Goldi took a rock

[islandtime]

Passenger side windshield. About the size of a pea, but threads out to the size of a quarter. State Farm will not pay for repair (epoxy, $50), but hopefully they will cover replacement. Not sure what will happen by the time I get it to the shop tomorrow...it may spread, meaning replacement. Anyone know what the going rate is for OEM replacment? And is there any way to insist on that being the only option? I don't want just anything on Goldi!

[94mcd]

Re: Goldi took a rock

I have had TWO windshields replaced with Thunderbird emblem at around $800 each. The price was high because of the wiper heat strip that was in my 2004 even though it is not functional. I have State Farm and they paid 100% ( 0 deductible).

[SixPac]

Re: Goldi took a rock

Pat, do all '04 birds have this "wiper heat strip"?

[My Raven]

Re: Goldi took a rock

Sorry to hear about this, Elle. $800? Lord.

[94mcd]

Re: Goldi took a rock

Pat, do all '04 birds have this "wiper heat strip"?

Charlie, I don't know if they do but I was surprised to see it on the first replacement since the 2004 doesn't have that option. I suspect that was the reason for the high price. The glass shop used the numbers off of the broken one to order the new one. It may be that Ford put left over heated windshields in cars after 2002 until non heated became available. My second replacement also has the heat option.

[Leroy]

Re: Goldi took a rock

Islandtime, When I was shopping for a Tbird I came across one that was really nice but had a scratch across the drivers side of the windshield from the rubber coming off the wiper. The dealer said they could buff it out but two days later he called and said he couldn't. I asked if he would replace the windshield and he said he couldn't. I checked with a local glass shop a I was told it was $700.00 with the heated wiper docking areas and $500.00 with out, plus installation. That was as far as I went with it. I don't know if the guy was trying to rip me off or not. I figured they would know when they got the old one out. I have an 04 now and I don't know if I have heated docking areas or not, I don't drive the car in the Winter. Most good insurance companies don't even want you to drive the car with a cracked windshield, they'll send a windshield guy to your house and change it out in your own driveway. Leroy

[islandtime]

Re: Goldi took a rock

Here is the damage as of late this afternoon. By the time I get it to the shop tomorrow, I am sure it will have spread (heat factor).

And yes, I know it looks like Yoda.

[Swalker]

Re: Goldi took a rock

I just got ours done for 275.00. It was PPG so no bird emblem. OEM would have been 500.00 or more.

[BJHEN]

Re: Goldi took a rock

I need to be enlighten here! I'm asking about only '05 T-Bird.

I have not noticed a T-Bird emblem on my windshield. Where is it? Does the '05 have one?

What is the wiper heat strip? I don't recall any info in the manual about it - maybe I need to re-read the manual.

islandtime - sorry to hear about your windshield. Good luck getting it fixed.

Cliff

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Goldi took a rock

I need to be enlighten here! I'm asking about only '05 T-Bird.
I have not noticed a T-Bird emblem on my windshield. Where is it? Does the '05 have one?
What is the wiper heat strip? I don't recall any info in the manual about it - maybe I need to re-read the manual.
islandtime - sorry to hear about your windshield. Good luck getting it fixed.
Cliff

The emblem everyone's talking about is along the bottom of the windshield in the center. I noticed it before on the 03 Thunderbird. Just looked at my 05 Thunderbird and it's there on it too.

Sounds like the wiper heat strip was on one of the Ford replacement windows.

[FritsB]

Re: Goldi took a rock

Wow Elle, sorry to hear this. You sure have had your share of bad luck with the cars lately. Hope it is stil possible to fix it with compound stuff

[00mustng]

Re: Goldi took a rock

....had mine replaced with a PPG no 'Bird logo but with the wiper heater...half the price...PPG is the only manufacturer of these windshields. Because of low production numbers no one else is going to tool up for replacements...The Logo was explained to me by PPG as only being available for vehicles being built...OEM windshields were supplied without the logo because of licensing issues with Ford...but...it appears both windshields are out there....PPG was vague on how long they will be making them....and the other glass parts....

[MikeB]

Re: Goldi took a rock

Mine took a rock in the lower part of the windshield (very small) shortly after I got the car in October 2002. I had somebody come out and put the resin in the chip (used a vacuum device) and it has lasted perfectly since then. State Farm did tell me they thought I'd need a new windshield because the crack would spread but agreed to the resin repair. It hasn't spread at all and I'm happy. Possibly, the repair has worked so long because the car is a garage queen and never sees snow or cold weather and very rarely any rain.

OEM windshield glass has the original T-Bird emblem and heating strip (which DOES work on my 2002).

[redhedsmom]

Re: Goldi took a rock

Elle, so sorry to hear about your girl. I know how you feel, I got a rock the first month I owned my car, along with a smack in the butt, all in the same weekend. I'm fairly certain I don't have the fancy windshield, but the company did come out and fix a nic two years ago (lifetime warranty thingy) and it's still holding. Good luck to you.

Nikki

[Leroy]

Re: Goldi took a rock

MikeB, My 04 has the T-Bird logo on the windshield but I'm not sure about the heated areas. Can you see any wires in the glass in those areas? What turns these areas on?
Leroy