[bruce59]

Hi All,

The front windshield on my 2017 Volt incurred a small pit today from a stone impacting it while I was driving on the highway today, which got me to thinking. It's only a matter of time until I'll need to replace my front windshield, and I notice that there's a prominent black box (presumably for OnStar) beside the rear view mirror, both of which are mounted to the windshield. There's a narrow "black mesh" pattern on the windshield, a bit like a decal, surrounding the OnStar box.

Have any of you replaced a windshield on your 2016 or 2017 Volt yet? And if so, was the replacement "like new" in appearance, particularly with regard to remounting the OnStar box and rear view mirror?

Any advantage in having this done by a Chevy dealer, or will any competent windshield replacement company do just fine? With my previous cars (VW, Mazda), non-dealer replacements were fine. This just seems potentially a bit more complicated or fussy getting it "just right".

Thanks.

Bruce

 

[TSquare]

If all you have is a small pit in the glass, try one of those windshield repair kits. They do an excellent job of filling the pit mark and will keep it from turning into a crack. Most pits will become nearly invisible.
The black box mounted to the windshield is not Onstar. It is the camera for the front collision avoidance system. I believe that there are also the receivers for the TPMS and the fobs.

 

[wws]

A dealer will generally farm it out to a glass shop. So eliminate the middle man and ask them which glass shop they use. As TSquare says, have it looked at before it turns into a major crack. They can fill the chip and often make the repair invisible. Also note that many car insurance companies will pay 100% of the repair.

I have a 20 y/o Suburban that picked up a couple of chips 19 years ago. Had a shop repair them. Although they are a little noticeable if I pointed them out, they have not changed at all - 140k miles later.

 

[turboguy327]

Call safelite. They can repair it with some pretty good tools.

 

[Joe67]

Hi All,

The front windshield on my 2017 Volt incurred a small pit today from a stone impacting it while I was driving on the highway today, which got me to thinking. It's only a matter of time until I'll need to replace my front windshield, and I notice that there's a prominent black box (presumably for OnStar) beside the rear view mirror, both of which are mounted to the windshield. There's a narrow "black mesh" pattern on the windshield, a bit like a decal, surrounding the OnStar box.

Have any of you replaced a windshield on your 2016 or 2017 Volt yet? And if so, was the replacement "like new" in appearance, particularly with regard to remounting the OnStar box and rear view mirror?

Any advantage in having this done by a Chevy dealer, or will any competent windshield replacement company do just fine? With my previous cars (VW, Mazda), non-dealer replacements were fine. This just seems potentially a bit more complicated or fussy getting it "just right".

Thanks.

Bruce

Should be a non-issue to replace the windshield. I'd recommend a glass shop over a dealer for two reasons;

1. Glass shops are much more likely to work with you on your insurance deductible than a dealer.
2. Dealerships farm this work out to glass shops anyway. I'd be surprised to find any dealer who does the glass replacement themselves.

 

[Aseras]

I had the whole windshield replaced in my 2015 with all the cameras and black box and all and it was done by safelite with an OEM windshield. Cost to me was $0 and they did it in my driveway.

Can't even tell the difference.

 

[!arry4pyro]

Funny, I just came from Satellite, the car wash scratched my windshield. I was quotes $313 to replace the windshield on my gen 1 Volt.

Rather than pay for replacing your windshield you might want to check your insurance. Comprehensive on my insurance will change out glass with no deductable and no claim. I'm only going the route of doing this privately because I'm PO'd at the way the car wash tried to bully me into thinking it was my fault (another reason to have a dashcam!).

 

[emv]

Check your insurance, some companies will pay for a fix (like the do it yourself goop kits but much better) without it counting as a "claim" that could cause your rate to go up.

 

[tiger955rider]

I install autoglass in BC Canada for Speedy Glass. Safelite in USA and Speedy in Canada are basically the same company (owned by Belron) so we have the same tools. By far the best tools in the industry for doing this work. I am biased of course but I do not recommend taking it to a dealership for a replacement or a bodyshop. As was said above, cut out the middleman and take it to somebody that specializes in autoglass repair and replacement. The Volt is actually a very simple install, especially with the right tools.

 

[quirkySquirt]

I don't have any advice or experience having windshields replaced, but I did find the following video informative when researching the Volt:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLck7wORNaw

Oh wait, I did do a chip repair once on my old ICE using one of those DIY kits from local auto stores (forget which store and kit). It was fairly simple but wasn't invisible at all. Most likely my application of the DIY repair was not adequate. I think I should've tried chipping away more of the area to make for a clear pit for the resin to fill completely. I'm guessing air pocket was left behind which is why I still saw the chip area, though, much reduced in size thanks to the resin that filled in the chip.

