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Front passenger side triangular window shattered

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by dkelly, Mar 29, 2012.

  1. dkelly

    dkelly Member

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    This morning, driving to work the small front passenger-side triangular window ("front side fix window glass" in the service manual) shattered. I was going down the highway at 65 mph with very little traffic. The temperature was 55 degrees F. I heard a sound similar to a plastic soda bottle imploding. Since it was dark, it took a few minutes before I saw exactly what happened.

    The glass is still intact; it's just shattered. There is no apparent sign of impact from the outside.

    I have just over 60K miles on my 2010. I'm trying to figure out the best way to handle getting it repaired. Looking through the service manual, it appears I would need at least two different types of primers and an adhesive to do the job myself, plus the car would have to sit idle for 24+ hours. So it might be less trouble to get the work done by the dealer or an auto glass shop.

    I haven't gotten any quotes yet but my insurance deductible is $500. I'm assuming (hoping?) the job will cost less than that so it looks like insurance won't be of any help. I suppose I'm hoping there might be a service bulletin out there regarding this issue, but this is probably just a pipe dream.

    Has anyone had something similar happen? How did you resolve this issue?
     
  2. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    The glass costs less than $100 MSRP, so you will be well underneath $500. Probably $200.
     
  3. dkelly

    dkelly Member

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    I got the glass from the dealer for $94. I had called Safelite who quoted me $450. When I told them I could supply the glass which I had gotten for $94, they miraculously reduced their estimate to $100 for the install. I continued shopping and found a local auto glass place that quoted me $75 to do it in my driveway. I'm having the work done tomorrow; I'll report back then.
     
  4. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    Did you get a quote from the dealer for the installation?
     
  5. p00kienrayray

    p00kienrayray Active Member

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    That's interesting that it just shattered for no apparent reason.
     
  6. macman408

    macman408 Electron Guidance Counselor

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    Tempered glass tends to do that... It is made stronger by creating a lot of internal stress within the glass, but if something disrupts the balance of the stress, making it uneven, the glass shatters. This can be a tiny little nick or chip, an impact, a manufacturing defect, thermal stress, etc.
     
  7. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    I was wondering if perhaps the car had been involved in an accident at some time in its history, weakening its structure a little.
     
  8. dkelly

    dkelly Member

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    Actually, yes. I hit a small deer (coincidentally along the same stretch of highway) about a year and a half ago. I had the front bumper cover and fog light replaced. Then, just a few months ago, I was rear-ended and had the rear bumper cover replaced. Never any major damage but the recent rear-ending caused a serious jolt.
     
  9. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    Have been hit lightly on the front and rear ($600 rear and $1200 front) now I can look forward to my glass shattering--can't wait:p
     
  10. p00kienrayray

    p00kienrayray Active Member

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    I wonder if insurance companies take this into consideration when they make their adjustments.