Noises After Windshield Replacement Part Deux

[John]

In February 2001 there was a seven message thread on this newsgroup
concerning a noisy windshield on a 99 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi . A
cracked windshield had been replaced and then the windshield had to be
removed and replaced a second time because it was making popping
noises: "there were rubbing/popping noises every time the car went
over little or big bumps. Sounded like heavy rain was hitting the
windshield all the time." Replacing the windshield the second time
didn't stop the noises and the thread ended at message # 7 with no
reported resolution of the noise problem.

I have the same problem. Three weeks ago I had the windshield
replaced on a 1998 LeSabre. Now -on the bumpier side roads, not the
freeways- the windshield cracks and snaps so that it sounds like
popcorn popping. It is not wind leakage noise.

The installer I used appeared to be reputable – the same outfit does
the windshield repair/replacement work for a local Buick dealer.
Along with the windshield glass, the invoice lists the following
materials used: 2.0 Urethane, Dam, Primer, Moulding ( Top ) (
W/Retainers ). The job took about two hours total from the start
until I drove away in the vehicle.

I noticed the windshield noise immediately and returned to the shop to
complain. After an initial reaction of incredulity, the shop manager
told me to wait a few days for the urethane to cure and the noise
would probably stop. It hasn't stopped yet, leading me to suspect
that he was just "blowing smoke." I've since read about the
importance of allowing sufficient cure time for the urethane before a
car is driven. Is it possible that I drove the car too soon after the
windshield installation to allow the proper curing time for the
sealant thereby causing the noise?

I would appreciate any advise that you could give me on resolving my
problem.

Thanks.

John

[Skep]

When you got your windshield done, did you drive the car home with the
windows up and park it as such? When urethane is curing, expecially behind a
windshield, and change in pressure could result in bubbles when it is
curing.

"John" <joh...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:386c8f29.02120...@posting.google.com...

> In February 2001 there was a seven message thread on this newsgroup
> concerning a noisy windshield on a 99 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi . A
> cracked windshield had been replaced and then the windshield had to be
> removed and replaced a second time because it was making popping
> noises: "there were rubbing/popping noises every time the car went
> over little or big bumps. Sounded like heavy rain was hitting the
> windshield all the time." Replacing the windshield the second time
> didn't stop the noises and the thread ended at message # 7 with no
> reported resolution of the noise problem.
>
> I have the same problem. Three weeks ago I had the windshield
> replaced on a 1998 LeSabre. Now -on the bumpier side roads, not the
> freeways- the windshield cracks and snaps so that it sounds like
> popcorn popping. It is not wind leakage noise.
>

> The installer I used appeared to be reputable - the same outfit does

[Geoff Welsh]

When I last had a windshield replaced (at home, mobile service), they told me
to not drive the vehicle for two hours and to not roll up the windows for 24
hours.
GW

[John]

I didn't receive any precautionary driving advise. I drove the car
approximately two to two and a half hours after the job was started, so the
urethane didn't have two or more hours to cure beforehand. I drove 25 miles
home with the windows open, because there was still a solvent/paint/urethane
smell inside. The car stayed parked outside in the weather with the windows
rolled up for 11 days before I drove it again.
John

"Geoff Welsh" <gwe...@cyber.com> wrote in message
news:3DEA9373...@cyber.com...

[Skep]

What was the ambient temperature outside? The outside temperature will have
a lot to do with how fast and how well the urethane cures. A good rule of
thumb for when you have windshield work done, is to leave your windows down
at least a crack. That way the temperature of the glass will be the same on
both sides. Prevents any problems with curing. If this shop didn't give you
any cautionary messages, I wouldn't exactly call them careful about their
work.

"John" <joh...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:uumkdnh...@corp.supernews.com...

[John]

The outside temperature at the time was in the 60's and I believe it stayed
above freezing and we had no rain for a week after the windshield change.
After I got home and parked the car, I didn't leave the windows open.

I quess that my basic questions are : Has anyone had a similiar experience
with cracking noises after a windshield change and what did they do about
it; and can the windshield ever "fix itself" and the noises go away with
sufficient time?

"Skep" <a7a2...@nospamtelus.net> wrote in message
news:xpXG9.36261$fk5.3...@news0.telusplanet.net...

[pu...@webtv.net]

John, I think you are getting screwed by this glass guy/company. I'd
take it back and make them re-do the job...certainly they have some
warranty-guarantee on their craftsmanship. Everybody knows that a
windshield making odd noises shouldn't be part of the outcome from the
job. You are not at fault in this deal....they are! The next thing you
know, the windshield will start leaking water and that is another
nightmare...BTDT

Don't let them get away with this garbage!
JMO

Dave S(Texas)

[John]

Dave, I appreciate your Dutch uncle type advice. I was wondering/hoping
that there was something else to look for before insisting that the shop
replace the windshield again. I figure the more times a windshield is
removed and replaced the more chance for major screw ups - leaks, future
rust-outs etc.
I was hoping to get a response from the originator of the Feb 01 thread who
said that replacing the windshield didn't resolve his noise problem. I
guess that my only choice is to take the chance doing the job over again
with the same outfit. This time I won't move the car for 24 hours, and
maybe that will make a difference.
Thanks again.

John

<pu...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:8822-3D...@storefull-2193.public.lawson.webtv.net...

[Dave Brower]

I don't have any answers for your problem, but, my 96 Dodge Ram windshield
made loud popping or snapping noises. Very irritating. My 99 GMC Sierra 1500
also makes the noises, but not as often. Original windshields in both of
them.

Dave

"John" <joh...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:uv2lq22...@corp.supernews.com...

[John]

Just a note to bring the list up to date on my noisy windshield problem.

I returned to the glass shop for troubleshooting. The windshield was air
and soap bubble tested for leaks and a leak was found at the windshield's
bottom edge on the passenger side. This leak was patched by injecting
sealant into the area. This stopped the noises completely. I assume that
the noises had been coming from the engine compartment and were "amplified"
through the leak into the passenger compartment. All was well for about 15
minutes of driving, and then the noises came back.

So it was back to the shop again. This time the windshield was replaced -
there was no more leak testing. The windshield was cracked during
removal, so I got a new one. I've driven several hundred miles since this
repair and haven't noticed any windshield noises.

The only things different this time around verses the first were:

1. Different technician did the work.
2. Different windshield installed
3. Assembly line windshield setting pads - two approx. 1"x 1" x ź" plastic
pads that held up the bottom of the windshield glass - were removed; the
technician said they were no longer needed.
4. Car was released with "2000 mph" tape securing the windshield to the side
framing. I removed the tape the next day.

I drove the car away one hour after the installation. The technician said
that one hour was sufficient sealant curing time for the windshield to be
seat-bag deployment safe.

Thanks to everyone who responded for your advice and opinions.

John

"Dave Brower" <lone...@interl.net> wrote in message
news:cNeI9.24948$5P3.1...@newsfeed.slurp.net...

[pu...@webtv.net]

John, glad to hear you were able to 'deal' with the glass folks and got
the thing fixed correctly.

Dave S(Texas)