Wiper blade choice?
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 210
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From: Skiatook, OK
Wiper blade choice?
I have been battling a wiper blade issue. At first, my driver's side windshield wiper did not give me a clear view. I thought it was a worn blade.
After replacing both sides with the beam-style, it still did not make contact all the way through the wiped-patch. It left a big spot un-wiped right at eye-level for the driver. So I decided that the wiper arm springs were too streched-out. I replaced the arms.
The problem persisted, so I switched back to the original-style blades, but still, there was that big spot in the driver's viewing area of the windshield, only the wiper gets it clean on the upswing, just blurs it again on the way down to "park" position.
So I am pretty sure it's a matter of getting the right brand, or I've got a low spot on my windshield. Any suggestions?
After replacing both sides with the beam-style, it still did not make contact all the way through the wiped-patch. It left a big spot un-wiped right at eye-level for the driver. So I decided that the wiper arm springs were too streched-out. I replaced the arms.
The problem persisted, so I switched back to the original-style blades, but still, there was that big spot in the driver's viewing area of the windshield, only the wiper gets it clean on the upswing, just blurs it again on the way down to "park" position.
So I am pretty sure it's a matter of getting the right brand, or I've got a low spot on my windshield. Any suggestions?
Last edited by FoxFord33; May 26, 2017 at 09:45 AM. Reason: Sp.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 501
Likes: 7
From: Deep East Texas
I have seen a few threads on wipers. It seems Motorcraft is the preferred brand. Replacing the wiper arms with new ones may help you. That is my next step. I've also read where some use slightly shorter wiper blades to help with better wiping. Search and you will probably find more info than I can remember.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 40
From: EXTREME southwest CT
I tried the beam style blades when I swapped over to hook style arms.
Trico beams did exactly what you said.
Then I tried the top rated Bosch Icon beams in both A & B curvature.
Still no good.
So after $100 in blades (17.99x2, 21x2, and another 21 'B' blade) I've given up and bought *another* set of the old fashioned metal frame blades.
Maybe the spring of the wiper arm itself has lost tension.
I changed arms to the newer 'hook' style because my blades were wiggling around on the pins and skipping.
Trico beams did exactly what you said.
Then I tried the top rated Bosch Icon beams in both A & B curvature.
Still no good.
So after $100 in blades (17.99x2, 21x2, and another 21 'B' blade) I've given up and bought *another* set of the old fashioned metal frame blades.
Maybe the spring of the wiper arm itself has lost tension.
I changed arms to the newer 'hook' style because my blades were wiggling around on the pins and skipping.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 634
Likes: 43
I've had limited success, or improvement, by twisting the wiper arm. I just used the largest adjustable wrench I had and twisted to improve the angle which then gave me better surface coverage. Play with it a bit.
I also use RainX and that helps a bunch too.
I also use RainX and that helps a bunch too.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 17
From: Central Indiana
FWIW, the expensive Euro beam wipers are a fad and not worth wasting money on. We drive trucks, not boy-toys.
Last edited by raystankewitz; May 27, 2017 at 09:21 PM. Reason: typografikal airurs.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,305
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put on a new (cheap) set in late winter/early spring and right away they were squeaking and leaving untouched streaks. kept telling myself i would do some custom bending to get them to wipe better but i kept forgetting. after a few weeks of forgetting (and almost daily rain) i realized that the squeaks and unwiped sections were gone ... the blades had seated themselves. yay !
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More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 610
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My '88 has the Rain-X Latitude beam blades with water repellency (essentially made with Silicone), and they work great! I was a little hesitant to go with non-traditional blades, but so far, they have been perfect. My parents each have them on their trucks, and my Dad says they are by far the best wipers he ever had. Absolutely no streaking or smearing.
These aren't just 'about the same' as the traditional ones, it's night-and-day difference.
I don't know what is so wussy about beam blades; they are the best working wipers I've seen in a long time. My parents have had countless sets of brand new traditional Rain-X blades streak, and they fall apart after 6 months. They've had their beam blades for about 6 months, and they still work like they day they were new.
The water repellency feature is great. You can drive down the freeway in heavy rain with the wipers off; the water instantly beads up and runs off. In extremely heavy rain, it just forms a perfect, glass-like layer on the windshield at low speed. No need for blades there either!
These aren't just 'about the same' as the traditional ones, it's night-and-day difference.
