Well, less than 6 months after dropping comprehensive coverage on my Tracker, my windshield cracked all the way across the bottom.

I think I'm looking at $120 for a new windshield and $140 for the installation.

The installation doesn't look difficult, but of course I'd be worried about leaks and I have no idea what the spacers, adhesive, and new exterior molding would cost (can't imagine I'd get the current molding off without damaging it).

Has anyone done their windshield themselves?  Experiences?  Comments?

Thanks.

the hard part about windows..is the specialized tools they use like the one that prys the window out and the cups that suck to the window to give u somehing to grab on

u could do it though..it would take a few extra hrs but i think u could do it

remember u have to replace the gasket its on to

Dang mine only cost $150 installed and they came to my house to do it.(30-40min drive)

I had my rig done too. Lots of special tools involved and patience.  The guy was good, no leaks.  100 buck deductible.

And no, I did not make the switch to GEICO!

You will need the molding kit and it was about $25-$30 when I did autoglass about 5 years ago. You need a cut out knife $15, urethane to put the windshield and molding back on probably about $12-$15 a tube you will need 2 tubes. All you do is grab hold of the molding and pull off and trash. You will have in the molding kit three long pieces and two corners. Put the cut out knife which you can purchase at NAPA into a outside corner and pull the knife down and across. Get inside and take a utility knife and cut the bottom out. The process takes about 5 minutes. Now take your utility knife and v-cut around original urethane if it is still attached to the body and just apply urethane to the groove for the molding and small amount on the top of the original urethane. Now if you have rust or the original urethane  is not attached you will need to remove with utility knife all the urethane because you will be building up a new layer to set the windshield on. It is really easy and not difficult. By the way if you have not noticed the Tracker does not have a gasket.

The guy that owned my Track before me replaced the windshield himself just before I got it.  Last fall when I was cleaning it it popped out on the drivers side.

It was so loose I thought it was going to fall out.  Just a little advice if you are going to do it yourself------MAKE SURE IT IS SEALED.

BTW it never leaked during six months of car washs and driving 75+ mph (flat out of course) in the rain.  I paid $175.00 for a new one installed.  They "broke" the old one getting it out.

Funny thing is the charge for re-installing the old windshield was $125.00 and it was only $175.00 for a new one installed.

Sounds like I need to shop around for an installation.

Are these prices after the windshield company got insurance money, or are they the full prices?

Thanks for the info.  Where did you pick up the molding kit and adhesive?

By the way if you have not noticed the Tracker does not have a gasket.

Hmmm... my '90 service manual shows a gasket/spacer under the windshield.  If I decide to do it myself I guess I'll find out.  But, at $75 of installation kit / tools, installing it myself doesn't sound like a very good deal.

Thanks again.

Call around. I had my windshield done for 105 2 years ago at my house.  (western Mass) out of pocket.
I did one for a friend and we just used urathane from 3M
and the windshield had the trim on it. they are (91-96) glued on. (these are the years I have worked on)
you can do it with commen tools as long as you are paitent
and prep it right.

I paid mine out of pocket cause I have a $500 deductible.  

Call Safelite Autoglass. 700+ Locations in the US.