Windscreen replacement
Discussion
I recently had a screen replaced in an 987 Cayman, via insurance/Autoglass. With the first screen Autoglass fitted the seals around the top corners of the windscreen didn't sit flat, it looked awful. It's just the 'trim' and the windscreen was sealed properly, but an aesthetic issue.
I raised a warranty issue and Autoglass ordered a new screen. I went to fit it and the Autoglass tech was really good and picked up that the new screen was going to have the same issue. He showed me the screen that he hadn't even fully taken out of the packaging yet, and you could see the trim/seal was just badly fitted and was obviously not going to fit flush. We agreed it was a waste of time to try fit it.
Autoglass then ordered a third screen. This was Pilkington glass (I believe the OEM manufacturer?) and it was perfect and zero issues with fitment.
To be fair to Autoglass, both their warranty team and the techs were good to deal with. The issue is simply that they are using the 'cheaper' suppliers, which seem to have quality issues.
TLDR; Insist on 'OEM' glass.
ETA: Found a photo of the problem I had. (It looks like a fitment issue, but as above, the glass was supplied looking like this before fitment.)
I raised a warranty issue and Autoglass ordered a new screen. I went to fit it and the Autoglass tech was really good and picked up that the new screen was going to have the same issue. He showed me the screen that he hadn't even fully taken out of the packaging yet, and you could see the trim/seal was just badly fitted and was obviously not going to fit flush. We agreed it was a waste of time to try fit it.
Autoglass then ordered a third screen. This was Pilkington glass (I believe the OEM manufacturer?) and it was perfect and zero issues with fitment.
To be fair to Autoglass, both their warranty team and the techs were good to deal with. The issue is simply that they are using the 'cheaper' suppliers, which seem to have quality issues.
TLDR; Insist on 'OEM' glass.
ETA: Found a photo of the problem I had. (It looks like a fitment issue, but as above, the glass was supplied looking like this before fitment.)
Edited by walamai on Wednesday 6th November 12:03
walamai said:
/clipped
/...the Autoglass tech was really good and picked up that the new screen was going to have the same issue. He showed me the screen that he hadn't even fully taken out of the packaging yet, and you could see the trim/seal was just badly fitted and was obviously not going to fit flush.
Found a photo of the problem I had. (It looks like a fitment issue, but as above, the glass was supplied looking like this before fitment.)
All OE windscreens come packed in Styrofoam, vacuum-sealed in a cellophane wrap. This can create some packing marks and usually does distort the trim stuck to the screen. But it's a minor issue; the marks usually disappear (or can be detailed off) and the mis-shaping isn't an issue because, a) they are stuck [to the glass] with precision; b) are designed to be shaped to the rebate of the windscreen frame, and c) will stay in the 'set' position provided you make full and proper use of the double-sided tape on the trim. /...the Autoglass tech was really good and picked up that the new screen was going to have the same issue. He showed me the screen that he hadn't even fully taken out of the packaging yet, and you could see the trim/seal was just badly fitted and was obviously not going to fit flush.
Found a photo of the problem I had. (It looks like a fitment issue, but as above, the glass was supplied looking like this before fitment.)
The issue you have with the windscreen in the image is that the glass is set too high. It hasn't been recessed. In doing so, the tape would normally grip and keep the glass there thus creating a chamfer sloping up to the ridge of the windscreen aperture. You can see in the image that the set height of the windscreen is too high and flush with the frame ridge.
Here's one showing the correct fitment with the trim chamfer sloping up to the ridge:
LemonTart said:
Hi Glassman
It started with a stone 'bullet hole', near the edge of the screen by the A pillar which has progressed to an 8 inch horizontal crack.
Cheers
Okay, thank you. It's a new windscreen in that case. Happy to guide you through the process regardless of who does it. Please feel free to give me a call. It started with a stone 'bullet hole', near the edge of the screen by the A pillar which has progressed to an 8 inch horizontal crack.
