[ForesterBill]

Safelite is going to replace my windshield on my 6-month old Forester with OEM glass that they ordered from the dealer. (I don't have Eyesight). Since the vehicle is so new I'm concerned about them messing something up, like breaking cowling or A-pillar clips or scratching the top of the dash. Looking at where the top of the dash meets the inside of the windshield, I see where there is what looks like a piece of black foam. How do they keep from tearing that up when they cut out the old windshield? Anything else I should be concerned about or watch for?

 

[spooky1]

Tell them to be carefull not to break the clips on the plastic valance pieces on the bottom outside corners of the windshield. Otherwise rattles like sleet hitting windshield when at highway speed.

 

[regajohn]

Well, you could take it to the dealership for replacement, as they SHOULD know what they are doing ... no matter who does the work, I would take photos of the areas that you are concerned about and voice your concerns with the tech or their supervisor prior to he / she commencing the work.

You didn't say what happened to your windshield, but assuming it wasn't a giant Rock, I would complain to SoA. My sister's Outback had 2 windshields crack within the first 3-4 months ... and SoA paid for both replacements. If you Google"Subaru windshield defects" or "Subaru fragile windshields" etc., there are many complaints.

 

[subatron]

In case you haven't seen this, here's a sticky that could be helpful:

https://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f322/2014-windshield-replacement-notes-read-if-having-replaced-431737/

Mike

 

[Maru]

I live in a part of the country where there aren't very many Subarus at all. So I wouldn't feel too good about getting my windshield replaced here as I would in Colorado or Arizona. I would prep my vehicle before they get there by removing the cowling, clips and mirror a head of time for my own peace of mind. There's a foam strip between the dashboard and windshield so it would be a good idea to have some foam weather stripping on hand to replace what's there from the factory.

https://youtu.be/_WbOQA_16Rc

The last windshield I had replaced by Satellite on my Honda wasn't great. They broke a couple of the clips on my cowling and the aftermarket glass had a noticeable optical distortion in the center of the glass.

 

[ForesterBill]

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions and the links to the video and sticky thread. Much appreciated.

 

[ForesterBill]

I was a little nervous about having Safelite replace the windshield on my six month old Forester despite not having EyeSight. After all Safelite cracked it while attempting to repair a very small chip. So when I learned that the local Subaru dealer recently began replacing windshields I cancelled my Safelite install appointment and had the windshield replaced today at Tucson Subaru. They use a new sealant that is drivable in 30 minutes. Both Safelite and Tucson Subaru were able to get the OEM dealer glass almost immediately so no shortages here in southern Arizona.