Brand of wiper blades

[CJ]

Just wondering what brand of wiper blades people have been using? I've used Bosch and Champion, both brands tend to squeak on the winscreen after only a few weeks old, Bosch being slightly worse.

CJ

[Speedyboy]

Yeah ive been using bosch and there useless, I was in new volvo and the wipers were excellent but when i checked them they were Bosch so i presume theres different grades

[CJ]

I've always found that the wipers squeak on FTOs, at least that has been the case on the two I've owned (FTOs, not wipers ). Apart from the noise, I find that that water isn't swept of the windscreen properly. I believe PIAA blades are the biz but are v. expensive, must check them out.

CJ

[Mustang]

CJ wrote

I've always found that the wipers squeak on FTOs

If the wipers are squeking. Then one possible cause is that the wiper arm needs to be replaced. After a while the spring which pulls the wiper arm against the windscreen looses it's effectiveness, which results in the blade not being pressed against the windscreen as firmly as it's supposed to be, resulting in squeking. Another possible cause is that the blades are incorrectly sized (too long). This can easily happen, it only takes one person to make a mistake, and then for subsequent owners to continue replacing the wipers with the exact same size!

Mustang

[Myfeckin FTO]

I believe PIAA blades are the biz but are v. expensive, must check them out.CJ

I have PIAA blades on at the moment - but out of curiousity I have been looking for replacements (just to have) over the past couple of months and have found that the FTO sizes (the 2 wipers are different sizes) are very difficult to get hold of. Looks like I'll be buying off the net again - local motor stores seem to have every size except for an FTO.

[CJ]

and have found that the FTO sizes (the 2 wipers are different sizes) are very difficult to get hold of

In my experience, they're not too hard to come by in decent motor factors, you're looking for 21" (passenger side) and 20" (drivers side).

If the wipers are squeking. Then one possible cause is that the wiper arm needs to be replaced. After a while the spring which pulls the wiper arm against the windscreen looses it's effectiveness, which results in the blade not being pressed against the windscreen as firmly as it's supposed to be, resulting in squeking.

I didn't think of this before but it makes lots of sense. Have you found this to a problem in the past Mustang?

CJ

[kevinod]

I've always found that the wipers squeak on FTOs, at least that has been the case on the two I've owned (FTOs, not wipers ). Apart from the noise, I find that that water isn't swept of the windscreen properly. I believe PIAA blades are the biz but are v. expensive, must check them out.

CJ

Mine don't squeak but I think need replacing alright, working my way down the 'list' still, will be visiting car bits shop today or tomorrow. Could do with a longer rear blade than is on her at the moment.

I had Champion blades on my Xsara, were fine. Did you replace just the rubber or the bit that holds the rubber? I've been told that the rubber holding bit (anyone got a good technical name for that? wiping application assembly or something like that ) wear and need to be replaced after a while.

Interested to know how you get on with it though, think I'll keep my old set in case the new ones start squeaking!

Kev.

[Mustang]

CJ Wrote

Mustang wrote:
If the wipers are squeking. Then one possible cause is that the wiper arm needs to be replaced. After a while the spring which pulls the wiper arm against the windscreen looses it's effectiveness, which results in the blade not being pressed against the windscreen as firmly as it's supposed to be, resulting in squeking.


I didn't think of this before but it makes lots of sense. Have you found this to a problem in the past Mustang?

Not on the FTO, mine don't squek, not great either.
Had a problem on my previous car. That was partly due to a motor factor ..free wiper fitting service...all very helpful apart from the fact that they fitted the wrong size blades . (also squeking remained) Found this after when I had the car serviced with the main agent dealer, and had to pay for another set of blades Can't rightly remember if they replaced the arm aswell.
I picked up a leaflet which describes the various wiper related problems, and the likely causes.
Also if the wiper arm spring has deteriorated you may be left with a film of water on the screen after the blade makes its pass.




Kevinod wrote

Could do with a longer rear blade than is on her at the moment.

Altering blade size is not to be advised. Can lead to squeking and also the symptom whereby the blade, 'jumps' form one point to the next, instead of a nice smooth pass.

Mustang

[rsg]

I got super blades called Durablades here in SA, very good and not much squeak.

Wanted to know if anyone knows where to get the titanium or silver frame for the wipers, I think it would look great on the FTO.

raf

[CJ]

Wanted to know if anyone knows where to get the titanium or silver frame for the wipers, I think it would look great on the FTO.

Raf, you can get silver Tenzo R wiper frames (with blades) from www.funkyproduct.co.uk . From reading the FTOOC forum, the UK lads seem to rate these blades highly.

CJ

[rsg]

Great! Thanks a lot CJ.

[JD]

Then one possible cause is that the wiper arm needs to be replaced. After a while the spring which pulls the wiper arm against the windscreen looses it's effectiveness, which results in the blade not being pressed against the windscreen as firmly as it's supposed to be, resulting in squeking.
Mustang

This happens 'cause the spring loses some of its 'spring' or just over time the wiper arm 'flattens' out slightly as a result of the constant pressure of the spring pressing it againt the windscreen. Both of these can be eleviated by GENTLY bending the wiper arm back into shape (towards the windcsreen) - a tiny bend will increas the pressure onto the windscreen but be very carefull not to overdo it and put too much pressure on the wiper motors.

JD