Windshield wipers tearing
New User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: USA
Windshield wipers tearing
Having driven my 2002 F-250 CC SD for only 13 months and 9500 miles, I've found that my windshield wiper blade outer ends are tearing. Dealer says I am past the 12 mos./ 12K miles whichever comes first, so sorry, no warranty coverage for normal wear items. I am an avid user of Rain-X, both sumner and winter formulas.
Any ideas? Cheap wipers? Could the Rain-X cause it? I posted in the Appearance section and had a lively discussion on Rain-X, but no clear conclusion that Rain-X attacks wipers.
Also, for replacements, previous discussions suggest going to 20" or 22" length. The original wipers are only a shade over 18" which provides meager coverage for a windshield that large.
Any advice would be appreciated. This continues to be a great website.
Any ideas? Cheap wipers? Could the Rain-X cause it? I posted in the Appearance section and had a lively discussion on Rain-X, but no clear conclusion that Rain-X attacks wipers.
Also, for replacements, previous discussions suggest going to 20" or 22" length. The original wipers are only a shade over 18" which provides meager coverage for a windshield that large.
Any advice would be appreciated. This continues to be a great website.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 256
Likes: 1
Windshield wipers tearing
I'm not sure where you live, but I've always replaced my wiper blades every Fall. Between heat/sun/rain/ flexing, they never seem to last much longer.
Just my $0.02- YMMV
-V10gunner
'00 SD F250 Super Cab XLT, 4X2, 142"WB, 6.8L V10, 4R100, 4.30LS, LT265 tire upgrade, Camper package, Dark Toreador red over silver, Line-X, Husky mud flaps, Snugtop Xtra Vision cab-high shell, AutoMeter tranny temp gauge, Banks Stinger and TransCommand, Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller, Bilstein shocks
Nash 22H TT
Just my $0.02- YMMV
-V10gunner
'00 SD F250 Super Cab XLT, 4X2, 142"WB, 6.8L V10, 4R100, 4.30LS, LT265 tire upgrade, Camper package, Dark Toreador red over silver, Line-X, Husky mud flaps, Snugtop Xtra Vision cab-high shell, AutoMeter tranny temp gauge, Banks Stinger and TransCommand, Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller, Bilstein shocks
Nash 22H TT
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,535
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From: I'm lost somewhere in NJ -- can someone please find me?!?!?!?
Windshield wipers tearing
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 21-Nov-02 AT 00:57 AM (EST)]I've never been able to get more than a good 1 to 1.5 years out of a pair of wiper blades. Considering how cheap they are, who cares if it was normal wear or the Rain-X?
As far as replacement size, I haven't measured mine yet, but plan on replacing them with the BIGGEST size that fits. Take a tape measure to it and figure it out. Or, if you're lazy like I am, I'll just go to a big "chain" style auto parts store, and buy one of each (20 & 22). Then I can try them both on for size in the parking lot, figure out which one I like better, and return the other one for an exchange to the correct size.
As far as replacement size, I haven't measured mine yet, but plan on replacing them with the BIGGEST size that fits. Take a tape measure to it and figure it out. Or, if you're lazy like I am, I'll just go to a big "chain" style auto parts store, and buy one of each (20 & 22). Then I can try them both on for size in the parking lot, figure out which one I like better, and return the other one for an exchange to the correct size.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: S.W. Oregon
Windshield wipers tearing
I never seem to get more than 1 to 1-1/2 years on any of our vehicles. I may just be fussy, I don't know. My only complaint on the Super Duty wiper system is the weak spray on the washer and the way the wipers start before the wash fluid has really had time to cover the windshield. Sort of grinds the grit on the first pass.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Windshield wipers tearing
I just installed 22" Anco winter Blades on my 99' F-350, $11.00 bucks each at Wetern Auto. They fit fine, I installed same blades on my 97' Expy too, tired of the wipers freezing and not wiping good,see what happens this winter. 
Later,,,,,,,,,,,,Mark
Later,,,,,,,,,,,,Mark
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Windshield wipers tearing
>>Any ideas? Cheap wipers? Could the Rain-X cause it? I posted in the Appearance section and had a lively discussion on Rain-X, but no clear conclusion that Rain-X attacks wipers.
I do not believe that Rain-X attacks the compounds in the wiper blade. I use the Rain-X washer fluid. I have to clean the waxy build up off of the wipers from over use. It seems to actually condition the wiper.
Unlike others here, I have run the same wiper blade on my van for close to 3 years now with no tearing, etc. I clean them often. Not so much because of the Rain-X but because they have an important job, so I keep them clean. Then again, they are aftermarket blades...
Could just be your environment. But cheap wipers is probably the biggest cause.