 

[tiger955rider]

In this video the installer missed quite a few important steps like proper preparation of the bonding surfaces. I still have the tools he used but they get used less than 10% these days.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Hi All,

The front windshield on my 2017 Volt incurred a small pit today from a stone impacting it while I was driving on the highway today, which got me to thinking. It's only a matter of time until I'll need to replace my front windshield, and I notice that there's a prominent black box (presumably for OnStar) beside the rear view mirror, both of which are mounted to the windshield. There's a narrow "black mesh" pattern on the windshield, a bit like a decal, surrounding the OnStar box.

Have any of you replaced a windshield on your 2016 or 2017 Volt yet? And if so, was the replacement "like new" in appearance, particularly with regard to remounting the OnStar box and rear view mirror?

Any advantage in having this done by a Chevy dealer, or will any competent windshield replacement company do just fine? With my previous cars (VW, Mazda), non-dealer replacements were fine. This just seems potentially a bit more complicated or fussy getting it "just right".

Thanks.

Bruce

Hi Bruce,

We're sorry to learn that you've experienced this concern with your windshield. We see you may be seeking advice from other users, but if you decide to take your Volt to a dealership, feel free to send us a message and we'd be happy to serve as an additional layer of assistance. Please be sure to include your contact information, VIN, mileage and preferred dealer.

All the best,
Lauren E.
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[2VoltFamily]

If it is a small pit I do not believe safelite can fix it. I had them repair my 2013 Volt in one spot where a rock created a small star crack. They can fix those because the resin can fill into the crack and hold it together. I had a couple for small chips as well and they could not repair those because the resin would eventually pop out.

 

[turboguy327]

In this video the installer missed quite a few important steps like proper preparation of the bonding surfaces. I still have the tools he used but they get used less than 10% these days.

He could have activated the glass prior to the start of the video. And some adhesive systems have primer/activator all in one. Or doesn't need the car to be activated. I'd be more worried about his bead and the fact he didn't join the beads at the joints at all.

 

[tiger955rider]

He could have activated the glass prior to the start of the video. And some adhesive systems have primer/activator all in one. Or doesn't need the car to be activated. I'd be more worried about his bead and the fact he didn't join the beads at the joints at all.

The W/S may have been prepped ahead of time but there was no visible prep of the pinchweld for dirt, activation or touch ups of any bare metal from body joins and scratches he can make with his razor knife. Last night I had to install a bonded glass that fell off the excavator while in use because the prep was skipped and a so called primerless urethane was used. I find this situation when somebody from another trade installs glass. I really do believe in sticking to your trade. I'm not somebody you want rebuilding your engine because I don't have the experience or know how. Also, you get what you paid for these days. Cheaping out on procedure or any other part of the job can lead to disaster.

 

[turboguy327]

The W/S may have been prepped ahead of time but there was no visible prep of the pinchweld for dirt, activation or touch ups of any bare metal from body joins and scratches he can make with his razor knife. Last night I had to install a bonded glass that fell off the excavator while in use because the prep was skipped and a so called primerless urethane was used. I find this situation when somebody from another trade installs glass. I really do believe in sticking to your trade. I'm not somebody you want rebuilding your engine because I don't have the experience or know how. Also, you get what you paid for these days. Cheaping out on procedure or any other part of the job can lead to disaster.

This is true. It's been awhile since I've done installs. (Safelite tech). I left due to a back injury but have worked through and hope to come back soon.

 

[NickHark]

Hi All,

The front windshield on my 2017 Volt incurred a small pit today from a stone impacting it while I was driving on the highway today, which got me to thinking. It's only a matter of time until I'll need to replace my front windshield, and I notice that there's a prominent black box (presumably for OnStar) beside the rear view mirror, both of which are mounted to the windshield. There's a narrow "black mesh" pattern on the windshield, a bit like a decal, surrounding the OnStar box.

Have any of you replaced a windshield on your 2016 or 2017 Volt yet? And if so, was the replacement "like new" in appearance, particularly with regard to remounting the OnStar box and rear view mirror?

Any advantage in having this done by a Chevy dealer, or will any competent windshield replacement company do just fine? With my previous cars (VW, Mazda), non-dealer replacements were fine. This just seems potentially a bit more complicated or fussy getting it "just right".

Thanks.

Bruce

Replaced the windshield last week when a crack appeared from the bottom left to top center. AAA paid Safelight and I paid $100 deductible. It looks exactly like it came from the factory. I am completely satisfied.