Cheers
FWIW - Autoglass replaced my Vantage screen recently, but I chose to go to the depot rather than a roadside visit. When I got there, the tech said he needed more info on the ancillary parts to properly fit it - apologies for the wasted visit. Rescheduled and saw same tech - 2 hours later, all done. He was proud of his efforts and TBH looks fine to me.
Glassman said:
All OE windscreens come packed in Styrofoam, vacuum-sealed in a cellophane wrap. This can create some packing marks and usually does distort the trim stuck to the screen. But it's a minor issue; the marks usually disappear (or can be detailed off) and the mis-shaping isn't an issue because, a) they are stuck [to the glass] with precision; b) are designed to be shaped to the rebate of the windscreen frame, and c) will stay in the 'set' position provided you make full and proper use of the double-sided tape on the trim.
The issue you have with the windscreen in the image is that the glass is set too high. It hasn't been recessed. In doing so, the tape would normally grip and keep the glass there thus creating a chamfer sloping up to the ridge of the windscreen aperture. You can see in the image that the set height of the windscreen is too high and flush with the frame ridge.
[...]
The packaging/shipping issues you described is what the autoglass tech also said to me. ie; that normally with correct fitting they will settle and sort themselves out. He agreed though that there seemed to be some particular issue with the glass supplied for my car. The issue you have with the windscreen in the image is that the glass is set too high. It hasn't been recessed. In doing so, the tape would normally grip and keep the glass there thus creating a chamfer sloping up to the ridge of the windscreen aperture. You can see in the image that the set height of the windscreen is too high and flush with the frame ridge.
[...]
The tech was good and took the time to show/explain the issues to me. I saw the 'problem' glass (for the 2nd screen they ordered) and the 'good' Pilkington glass (3rd screen) before they were fitted. Seeing the 'problem' glass, there was no way the adhesive in the corners was ever going to get it to sit flat. With the 'good' glass, there was still a bit of mis-shaping from the packaging as you describe, but it looked fundamentally different. And when fitted was fine.
The tech said they were going to RMA the 'problem' screens. I think I may have been unlucky to have a got screens from a bad batch. (He checked a code on both of the problem screens, and was able to identify they came from the same batch.)
I should say too, you'd quite obviously got the experience and expertise that I don't have! Just relaying my experiences.
A good outcome.
I checked my ClassicLine insurance policy and got directed to their glass replacement company, I got a quote from my local Porsche main dealership and the glass replacement company are covering all the cost minus £75 glass excess.
I am just waiting for it to be delivered to them from Germany.
I checked my ClassicLine insurance policy and got directed to their glass replacement company, I got a quote from my local Porsche main dealership and the glass replacement company are covering all the cost minus £75 glass excess.
I am just waiting for it to be delivered to them from Germany.
As there's another thread on windscreens I thought I would post an update.
Classicline insurances glass specialist said main dealer so the screen was ordered in from Germany a date booked, car taken off SORN and dropped off. Got the call all ready to collect so I got a lift back.
Paperwork printed off and shown where the car was so I thought I would check it out before I left. The plastic bit along the bottom was half fixed and other half loose and rattling. Then i had a good look around it as best you can in a dark wet car park and the rubbers at the top of the screen all look proud of the roof's leading edge.
Back into the dealership and back in the workshop fir 1.5hours until 5 mins to closing time, then they say err doesn't look right and we've looked at another 997 and it's not the same as that. You can accept it as it is or we will have to have it back in.
After a bit of persuasion they said their subcontractor will come to my house to refit.
The glass was fitted to high up.
The fitter came and refitted and it looks to be in the right place but he can't get the plastic bit to fit tight to the screen the double-sided adhesive tape isn't holding it down. So we but a small wedge until the windscreen wiper post to see if just needed to be held longer.
Nope, I now have a gap which water and general muck will get down. The photo below shows how the previous one was tight and the line of road muck along it.
Getting water were it shouldn't be is never good so i guess i am now going to have another conversation with the dips#@ts in service at the main dealer to see if they can sort it, third time lucky maybe?