I do not believe that Rain-X attacks the compounds in the wiper blade. I use the Rain-X washer fluid. I have to clean the waxy build up off of the wipers from over use. It seems to actually condition the wiper.
Unlike others here, I have run the same wiper blade on my van for close to 3 years now with no tearing, etc. I clean them often. Not so much because of the Rain-X but because they have an important job, so I keep them clean. Then again, they are aftermarket blades...
Could just be your environment. But cheap wipers is probably the biggest cause.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,535
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From: I'm lost somewhere in NJ -- can someone please find me?!?!?!?
Windshield wipers tearing
I recently started to keep a second set of blades around for the winter; specifically winter blades. The wiper articulation mechanism is wrapped in rubber to keep it from jamming with ice/snow. No more pulling over to free the wipers of the slush they gather in those little metal articulation joints. And this way, like it or not, I inspect my wipers twice a year to make sure they're still useable rather than finding a flaw during the middle of a storm.
Whichever set was not in use would stay in my vehicle just in case one of my wipers flew off during use. Some may say this is somewhat paranoid of me, but it actually happened once. Driving for 1/2 an hour in pouring rain without wipers @ 2:00 AM was NOT fun. I had to wrap one of the wiper arms with a taped-up Ziploc bag to keep it from scratching the windshield while my one remaining wiper got me home. I’m still convinced someone loosened it on me as a joke, but no one fessed-up to it.
Whichever set was not in use would stay in my vehicle just in case one of my wipers flew off during use. Some may say this is somewhat paranoid of me, but it actually happened once. Driving for 1/2 an hour in pouring rain without wipers @ 2:00 AM was NOT fun. I had to wrap one of the wiper arms with a taped-up Ziploc bag to keep it from scratching the windshield while my one remaining wiper got me home. I’m still convinced someone loosened it on me as a joke, but no one fessed-up to it.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,496
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Canada
Windshield wipers tearing
>I have to clean the WAXY build up off of the wipers from over use.
Monsta, what are you getting at here? Are you hitting that many fellow Waxys? Sheesh, we're endangered you know.
IMHO if your wipers last a year they've pretty much done their job. Especially a Canadian year.
I'm kinda whacko when it comes to visibility, so I'm more than willing to spend the extra $$$$ to get the best quality enclosed "winter" style blades I can. Spending $20-30 every year, or even 6 months for that matter, seems like a pretty small price to pay for good visibility. The stock Ford wipers are pretty crappy, I had them on from March till last week when I put the winter ones on and they were already starting to give out. I'll probably put new ones on in the spring. I'll give the stock ones to my brother, he is CHEAP.
Waxy
Monsta, what are you getting at here? Are you hitting that many fellow Waxys? Sheesh, we're endangered you know.
IMHO if your wipers last a year they've pretty much done their job. Especially a Canadian year.
I'm kinda whacko when it comes to visibility, so I'm more than willing to spend the extra $$$$ to get the best quality enclosed "winter" style blades I can. Spending $20-30 every year, or even 6 months for that matter, seems like a pretty small price to pay for good visibility. The stock Ford wipers are pretty crappy, I had them on from March till last week when I put the winter ones on and they were already starting to give out. I'll probably put new ones on in the spring. I'll give the stock ones to my brother, he is CHEAP.
Waxy
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 529
Likes: 1
From: Fairbanks USA
Windshield wipers tearing
What? No warranty on wiper blades?
2000 F350SDXLT,SRW,RC,5spd man,V10, Front Leveling Kit,4.30 gears, 285/75/16 Wild Country, Moon Roof, Tinted Windows, Blacked out Tails
2000 F350SDXLT,SRW,RC,5spd man,V10, Front Leveling Kit,4.30 gears, 285/75/16 Wild Country, Moon Roof, Tinted Windows, Blacked out Tails
New User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: USA
Windshield wipers tearing
Thanks a lot for the insight. I live in the seacoast of NH area. Yes, NH does have a seacoast. I thought wipers should go a few years, but perhaps not. No regrets getting rid of the original wipers. They were mediocre at best. Thanks again and happy trails!
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: S.W. Oregon
Windshield wipers tearing
> I live in the seacoast of NH
>area. Yes, NH does have a seacoast.
I lived in a big OLD Victorian right on the beach just south of Wallace Sands for a while in college. 25 years ago, but at least back then, and esp. in the winter, the NH coast was beautiful.
>area. Yes, NH does have a seacoast.
I lived in a big OLD Victorian right on the beach just south of Wallace Sands for a while in college. 25 years ago, but at least back then, and esp. in the winter, the NH coast was beautiful.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: NE WISCONSIN
Windshield wipers tearing
I tried the winter blades several years ago and didn't like them. They seemed to catch too much air at highway speeds and wouldn't keep good contact with the windshield.