Windscreen Replacement for Multivan

[The_Hawk]

Looks like I'm in need of a new windscreen after a rock flicked up from the road and has left a nice chip and a 20cm+ crack (I'm yet to see it myself, but from the phone call I got it's going to be a replacement job).

Of course it's rain sensing so is that much harder (expensive) to replace, (2010 Multivan). Who is the recommended repairer/supplier for glass for these? (In Sydney) The insurance use O'Brien so the process to use them is very simple, but I welcome any feed black people might have on them.

[Transporter]

I'm sorry to hear that, mate. The 20cm crack does always warrant the windscreen replacement. It hurts more when it happens on the new vehicle.

[Greg Roles]

I'll be watching with interest, I did my screen this week too...it's already spreading.

Bit wary of a no name el cheapo insurance replacement....may actually want to ge genuine on this one!

[The_Hawk]

I was surprised to hear the replacement cost for the aftermarket unit, even with the rain sensing wipers, is a shade under $600. I always thought they were much more expensive.

I have booked O'Brien for later in the week, will keep you all updated on how things travel.

[Sunny43.5]

I have a crack in my work van that starts at the bottom corner of the passengers side and has travelled to almost the middle of the drivers side but it has stayed right along the bottom 15cm up from the bottom all the way accross . It has been that way for nearly 18 months I just can,t be bothered as I do a lot of out of town trips with my work and I can gaurantee that if I fit a new one it will be hit the next day . I was recently pulled over for a RBT and the guy doing the test was fine but his superior made a big deal about the crack so while he was going on about it, typicaly I forgot to use common sense and I slid down sideways onto the seat until I could just see over the dash and I said to him that yes it was dangerous from down there as that was the only position that the crack was in eye view . The young cop was laughing but the older one just grunted and said I should get it fixed any way , I drove off smiling to myself and also thinking that I should not have tested his patience . Howard PS was stone cold sober

[Greg Roles]

Ferkin classic.....

[Cousin]

Sunny I'm pretty sure it's a crack anywhere now, as the strength of the roof is impacted by the strength of the windscreen
Hence the arguement is now a crack anywhere in the screen lessens the strength in the roof
But I figure if you bother to get on your roof, worrying about a crack in the screen is just a little bit wrong priority

Hawk, when you get your van back, check your rain sensor wipers as soon as you can

The 2006 I bought a couple of years ago has an O'Brien replacement screen in it, but the rear vision mirror, with the rain sensor in it, was not sealed to the screen properly
Sometimes it works, sometimes not

I'm led to believe the new replacements screens have the sensor in them, so should overcome this problem
Does anyone know this for sure?



M

[Greg Roles]

I was of the understanding the rain sensor was just a photosensitive component in the big box that adheres to the screen, and needs a specific, bubble free bond so that it is only affected by rain drops on the screen immediately above it. The screen itself just needs to be clear. I have heard the VW screens are somehow "metallic" and the Tollway e-tag receptors have problems getting a signal through them. I think it's some sort of heat shielding.

[The_Hawk]

O'Brien claim it's the "same" but without the VW stamp on it... And don't worry about the rain sening wipers, will be the first thing I look at and check to make sure they work.

[BrianJ]

O'Briens replaced mine which had the radio areil in it, but no rain sensor. They verified which it was and the replacement was very good, as well as the workmanship and cleanliness.

Brian

[Sunny43.5]

Yes Cousin you are right about a crack any where on the screen I have been in the auto industry for 40 years and I do know about strength in relation to windscreens . But I still look at it this way If I was in an incident that was going to result in a roll over etc the windscreen is going to get cracked any way . As Laminated windscreens are made up of 2 glass layers only the outer one is affected if both layers were cracked I would do it sooner . Howard

[buzuki]

Just be careful, ive seen non genuine glass fitted and they remove the rain/light sensor holder from the old glass and sikaflex it to the new glass, chances are it will fall off in 6 months or start to lift and put an air bubble on your sensor.

Some non genuine glass come with the sensor holder already affixed.

[The_Hawk]

The new glass has a VW symbol on it so it might just be genuine after all. The job looks pretty good, no leaks or anything The rain sensor looks perfect and seems to work fine when I hose it. Will see what's what when it actually rains. As for parts falling off, the installation has a lifetime warranty, the screen itself has 12 months.

.. the only problem is one of the wipers looks like it's one notch away from sitting correctly (it's slightly up the screen rather than sitting at the bottom). It doesn't impede it's operation, but I will get that fixed ASAP.

[Greg Roles]

You do realise the wipers park at different levels every stop to prevent a line buildup?

[The_Hawk]

You do realise the wipers park at different levels every stop to prevent a line buildup?

No I didn't realise that... although I still think it's sitting too high. It should sit down in the black bit right??