Very disappointed with dealership... Should quality check work if they subcontract it and sort stuff before release.
Classicline insurances glass specialist said main dealer so the screen was ordered in from Germany a date booked, car taken off SORN and dropped off. Got the call all ready to collect so I got a lift back.
Paperwork printed off and shown where the car was so I thought I would check it out before I left. The plastic bit along the bottom was half fixed and other half loose and rattling. Then i had a good look around it as best you can in a dark wet car park and the rubbers at the top of the screen all look proud of the roof's leading edge.
Back into the dealership and back in the workshop fir 1.5hours until 5 mins to closing time, then they say err doesn't look right and we've looked at another 997 and it's not the same as that. You can accept it as it is or we will have to have it back in.
After a bit of persuasion they said their subcontractor will come to my house to refit.
The glass was fitted to high up.
The fitter came and refitted and it looks to be in the right place but he can't get the plastic bit to fit tight to the screen the double-sided adhesive tape isn't holding it down. So we but a small wedge until the windscreen wiper post to see if just needed to be held longer.
Nope, I now have a gap which water and general muck will get down. The photo below shows how the previous one was tight and the line of road muck along it.
Getting water were it shouldn't be is never good so i guess i am now going to have another conversation with the dips#@ts in service at the main dealer to see if they can sort it, third time lucky maybe?
Very disappointed with dealership... Should quality check work if they subcontract it and sort stuff before release.
LemonTart said:
As there's another thread on windscreens I thought I would post an update.
Classicline insurances glass specialist said main dealer so the screen was ordered in from Germany a date booked, car taken off SORN and dropped off. Got the call all ready to collect so I got a lift back.
Paperwork printed off and shown where the car was so I thought I would check it out before I left. The plastic bit along the bottom was half fixed and other half loose and rattling. Then i had a good look around it as best you can in a dark wet car park and the rubbers at the top of the screen all look proud of the roof's leading edge.
Back into the dealership and back in the workshop fir 1.5hours until 5 mins to closing time, then they say err doesn't look right and we've looked at another 997 and it's not the same as that. You can accept it as it is or we will have to have it back in.
After a bit of persuasion they said their subcontractor will come to my house to refit.
The glass was fitted to high up.
The fitter came and refitted and it looks to be in the right place but he can't get the plastic bit to fit tight to the screen the double-sided adhesive tape isn't holding it down. So we but a small wedge until the windscreen wiper post to see if just needed to be held longer.
Nope, I now have a gap which water and general muck will get down. The photo below shows how the previous one was tight and the line of road muck along it.
Getting water were it shouldn't be is never good so i guess i am now going to have another conversation with the dips#@ts in service at the main dealer to see if they can sort it, third time lucky maybe?
Very disappointed with dealership... Should quality check work if they subcontract it and sort stuff before release.
Sorry to hear of your experience with OPC. I guess the final job is totally dependant on the subcontractors they use. In the case of my local OPC, their windscreen work has been excellent as they use a really good independent company to fit. I am also with ClassicLine insurance and they have no problem with this type of claim. Classicline insurances glass specialist said main dealer so the screen was ordered in from Germany a date booked, car taken off SORN and dropped off. Got the call all ready to collect so I got a lift back.
Paperwork printed off and shown where the car was so I thought I would check it out before I left. The plastic bit along the bottom was half fixed and other half loose and rattling. Then i had a good look around it as best you can in a dark wet car park and the rubbers at the top of the screen all look proud of the roof's leading edge.
Back into the dealership and back in the workshop fir 1.5hours until 5 mins to closing time, then they say err doesn't look right and we've looked at another 997 and it's not the same as that. You can accept it as it is or we will have to have it back in.
After a bit of persuasion they said their subcontractor will come to my house to refit.
The glass was fitted to high up.
The fitter came and refitted and it looks to be in the right place but he can't get the plastic bit to fit tight to the screen the double-sided adhesive tape isn't holding it down. So we but a small wedge until the windscreen wiper post to see if just needed to be held longer.
