Arizona is the epicenter of chipped/cracked windshields. After 200K+ I finally have a cracked windshield and called around to get price and availability of OEM equivalent replacement. A few responded, but now I have anxiety. Anyone have experience with getting a new windshield installed?

 

No problems on my '88 XJS. Not sure if yours would be different.

The guy who did the job said "It was a cakewalk. Just like an old VW"

I'll mention, though, that I had removed all the stainless steel bright trim surrounding the glass. It distorts easily and thus is easily tweaked on removal. Reinstalling it, and getting a nice fit, is tricky.

Cheers
DD

 

Later cars had bonded windscreens, your car is at or about the change point. You need to ascertain which type you have before getting a quotation.

 

92/93 XJS,

Be afraid! Seriously, facelift XJS windscreen replacement can be riddled with problems.

Unlike the earlier XJS cars, the post-91 face-lift cars use a bonded windscreen laid on a mastic dam and with a fill-in rubber surround rather than a traditional windscreen seal.

The mastic shrinks and cracks over time allowing water to creep in around the flange giving rise to water leaks and considerable corrosion potential on the windscreen flange.

As a US dry-state car, yours may well be rot-free. However in the UK, I've never seen a facelift windscreen replaced without the need for considerable corrosion remediation which, in extremis, can extend into the inner wings. I'll send you pics if you like!

Also Jaguar used different thickness glass on convertibles to coupes. Be absolutely sure the fitter knows the correct spec. Dont get a fitter who has never done a facelift XJS before. You will regret it!

The last time I checked, the mastic dams were no longer available. You may have a source of them in the US. The fill-in rubber surround should be very carefully retained if its in really good condition and hasn't shrunk stretched or cracked. The quality of aftermarket ones seems very variable with some being the wrong size.

As mentioned, removal of the chrome strips is a very delicate affair. They distort easily and you'll never get them back straight.

When you remove the chromes you may start to get a feel for any flange corrosion, although much can't be seen until you fully remove the screen.

So, I would get a very experienced fitter who has done these before. Carefully remove the chromes prior and do an initial assessment. If you have ANY corrosion, plan to have a few weeks gap between screen removal and refitting to address the rust.

Make sure you definitely get the right screen. Ensure your fitter can source the mastic dam. Consider reusing your fill-in rubber if practical.

So sorry to worry you, but go into this with your eyes open.

Good luck

Paul

 

If you've got even the tiniest bubble of rust on the trailing edge of the scuttle, then you've got a serious problem. I was really lucky that I caught mine so quickly before the rust spread into the bulkhead and inner wing. Even if you can't see any bubbles, you can still have serious corrosion in the flange, particularly if it started higher up the side of the screen. Coupes are more prone to this as the drain channel behind the chromes gets blocked and the water sits in there until it rots the flange. Convertibles don't drain behind the chromes so they CAN be slightly less at risk. I've seen cars that were way worse than mine and had no external visible signs at all until the chrome strips and front wing were removed.

Paul

 

Here's some info to get you going...https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ld-fit-225124/
See post #11.

 

I too live in Arizona. I have a 1993 XJS convertible. I have had two windshields replaced by Safelight Auto Glass. I made an appointment at their repair facility on 20th Street, off Pinnacle Road in North Phoenix. They had no problem finding the windshields and completing the work. Just as if I had taken my Buick Enclave in for a new windshield (It is on it's first replacement).

Don't get hung up on OEM quality and all that stuff. Safelilight's windshields fit fine and their techs know what to do. If your rubber seal is old and cracking you can get a replacement from Terry's Jaguar in Kalamazoo, Michigan or other reliable Jag parts houses.

I highly recommend you take it to one of Safelight's shops rather than using their remote service. By using the shop, they'll take your XJS into a cooler repair area than if you were to do it outside. The shop manager and other more experienced techs work out of the shop rather than mobile units so chances are there will be plenty of expertise available when the repair is done.

By the way. I have Haggerty insurance on my XJS with glass coverage. My XJS' windshield replacement was covered by my insurance.

Godd Luck..

 

wow I was just going to reply about having my 93's windshield done at Safelite only to be beaten to the punch! Lol! Just had mine done on Saturday. They had to order it in, but it seems like it was a perfect fit. They mentioned about trying to save the rubber surround, but that if they couldn't, they had a universal that would look pretty close. My rubber was dusty and basically dry rotting, so I said that I didn't have a problem with them getting rid of the old stuff and just using the new. I think it looks really good. My car was an Arizona car too, and the windshield was covered in pits. My comprehensive insurance also covered it 100%! They said they didn't see any rust when they had the windshield out. Phew!

and here is the text that is on the windshield if anyone is interested 😁

 

Good to know. My 94 coupe needs a windshield too

 

You Arizona boys seem so lucky! The chances of a facelift screen needed to be replaced in the UK without the need for corrosion repair is almost unheard of!

Mind you, most windscreen removal here is necessary because of the water leaks caused by corrosion, so I guess it's self-fulfilling!

Paul

 

That was one of my great concerns, that they would pull the windshield and I would get a call about rot. I was kinda looking forward to driving it home without a windshield installed though lol. Also I was ready to do the patchwork just in case

 

Hi! I'd love to know how this worked out for your car...did you go to Safelite or find another solution? Thanks.