windscreen replacement

[Nik_Codling]

Hi All,

Last week a stone was flicked up while travelling on the motorway, and it hit my windscreen ('89 300CE). Made a hell of a bang! I got a 5p sized star in the windscreen, fortunately just above the wiper, so out of my line of sight.

Driving home from work last night and within about three miles a crack head spread right across the screen! I'm guessing (a) this constitues an MoT failure? and (b) it ought to be replaced from a safety point of view?

My question is can anyone recommend a good place to get the screen replaced? I've heard some horrow stories about reputable nationwide chains making a mess of bonded-in screens, and having not had to replace one before I don't know where to go (I'm not going to be ripped off by an MB dealer!). If anyone reading this lives in the Chichester/Portsmouth area, and can recommend anywhere I'd be glad to hear from you.

Cheers,

Nik

 

[Spike]

Just be careful....

look at the thread below from last week.

http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=801

 

[dave elcome]

Just a point here, i have read Spikes link and it certainly is the stuff that induces nightmares, BUT and its a big BUT.

I used to work in a garage as a mechanic for some 17 years, and in all that time we never fitted our own screens, this type of work was always farmed out. My point here is that i would suspect that your average MB dealer would do the same. On that point i have to nip into my local one today, i'll enquire and post the reply.

 

[John Turner]

I had my windscreen replaced last week - second time in one year! Autoglass did a neat job at their workshop on first one, leaving the car clean but did damage the A post interior panels with their cheese wire, which I was not happy about. These were replaced without quibble, but the parts took over a month to arrive. They did seem to know how to fit them too. My reasonably new window was then hit by a stone or bolt, causing a crack to develop across the window. Since (1) window provides great structural strength to car (2) large crack is MOT failure (repairs can be done up to 40mm and 15mm in main viewing zone)and (3) window could shatter/collapse if hit again -even by your own air bag- it is best to replace immediately. This time, I had the job done by a small independent firm at the dealership during a service, because I did not want damage from Autoglass again. He did a good neat watertight job, with just a little damage to an A post interior panel, a few scratches on the speaker adjacent to the A post. Having seen the major job these are to fit, I can see why some damage can occur, and it only took a few minutes to touch up - I think that he had. A new windscreen makes an enormous difference to vision - it is amazing how small scratches and nicks reduce clarity without you realising it.

 

[Swazi280]

If you're following a big truck, or see one coming past, and you suspect flying debris might be in the offing (can you say, "dirt road"?) it can be remarkably effective to ask your passenger to press their palm against the inside of the windscreen.

Apparently, cracking is symptomatic of the dissipation of the kinetic energy of the stone and a nice soft hand absorbs it much more effectively.

I believe that some 14 year-old made a pile manufacturing little gadgets that sit on the dashboard.. but I wouldn't know where to find one.

Of course, you can't always implement the palm trick if (a) you are alone, driving a manual and unendowed with gorilla-proportioned arms or (b) the stone is a surprise, freak occurrence on a bare highway. Two weeks after you've bought the car. Dammit.

It is also ineffective against larger projectiles; a friend of mine was following a truck in her Audi and received a frozen chicken by airmail.. did more than crack the screen, I can tell you.

 

[dave elcome]

Just a point here, i have read Spikes link and it certainly is the stuff that induces nightmares, BUT and its a big BUT.

I used to work in a garage as a mechanic for some 17 years, and in all that time we never fitted our own screens, this type of work was always farmed out. My point here is that i would suspect that your average MB dealer would do the same. On that point i have to nip into my local one today, i'll enquire and post the reply.

I went into the local stealers today, and enquired re the above, it would apperar that they have certain members of staff who have been MB trained to fit the screens, i have to admit i was surprised by this, but stand corrected.

 

[Nik_Codling]

windscreen

Thanks for your replies everyone. I unfortunately will be having to pay for the replacement, as I'm not fully comp, but I've had a few quote coming in around £200ish, so not too bad. Probably get it done in the next week or so by an Autoglass approved place in Portsmouth.

Cheers,

Nik