Nope, I now have a gap which water and general muck will get down. The photo below shows how the previous one was tight and the line of road muck along it.
Getting water were it shouldn't be is never good so i guess i am now going to have another conversation with the dips#@ts in service at the main dealer to see if they can sort it, third time lucky maybe?
Very disappointed with dealership... Should quality check work if they subcontract it and sort stuff before release.
A point worth noting for others going down the OPC windscreen route. It is my understanding that part of their quality control process when fitting a screen is to also do a full geometry check / adjustment. This adds to the total cost and if done to a car that has had a particular geo set up it will be reset back to factory settings (whatever they are). I always ask them not to do this and only fit the screen. Which they are happy to do, so long as discussed in advance. The reasons for the geo check / adjust are for calibration of the various systems in the windscreen - radar, headlights etc. But from my experience, so long as the car is off and the key not in the ignition, the car knows no difference between the new screen and the old. So long as it is correctly fitted of course.
Thanks for thread resurrection LemonTart. As you know, my office is just down the road from you and this morning a stone chip at the base of the Taycan's windscreen has decided to fracture about 40mm. The car also has a glass roof, so I am loathe to have this done incorrectly and am currently weighing up options.
I wonder if it is better for fitting these screens if the vehicle is inside, in a warmer environment? I only say that because I know, from bitter experience, that fitting a brand new (folded up in packaging) tubeless, downhill mtb tyre is impossible in cold and I always bring the tyre indoors to warm up.
I wonder if it is better for fitting these screens if the vehicle is inside, in a warmer environment? I only say that because I know, from bitter experience, that fitting a brand new (folded up in packaging) tubeless, downhill mtb tyre is impossible in cold and I always bring the tyre indoors to warm up.
Hi Digga
HNY to you.
Yes I am sure you are correct, the seals themselves will be softer and more flexible and the sealant will set a bit quicker when warm.
Along the bottom of the screen the 997's plastic trim is held in position by 3 screw fixings with double sided tape between. It now looks like the screen is positioned correctly so i am hopeful it is just a case of the double-sided tape being reapplied when its warmer.
Having seen how screens and glass roofs are bonded into cars on production lines it is no wonder 2 guys lifting it manually struggle to replicate the original fit and finish.
Good luck with sorting the Taycan screen.
HNY to you.
Yes I am sure you are correct, the seals themselves will be softer and more flexible and the sealant will set a bit quicker when warm.
Along the bottom of the screen the 997's plastic trim is held in position by 3 screw fixings with double sided tape between. It now looks like the screen is positioned correctly so i am hopeful it is just a case of the double-sided tape being reapplied when its warmer.
Having seen how screens and glass roofs are bonded into cars on production lines it is no wonder 2 guys lifting it manually struggle to replicate the original fit and finish.
Good luck with sorting the Taycan screen.
LemonTart said:
Hi Digga
HNY to you.
Yes I am sure you are correct, the seals themselves will be softer and more flexible and the sealant will set a bit quicker when warm.
>>>Along the bottom of the screen the 997's plastic trim is held in position by 3 screw fixings with double sided tape between.<<< It now looks like the screen is positioned correctly so i am hopeful it is just a case of the double-sided tape being reapplied when its warmer.
Having seen how screens and glass roofs are bonded into cars on production lines it is no wonder 2 guys lifting it manually struggle to replicate the original fit and finish.
Good luck with sorting the Taycan screen.
Should only be one screw in the middle and a nut threaded over a stud at either end. No tape. HNY to you.
Yes I am sure you are correct, the seals themselves will be softer and more flexible and the sealant will set a bit quicker when warm.
>>>Along the bottom of the screen the 997's plastic trim is held in position by 3 screw fixings with double sided tape between.<<< It now looks like the screen is positioned correctly so i am hopeful it is just a case of the double-sided tape being reapplied when its warmer.
Having seen how screens and glass roofs are bonded into cars on production lines it is no wonder 2 guys lifting it manually struggle to replicate the original fit and finish.
Good luck with sorting the Taycan screen.
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