Wipers... argggg!!

Hi!

I just cant figure this one out! Ive had a 97 civic for 3 years now and I
have the same problem every winter: The wipers dont touch the part of the
windshield that is in front of my face!!!

Its like as soon as it gets really cold, the wiper lifts off of the
windshield right exactly at my eye level. OR maybe the windshield somehow
collapses down a tiny bit at that spot. I dont know, but its really
annoying and dangerous!

It doesnt make a difference if Im moving forward or sitting still.

I just put new winter teflon blades on 2 weeks ago. They work perfectly
when the temp is above 0 but this morning, just like every winter, as soon
as the temp dropped below zero the problem happened again!!!

ANY ideas would be much appreciated!!

Thanks!!!

Scott

 

do you have the original wipers with refills or have you replaced the whole
wiper before?

 

The spring-loaded pivot near the mounting bolt is rusted or is freezing up.

Turn the ignition on, start the wipers. When they are pointing straight up,
shut the ignition off so they will stay there.

Get out of the car and try to pull the wiper arm so the blade comes off the
glass. Let go. How sharply does it snap back on to the glass? Does it stick
there in the air?

Put a few drops of oil on either side of the pivot where the flat metal
parts meet each other next to the pin and work the arm up and down until it
moves freely. Put a bit more oil and work it some more. 3-in-1 or spraying
WD-40 on might be faster.

 

You mention replacing the blades, but you may try replacing the entire
support structure (don't know the technical name for it) But, for a
few bucks more than a blade alone, you can buy the blade + support,
and just clip it on the end of the wiper arm as a complete unit.

Corey

 

I had a similar problem with an 87 Prelude in which the wiper would
not press against the windshield hard enough at speeds above 50mph.
And this only happened on the drivers side. I tried a new wiper arm
and that didn't make a difference. I tried making a small air foil
attached to the arm. That helped only slightly. I then modified the
wiper arm by increasing the spring tension in the arm. It was a PITA
to do but it did the trick.

 

Yeah, thats what I mean. The whole blade, support and all. When I take the
old one off, only the metal arm is left there. I didnt even know you could
JUST replace the blade.

I'll try the oil idea. For some reason I didnt think of that!

Thanks guys!

Scott





(Corey872) wrote in

 

On my old truck, the blades would start to lift off of the windshield around
65mph and not make a clean wipe. Then I saw some helper springs at a local
NAPA store, called "Wiper Huggies" or something like that. I put them on
and never had a problem since then. Very effective $4 spent!

Just googled some up here:
http://www.mossats.com/access.html#WIPER%20HUGGIES
They are sold mainly up north, as an aid for wiping slush/ice from
windshields.

I've not had any problems with my Accord, so haven't tried them on it yet.

You might also check out the silicone wiper blades, e.g. :
http://www.silblade.com/

 

Scott, you can usually just buy new inserts (the strip of rubber which
actually touches the windshield) instead of the whole new arm. Be sure
to save the 2 stainless steel spines which go into the piece of
rubber. The aftermarket replacements usually don't come with these.
This is an easy rebuild once you get the correct type of insert. Be
patient and do it while you're watching TV. >;^)

I spend a great deal of time (probably too much) taking care of my
blades. When swapping summer and winter blades, I take the blades
coming off, clean then thoroughly with Simple Green or a strong
household spary like 409, rinse thoroughly then dry them.

I check the rubber insert to see if it needs replacing. Usually, the
ends start to "separate" first and this will be obvious upon
inspection.

Then LIGHTLY lubricate the pin heads with a tiny drop on each. I then
let them sit on their side so the oil drop can work it's way down the
whole pin. I often leave them in this position for weeks. Why not? I'm
never in a hurry.

The whole assembly (including blade/insert) should flex easily before
it is put back on.

The winter blades, with that rubber sheath covering everything, often
conceal salt, sand and then rust. I rinse these out as best when I
take them off I can but rarely get more than 2 winters from one set.
Lubricating them is all but impossible. I've tried adding a few drops
of oil in one end then letting them hang but that's probably no good.
If you try to flex them with your hands then they resist and/or feel
"crunchy" then throw them out. They are all corroded inside.

I hate WD-40. PB Blaster is a fantastic penetrant and nearly anything
else is a better lubricant. I often use ATF out of eye-drop bottles as
a lube if I don't have a good spray available (Valvoline Synpower,
Mobil 1, etc ...). I also use a rubber dressing (Black Magic) on the
thin rubber cover to keep it from drying out.

But yes, once you know the blade/insert is in good condition and that
the whole wiper arms flexes properly, the only thing left is the
spring tension on the arm.

--- Bror Jace