"In relation to the trims, I can advise that I am now in the position to come back to you with a response.
The technician that carried out the windscreen replacement did note on the job that some of the clips were missing from the previous replacement. He has since advised that the driver side trim appeared older than the passenger side trim. However, he cannot recall whether the trim was sitting properly prior to starting the job. We have therefore been unable to conclude whether the trim was sitting properly prior to the replacement and in view of this we have ordered a replacement part for you as a goodwill gesture.
Please be assured that once the part has arrived, the branch will contact you to make the necessary arrangements to have the part fitted."
Although they dont remember, neither trims had been changed and were both sitting propperly previously. I am not sure what part will be fitted but hopefully it will be sorted.
im sure noone is really interested in this on-going post but just incase anyone is or bored thought id share my response to cover all bases in the eventuallity things go tits up!
Thank you for your email.
The part number 5379AGAACHMVWZ is not a Mercedes-Benz part number. However, it may well be your own product code held on your systems for that windscreen.
In relation to the trims…..
1. “The technician that carried out the windscreen replacement did note on the job that some of the clips were missing from the previous replacement.”
a) Mercedes-Benz recommend that when fitting a replacement windscreen that new clips are fitted as a matter of course. However, these were not fitted on the initial fitting.
b) Your fitter carried out remedial work to replace clips.
c) This remedial work did not solve the badly fitted windscreen.
d) We can conclude that the clips whether missing or otherwise did not make any difference and are irrelevant.
2. “He has since advised that the driver side trim appeared older than the passenger side trim”.
a) It is unclear in what way the driver’s side trim appeared older than the passenger side or why this is relevant.
b) Neither driver or passenger side trims have been replaced at any time and are both the same age.
c) Both trims are the original trims as fitted at the Mercedes-Benz factory when new.
3. “However, he cannot recall whether the trim was sitting properly prior to starting the job”
a) I can confirm that the windscreen was fitting up to the trims properly prior to starting the job.
b) It would not be possible for me to drive the vehicle for the last two years with a gap between the trim and windscreen since the wind noise caused by such a gap makes driving intolerable. I have previously provided you with sound recordings of the noise.
c) You should have procedures in place when inspecting the job to record any defects in the existing windscreen or fitting that should be flagged up with the customer prior to undertaking any work. Your fitter and associates did not flag up any such defects prior to undertaking the job because there weren’t any.
d) Your fitter has a very bad memory.
I have sought independent expert opinion on the fitting of the windscreen and the opinion is as follows
a) It is possible that there is a defect in the windscreen that makes it fit lower on the driver’s side and so does not meet up to the driver’s side trim.
b) It is possible that when the windscreen was fitted it was pressed into the bonding glue on the driver’s side too far and that the subsequent lowering of the screen on the driver’s side accounts for the screen not meeting the trim and causing the gap.
c) The screen should be “blocked” when fitting to prevent uneven fitting of the screen.
d) The screen should not be sealed with double sided tape or glue between the screen and trim to seal any gaps.
e) Any reputable branch would not release a vehicle with such a poorly implemented fitting.
f) Without removing the trim the expert was unable to offer any further opinion.
I am unsure of the replacement part that you have ordered. However, I have every confidence that your branch will ensure that upon completion there will be no glue or tape remnants left sealing the gap and that the windscreen meets up to the trims without any gaps that could cause air to enter that would cause any wind noise.
Kind regards,
