When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Is OEM the way to go? Longo Lexus shows a replacement windshield as $385.78 for JUST the windshield, no clips/molding but a shop that I've been going to says to go aftermarket since there isn't much difference between OEM and aftermarket and I'll save a lot of $$. What would you do? I haven't decided to go through insurance or not.
I've replaced my windshield about 4 times in the last 10 years. To be honest, the OEM windshield has been the best quality. My insurance doesn't cover autoglass replacement so I also paid out of pocket, which was definitely a lot cheaper (under $200), but on all of the windshields that I've had that were not OEM, there's spots of small rippling. It doesn't bother me a ton since the current ripples aren't in my line of site, but its something to point out. You might luck out and find an aftermarket windshield that doesn't have it... one of out the 4 did had perfect clarity throughout.
I've replaced my windshield about 4 times in the last 10 years. To be honest, the OEM windshield has been the best quality. My insurance doesn't cover autoglass replacement so I also paid out of pocket, which was definitely a lot cheaper (under $200), but on all of the windshields that I've had that were not OEM, there's spots of small rippling. It doesn't bother me a ton since the current ripples aren't in my line of site, but its something to point out. You might luck out and find an aftermarket windshield that doesn't have it... one of out the 4 did had perfect clarity throughout.
Hm... makes me just want to go with the OEM one. I'll call the insurance tomorrow and see if they'll cover it. I'm also annoyed because I got Huper Optik tint on the windshield, not cheap to replace.
There are films available that are optically transparent, but block infrared. If my cars didn't live in a garage, I would have that kind of film on all my windshields to extend the dash's service life.
I had MY11 windshield replaced by Longo 3yrs ago. If you place the order through the parts dept, then you get the online discount, and the body shop will send someone over with a cart to pick them up. I had an excellent experience with Longo body shop. Highly recommended.
Here was my parts list:
56101-53954-8N = Windshield Glass
89944-30020 = Rain Sensor Tape
75551-53020 = Side Molding
75552-53020 = Side Molding
75533-53040 = Upper Molding
75545-53011 = Reveal Molding Clip
56117-64010 = Dam
I put together kits for windshield replacement - all the necessary parts in a bag short of the glass itself - so when the time comes, I'm not sitting around waiting for parts even one day. I have:
89944-30020 = Tape, Rain Sensor 75551-53020 = MOULDING, ROOF DRIP SIDE FINISH, RH 75552-53020 = MOULDING, ROOF DRIP SIDE FINISH, LH
Dorman 700-644 Windshield Molding Clip (pack of 10 from Amazon) in place of 75545-53010 CLIP, WINDSHIELD OUTSIDE MOULDING, NO.1. Get the Dorman piece and save a lot. Get something other than the Dorman piece or the Lexus part and you may have problems. I did for sure with another brand of supposedly compatible clips. They refused to stay clipped.
Most glass places will not replace these things and will typically just glue the old clips back in place and tell you to let the RTV set up before removing the blue tape they use to hold the side molding in place. That's not what you really want. I do not know if the shop who did my windshield replaced anything at all beside the glass. I went behind them and put the new rain tape, clips, and mouldings after I got home (this all happened while in Charlotte, 3 hours from home).
FWIW, I got Pilkington glass because it was readily available. It is the same brand as OEM, but it is not OEM quality. There is a definite bend in the optics on the passenger's side near the top. It has zero impact while driving because it is behind the rearview from the driver's perspective. My wife might see it more than I do because she is shorter, but I never see it unless I pull back and look for it. I'm not dissatisfied with the glass, but I would choose OEM next time for sure.
I put together kits for windshield replacement - all the necessary parts in a bag short of the glass itself - so when the time comes, I'm not sitting around waiting for parts even one day. I have:
89944-30020 = Tape, Rain Sensor 75551-53020 = MOULDING, ROOF DRIP SIDE FINISH, RH 75552-53020 = MOULDING, ROOF DRIP SIDE FINISH, LH
Dorman 700-644 Windshield Molding Clip (pack of 10 from Amazon) in place of 75545-53010 CLIP, WINDSHIELD OUTSIDE MOULDING, NO.1. Get the Dorman piece and save a lot. Get something other than the Dorman piece or the Lexus part and you may have problems. I did for sure with another brand of supposedly compatible clips. They refused to stay clipped.
Most glass places will not replace these things and will typically just glue the old clips back in place and tell you to let the RTV set up before removing the blue tape they use to hold the side molding in place. That's not what you really want. I do not know if the shop who did my windshield replaced anything at all beside the glass. I went behind them and put the new rain tape, clips, and mouldings after I got home (this all happened while in Charlotte, 3 hours from home).
FWIW, I got Pilkington glass because it was readily available. It is the same brand as OEM, but it is not OEM quality. There is a definite bend in the optics on the passenger's side near the top. It has zero impact while driving because it is behind the rearview from the driver's perspective. My wife might see it more than I do because she is shorter, but I never see it unless I pull back and look for it. I'm not dissatisfied with the glass, but I would choose OEM next time for sure.
Just picked up a 2008 that recently had the windshield replaced. Noticed the passenger side molding, at the base of the windshield, was loose due to a broken clip. The clip is so brittle it broke again when I went to touch it for the photo. I looked through all the parts on this thread, but can't figure out exactly which clip this is - it doesn't look like the blue Dorman 700-644 or the Lexus clips. Can't even tell what it is using the exploded parts diagram, anyone know what this is (or if the installer used a random / wrong clip)? Thanks!
Just picked up a 2008 that recently had the windshield replaced. Noticed the passenger side molding, at the base of the windshield, was loose due to a broken clip. The clip is so brittle it broke again when I went to touch it for the photo. I looked through all the parts on this thread, but can't figure out exactly which clip this is - it doesn't look like the blue Dorman 700-644 or the Lexus clips. Can't even tell what it is using the exploded parts diagram, anyone know what this is (or if the installer used a random / wrong clip)? Thanks!
The clip there is part of the rail/molding, you need to replace it. While doing so, you'll likely break clips and need to replace those as well.
05-11-23, 04:18 PM
Windshield Replacement - OEM or Aftermarket?
