Cracked windscreen after service

newfoundglory

Had my car serviced late last week, along with some other small bits of work.

Noticed today that the windscreen has a large crack coming from the bottom centre, from underneath the plastic facia/trim. There is no damage to the glass along the crack line, no chips etc.

Closer inspection it looks like the plastic facia has been removed and not put back quite right. It has also warped on the passenger side, and is no longer flush with the glass.

I am wondering if this facia, along with the wipers and other parts (maybe the bonnet?), would have been removed in order to perform a rocker cover gasket replacement?

atrixblue.-MFR-.

I'm doubtful a bonnet and window trim will need to come off for a rocker cover replacement ive never had to do it. but I do know some mechanics put their tools in that area and say a socket can drop down through the vents in the trim to drain away water collection and thus take them off to retrieve them knowing that this part can make or break you when refitting it if you get it wrong. hope this helps.


Go back to the repairer, ask if he taken off the panel to retrieve a tool if he says i may have, then you have your answer.

Scrounger

Screen trim may have been removed for cabin pollen filter renewal (eg Mk1 Focus)?

Scrounger

AdrianC

Give us a hint, at least, of what car you're talking about...

newfoundglory

It's an old shape Ford Ka. Has a heated front windscreen so replacement is not going to be cheap.

I know they leave tools in the facia, as I've driven off in previous years from the main dealer and found screwdrivers in there when I've got home.

newfoundglory

Is it possible that incorrectly fitting the trim could cause enough pressure to actually crack the screen?!?!

http://imgur.com/4yJUBux (pressure crack?)

http://imgur.com/vv6HGo2 (wide view)

http://imgur.com/tJjLnGp (facia not flush)

http://imgur.com/npZMZnA (crack at front, warped trim at back)

atrixblue.-MFR-.

newfoundglory wrote: »

Is it possible that incorrectly fitting the trim could cause enough pressure to actually crack the screen?!?!

http://imgur.com/4yJUBux (pressure crack?)

http://imgur.com/vv6HGo2 (wide view)

http://imgur.com/tJjLnGp (facia not flush)

http://imgur.com/npZMZnA (crack at front, warped trim at back)

I cant tell from the pictures where the gap is in the trim meeting the screen if there is a clip that is resting on the windscreen, if so the there is no other way that clip could have risen and rested on the screen without that trim being taken off, look on your service sheet and see if theres a pollen filter or carbon active filter listed if so then the trim would have been taken off and care is needed when refitting the trim not to over tightened, mis fit, or use force to refit them as it would result in a cracked screen.

londonTiger

If they haven't owned up to it when you collected the car by saying "sorry we've messed up and damaged your car while performing the service". It's highly unlikely that they'll own up to it now.

Depends on the company of course. A workman might have done the damage and decided to keep quiet and not tell the boss. In which case the boss might do the right thing when you complain and get to the bottom of it.

But with an owner operator garage, forgetaboutit.

jsmith4519

hi, looking at pics i agree facia (scuttle) is not level but not a big cause of concern. As a windscreen fitter, looking at the first pic i would say that there is a stone chip just above the black band on screen, poss could have been there for months but lifting the car may have twisted chassis causing it to crack, not really garages problem.

arcon5

Even if they did put tools there, don't see how they would have cracked it!!