Windshield Wipers
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
I use STP Vision Blade on all my windshields. I like it better than Aquapel. The rain flies off so good you don't need the wipers if going around 45-50 MPH. It also makes ice and snow MUCH easier to remove. You can't buy it any more but as usual you can find almost anything on Ebay.
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 591
Likes: 37
From: Groton, MA
There were quite a few posts about this when the 04s came out, and removing the key and repositioning the arm was the most common fix. One other fix that was mentioned and I tried, was to swap the passenger and driver side arms. Apparently they were slightly different on the 04. It gained me about 3/4" to 1" of sweep. I don't know if this will still work on newer trucks.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: mississauga ont.
I removed the driver side wiper arm , and used a soft cloth to cover the portion where the small arm is swedged into the portion that attaches to the spindle . Then placed arm in shop vise , and slightly "straightened" arm a small amount. It now "rests" almost horizontal on the windshield , the end now divides the small ford logo on lower center of glass. This makes the wipe to the left about 2 inches greater. wiper also looks better at rest.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,598
Likes: 145
From: SE Georgia
wow...haven't seen this thread in a long long time.
funny, but I never noticed an issue with snow when I lived in Seattle. Guess it's only a problem for you heavy snow drift guys.
@ 2004 XLT
how hard was it to remove that spline key? I run 26 & 24" blades on my Expy and it would be nice if there was more sweep to the thing. I ran 24" blades on my 2006 FX4 and they had a pretty good pattern, but I've found 26" is just a tiny bit better
funny, but I never noticed an issue with snow when I lived in Seattle. Guess it's only a problem for you heavy snow drift guys.
@ 2004 XLT
how hard was it to remove that spline key? I run 26 & 24" blades on my Expy and it would be nice if there was more sweep to the thing. I ran 24" blades on my 2006 FX4 and they had a pretty good pattern, but I've found 26" is just a tiny bit better
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
To: fanman2 and Lariatf150
Also, I have on occasion not shut the wipers off before turning the ignition off. Then, when I started up later, the wipers were frozen to the windshield. It's sort of a helpless, teeth clenching, situation because even if you turn them off, those wipers try to go to the "home" position. When that happens, you can see the wiper arms strain, but none has ever broken off.
Opahujo in Iowa
Also, I have on occasion not shut the wipers off before turning the ignition off. Then, when I started up later, the wipers were frozen to the windshield. It's sort of a helpless, teeth clenching, situation because even if you turn them off, those wipers try to go to the "home" position. When that happens, you can see the wiper arms strain, but none has ever broken off.
Opahujo in Iowa
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: mississauga ont.
wow...haven't seen this thread in a long long time.
funny, but I never noticed an issue with snow when I lived in Seattle. Guess it's only a problem for you heavy snow drift guys.
@ 2004 XLT
how hard was it to remove that spline key? I run 26 & 24" blades on my Expy and it would be nice if there was more sweep to the thing. I ran 24" blades on my 2006 FX4 and they had a pretty good pattern, but I've found 26" is just a tiny bit better
funny, but I never noticed an issue with snow when I lived in Seattle. Guess it's only a problem for you heavy snow drift guys.
@ 2004 XLT
how hard was it to remove that spline key? I run 26 & 24" blades on my Expy and it would be nice if there was more sweep to the thing. I ran 24" blades on my 2006 FX4 and they had a pretty good pattern, but I've found 26" is just a tiny bit better
I wanted the key I glued it back in.
Bent the arm instead and is great now comes to 1 1/2 " from top of pillar.
And no worry about stripping the fine splines.
As we tend to get lots of snow and drive in storms snow build at end of wiper stroke could stress the splines they look to be finer than the old ones that had no key ways.
So yes easy to get them out.
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
From: Americas' hat (Canada)
If it wasn't so streaky when you use the wipers, Rain-X did wonders to remove snow and ice. It took 1/3 of the effort to scrape ice off the windshield.
I earned this after putting some Rain-X on my windshield before we got into or rainy season only to get struck by a freak snow/ice storm. Below freezing temperatures and a foot of snow over night. Everything was covered..... except for my windshield.
But, as I stated before, if you use the wipers with the rain-x it leaves a blinding streak across the windshield which lasts for a few seconds.
I earned this after putting some Rain-X on my windshield before we got into or rainy season only to get struck by a freak snow/ice storm. Below freezing temperatures and a foot of snow over night. Everything was covered..... except for my windshield.
But, as I stated before, if you use the wipers with the rain-x it leaves a blinding streak across the windshield which lasts for a few seconds.
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Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: mississauga ont.
If it wasn't so streaky when you use the wipers, Rain-X did wonders to remove snow and ice. It took 1/3 of the effort to scrape ice off the windshield.
I earned this after putting some Rain-X on my windshield before we got into or rainy season only to get struck by a freak snow/ice storm. Below freezing temperatures and a foot of snow over night. Everything was covered..... except for my windshield.
But, as I stated before, if you use the wipers with the rain-x it leaves a blinding streak across the windshield which lasts for a few seconds.
I earned this after putting some Rain-X on my windshield before we got into or rainy season only to get struck by a freak snow/ice storm. Below freezing temperatures and a foot of snow over night. Everything was covered..... except for my windshield.
But, as I stated before, if you use the wipers with the rain-x it leaves a blinding streak across the windshield which lasts for a few seconds.
Have used Rain -X for 14 years and it has less smear for me than if not treated
wont go without
That's just me.
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