so I have spoken to Windscreen repair in Lerwick who quoted £568, so now waiting for Caravanguard to agree estimate and I can go ahead and get the screen replaced here in Shetland.
Caravanguard confirm Windscreen claim does not effect my NCB in any way nor will it mean an increase in future premiums. I may end up paying additional premium as 3.5 years ago when I first insured the van we agreed 11000 miles annual mileage and I have done a total of 38152 miles.
discrepancy caused by we used to have 2 vehicles now only the van.

 

[MacroMad]

The last screen fits fine, it’s just the fact that they cannot take any sort of impact.

There are various reasons why a screen cracks from being hit by a stone.
The most susceptible part of a screen (a modern bonded screen) is the edge, the "Black Band".
This is where the glass is glued to the body, the tiniest pin prick (and i mean tiny) can be the starting point for a crack.
Most drivers are unaware that they have been hit until the crack appears.
The best way to see if a crack has been caused by a stone is to get a fine point ballpoint pen and follow the crack to where it starts, if the pen finds a place where it stops, that is where it was hit, and it can be a tiny mark.
The black band is susceptible because any movement in the body will cause the screen to flex and when that happens any weakness, ie a stone chip, will start a crack.
You can take a hit with big stones to the vision area of a screen (bulls eye) and they never crack, they can do but in a lot of cases they wont unlike a stone chip in that black band.
The black band serves several functions, it is a obscuration band, hides the mucky mess of the adhesive on the aperture.
Keeps out the harmful rays from the sun breaking down the adhesive.
Also when "primed" with the adhesive primer it activates with the adhesive to bond the black band and adhesive together.
Windscreens are incredibly strong, the curve in the screen does that, but any weak point like a stone chip will start a crack when jacking the vehicle up unevenly, putting just one side up on the kerb, going over potholes in the road.
There are so many reasons why a screen will crack, poor screen installation is the last reason a screen will crack, it is after all sat on a bed of soft adhesive and left to "cure" and while curing it is under no stress at all.
That is not to say a screen cannot "stress crack" because they can, there will be a reason for that but i would like to go and watch some tv now so that will have to wait.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Forgot to update this,still not heard anything from AutoGlass! But Lerwick Autobodies have sorted it, new screen fitted. Amazing that Autobodies could not be bothered to even contact me, but L/A sourced and had transported up to Shetland a new screen and fitted during our holiday in Shetland.
I cannot be bothered contacting AutoGlass again to ask them how they are getting on with my new screen, but I have told my Insurance company and suggested they reconsider they choice of suppliers!
Still Insurer is still paying for windscreen, so no real loss.

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