Issue after windshield replacement

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I had my windshield replaced by Safelite about six month ago and have this strange water noise everytime it rains or after car wash while I'm driving. The sound is like large drops are buffeting against something. Is the cowl not put together right or what could cause that noise? It is clear that I should take the car back to Safelite and have them diagnose it but I'd like to know what the problem is before they accept or deny improper assembly. The main thing is the noise did not exist with factory glass and weatherstripping. It seem that lower part of glass under the plastic cowl is the source but hard to tell while driving. What is under plastic cowl under the hood? Could there be some weatherstripping missaligned or missing? The part where it touches the glass appears to be flawless. Any ideas?

 

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I just inspected weatherstripping and noticed right side is made of 2 pieces instead of one continuous. I don't know if that is enough to make that bubbling noise but certainly not the way it suppose to be. Can those weatherstrippings on sides and one on the top of windshield be replaced without taking out the glass? I'd like to install OEM weatherstripping if possible.

 

[MO-verland]

I had a very similar noise like you described after a windshield replacement along with a whistle at highway speed. The fix was to use OEM trim on either side of the windshield glass that fit much more snug than the generic trim that comes with the replacement windshield, in which most shops use. Can't say for sure if this is your problem, just something I experience!

Edit: They did have to remove the windshield to change out the trim

 

[Nellie]

I have the same issue. I haven't put the time into diagnosing the problem but I'm bringing it to the dealer this week because I have the dreaded windshield "tick" noise as well. I will have them take a look into this noise as well. I'll let you know what they say.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

 

[rihavens]

I had my windshield replaced by Safelite

Found the problem.

 

[oljedi11950]

Take your wipers off & then the cowling , there are a cpl pieces & you might be able to see if that's doable (weatherstripping) w/o having the hassle of a redo or have frickin Safelite come back & do over ! I took mine all off to prep for the guy (went cheapo) 190$ came to house , but no problems like you quote .:frustyf course you've probably done all that ....

 

[mcarey86]

It's not coming from the B pillar is it?

I have a noise there whenever I'm on the highway and it's raining. Drives me crazy, but apparently it's normal.

 

[e60ral]

the sound is the rain hitting the car near the b-pillar or rear window, it will happen with the factory windshield too. some wind/rain combinations are worse than others. it's probably just the aerodynamics of the vehicle that causes it (and the fact that vehicles don't have gutters beside windshields anymore)

 

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I agree most likely just aerodynamics of weatherstripping and A-pillar. There was some noise before aftermarket glass install it is just worse now. I did thorough inspection today and found no fault in install work. O well, will live with it until new glass needed again and then will use OEM everything and different shop.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Do not know if this would help but maybe put a little black silicone in any gaps in any molding around the suspected areas. I did this on an Avalon I had and it really helped.

 

[brian0128]

After Having my windshield replaced with OEM Glass I had the same issue. It wasn’t rain because we tested it by running a water stream and then driving it. I would hear pops until the water dried. I took it to a body shop and he used a foam gun and sprayed the front window with soap then got inside with an air chuck and blew a stream of air around the whole windshield. It started bubbling all over from small pinholes in the RTV type sealant. They pulled the windshield and redid the sealant and the noise is gone.

 

[Mclark93]

I had my windshield replaced by Safelite about six month ago and have this strange water noise everytime it rains or after car wash while I'm driving. The sound is like large drops are buffeting against something. Is the cowl not put together right or what could cause that noise? It is clear that I should take the car back to Safelite and have them diagnose it but I'd like to know what the problem is before they accept or deny improper assembly. The main thing is the noise did not exist with factory glass and weatherstripping. It seem that lower part of glass under the plastic cowl is the source but hard to tell while driving. What is under plastic cowl under the hood? Could there be some weatherstripping missaligned or missing? The part where it touches the glass appears to be flawless. Any ideas?

What was the exact issue? I had mine replaced and I started hearing this noise when it rained. It drives me nuts.

 

[raab02]

Bumping this thread to see if anyone else is having this issue or if any of the previous posters determined a root cause.

In addition to the gurgling/ bubbling noise while driving after a rain, I also have what I would call excessive wind noise. Yes- I know these trucks are bricks but I rented an SR5 last year that was definitely quieter.

To test this, I used painter's tape to cover the side windshield "seam" from cowl to roof. On the driver's side, this seemed to quiet down my wind noise quite a bit. On the passenger side, a loose end of the tape flapping in the wind sounded almost exactly the same as the gurgling/ bubbling.

So now I'm pretty confident there are issues with my windshield install, and in the side seams in particular. Fortunately I don't seem to have the dreaded creak/click from the cowl that other's have reported.

Is it easy/ possible to replace my side trim with OE? Haven't had much luck searching for a part number, but maybe my google-fu is weak.

 

[ahtoxa11]

I have the same issue. I haven't put the time into diagnosing the problem but I'm bringing it to the dealer this week because I have the dreaded windshield "tick" noise as well. I will have them take a look into this noise as well. I'll let you know what they say.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

For the windshield tick, check the piece of plastic that's on the outside of the windshield in the very corner next to fender. Mine ticks and squeaks and this plastic is the culprit. It's worse after wheeling and dusty conditions.