Generally, once there are about three to four scratches on your windshield, the best thing you need is to go for a replacement. Replacing an old, cracked windshield with a new one typically takes at least one hour and is fairly inexpensive. During the installation process, a urethane adhesive is applied to hold the windshield in place.
Furthermore, it could take up to 24 hours for the adhesive to cure, meaning you need to keep your car safe during this period. An incorrect installation of windscreen glass could occur if the adhesive used is not enough or if the glass isn’t properly set on the car body. If a windshield replacement goes bad, it could lead to the separation of the laminated gas from the vehicle of your car.
One of the signs to know that your car’s windscreen is improperly installed is when the glass makes rattling and whooshing sounds, especially when driving at a high speed. A newly installed windshield shouldn’t, in any way, make noise. As soon as you start hearing unexpected noise, let the repairer check and fix the issue.
Is it normal for a new windshield to rattle? Should a new windscreen make noise when driving? How exactly do I know that my car isn’t properly installed? What are the things to check after replacing my car’s windshield? As you read through the rest of this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about the questions above.
Is It Normal For A New Windshield To Rattle?
Do you keep getting a quick, often unsteady, burst of sounds after replacing your old, cracked windshield with a new one? If yes, you need to understand that this rattling sound is a warning sign that everything is not right with your new windscreen.
It’s abnormal for a new windshield to rattle when driving. If it does, you need to take the issue very seriously to avoid damaging the windscreen once again and having to spend more money replacing it. In case you don’t know, if your new windshield rattles, it’s a sign that the replacement project was improperly carried out.
An ill-fitted windshield will most likely produce a rattling noise, especially when you drive and hit a pothole. The pitch of the noise differs, depending on how bad the windshield was fixed.
The bottom line is that if your new windshield gives a rattling sound, it’s not a normal thing. Instead, it’s a sign that the windscreen is ill-fitted and needs proper attention.
Should A New Windshield Make A Noise?
The simple and direct answer is no; your new windshield shouldn’t, in any way, make a noise. If your new windshield starts making noise, it could be a warning sign that the windshield is not properly installed.
One of the signs to know that your windshield is ill-fitted to your car body is when you keep hearing a rattling sound from the glass.
When driving at a high speed, another warning sign to know the windshield is not properly installed is when you keep hearing a whooshing sound. This is most likely the sound of the wind blowing through an open place on the windshield into your car. Irrespective of the type of sound that your windscreen is giving, one thing you need to know is that it’s not normal for the glass to make noise while driving.
If you recently got a new windshield and are currently experiencing a rattling or whooshing noise from your car, my advice is to drive down to your repairer’s workshop. Let the glass repairer have a check on the windshield and fix the issue immediately.
How Do I Know If My Windshield Is Installed Properly?
There are several different ways to understand that your vehicle’s windshield is properly installed. If you aren’t getting any of the warning signs that I’ll be listing below, then, you can rest assured that the new windshield is properly fitted to your vehicle.
Is your windshield making noise?
As earlier mentioned, having your windshield give you a rattling or whooshing sound is a red flag. Yes, it’s a warning sign that the laminated safety glass placed in your car is ill-fitted. Of course, you already know what to do if this is exactly what you’re currently experiencing when driving your car.
Was the windshield replacement project performed by one person?
Another warning sign to know that your car was not properly fitted is when the installation of the laminated glass was done by just one person.
Usually, it takes two or more experienced technicians to fix or replace an old windshield with a new one. So, if you noticed only one person, this is a good sign that the windshield was not properly installed.
Water leaks
Is water leaking or seeping in around the edges of your windshield? If yes, this is a good sign that the windscreen was not properly fitted to your car. Even if it’s a few drops of water that are seeping into the car, it’s still a symptom of an ill-fitted windshield.
Does the glass look wavy?
Look at the windshield in direct sunlight, how does it look? Does it look wavy or smooth and clear? If yes, this is a sign that the laminated glass used for the windshield is of high quality. However, if the view isn’t clear enough and you can notice bumps, just know that the windscreen is not installed with good materials.
Can you still see the old adhesive on the windshield?
If you can still see the old adhesive on your windshield, it’s a warning sign that the replacement job was wrongly executed. Normally, before installing a new windshield, the first thing the technician should do is scrape the old adhesive before adding a new one.
What To Check After Windshield Replacement?
There are a lot of things that you need to check after replacing your windshield. First, you need to check and look for gaps in the seal used on the new windscreen.
In addition to that, you need to check and understand that the urethane adhesive is dry enough for normal driving. After confirming that you can drive the vehicle, you need to first take it out for testing. Check and listen to understand whether or not the windshield is making any noise.