I don't know what is so wussy about beam blades; they are the best working wipers I've seen in a long time. My parents have had countless sets of brand new traditional Rain-X blades streak, and they fall apart after 6 months. They've had their beam blades for about 6 months, and they still work like they day they were new.
The water repellency feature is great. You can drive down the freeway in heavy rain with the wipers off; the water instantly beads up and runs off. In extremely heavy rain, it just forms a perfect, glass-like layer on the windshield at low speed. No need for blades there either!
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 17
From: Central Indiana
My '88 has the Rain-X Latitude beam blades with water repellency (essentially made with Silicone), and they work great! I was a little hesitant to go with non-traditional blades, but so far, they have been perfect. My parents each have them on their trucks, and my Dad says they are by far the best wipers he ever had. Absolutely no streaking or smearing.
These aren't just 'about the same' as the traditional ones, it's night-and-day difference.
I don't know what is so wussy about beam blades; they are the best working wipers I've seen in a long time. My parents have had countless sets of brand new traditional Rain-X blades streak, and they fall apart after 6 months. They've had their beam blades for about 6 months, and they still work like they day they were new.
The water repellency feature is great. You can drive down the freeway in heavy rain with the wipers off; the water instantly beads up and runs off. In extremely heavy rain, it just forms a perfect, glass-like layer on the windshield at low speed. No need for blades there either!
These aren't just 'about the same' as the traditional ones, it's night-and-day difference.
I don't know what is so wussy about beam blades; they are the best working wipers I've seen in a long time. My parents have had countless sets of brand new traditional Rain-X blades streak, and they fall apart after 6 months. They've had their beam blades for about 6 months, and they still work like they day they were new.
The water repellency feature is great. You can drive down the freeway in heavy rain with the wipers off; the water instantly beads up and runs off. In extremely heavy rain, it just forms a perfect, glass-like layer on the windshield at low speed. No need for blades there either!
That's when I bought the Auto zone Duralast DL-18 blades. The absolute cheapest of the lot. I figured, I'll do my due diligence before buying another expensive set so I made the purchase and changed them in the rain, right outside the door to the Auto zone. They did not squeak, chatter or fail to wipe right from the get-go.
I also bought the Rain-X washer fluid while I was in there. I had replaced the washer pump and put a bit of water in there to get by and the Rain-X was on sale, one-half price. I like the fluid, since it gives the windshield that repellent surface so I usually shut off the wipers on the freeway. Unless it's a downpour, the water beads up and flows right off. Oddly enough, the Rain-X wipers did that for about a month, then the repellency went away.
Last edited by raystankewitz; May 28, 2017 at 06:03 AM. Reason: Tuns uv tippografikul airurs
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Joined: Apr 2016
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I've used those Rain-X wipers and I was underwhelmed by their chattering during less than downpour conditions. After three months, they took a set and did not clear the windshield on the return wipe. Out of frustration, I even clayed the windshield with a clay bar to remove any little imperfection that existed, only to enjoy more chattering/failure to wipe clean.
That's when I bought the Auto zone Duralast DL-18 blades. The absolute cheapest of the lot. I figured, I'll do my due diligence before buying another expensive set so I made the purchase and changed them in the rain, right outside the door to the Auto zone. They did not squeak, chatter or fail to wipe right from the get-go.
I also bought the Rain-X washer fluid while I was in there. I had replaced the washer pump and put a bit of water in there to get by and the Rain-X was on sale, one-half price. I like the fluid, since it gives the windshield that repellent surface so I usually shut off the wipers on the freeway. Unless it's a downpour, the water beads up and flows right off. Oddly enough, the Rain-X wipers did that for about a month, then the repellency went away.
That's when I bought the Auto zone Duralast DL-18 blades. The absolute cheapest of the lot. I figured, I'll do my due diligence before buying another expensive set so I made the purchase and changed them in the rain, right outside the door to the Auto zone. They did not squeak, chatter or fail to wipe right from the get-go.
I also bought the Rain-X washer fluid while I was in there. I had replaced the washer pump and put a bit of water in there to get by and the Rain-X was on sale, one-half price. I like the fluid, since it gives the windshield that repellent surface so I usually shut off the wipers on the freeway. Unless it's a downpour, the water beads up and flows right off. Oddly enough, the Rain-X wipers did that for about a month, then the repellency went away.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 55
Likes: 2
From: Rippon WV
Love my Rain X wipers!!
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