Aarrgh, Wipers

[2052006 10]

I've tried:

 

Halfords wipers - they were crap to start with

 

Bosch - good for about 5 months before giving up

 

So I've recently fitted some Valeo flat blade ones (I had flat blade wipers, bought from the dealer, on my BMW and they were the best wipers on any car I've had) so I thought I'd try some flat blades on the 205 - but, no, they are crap as well, despite being quite expensive.

 

So, what's left? Normal style Valeo ones?

[Obey_R 23]

Tried Champion?

[welshpug 1,657]

what's the issues you are having?

 

not had any with my Valeo Silencio Aero wiper on my ZX, their Silencio standard type are good though, my local motorfactor stocks both

[Daviewonder 533 3 Cars]

What issues are you having with them? I usually just use cheap jobbies from motor factors and they last for a good few years with no problems.

[muddatrucker 125]

I bought some cheap flat ones off ebay, they seem to judder every now and then though, although I did put some stuff on my windscreen to warn off rain (and its s*it, almost like oil, keeps clouding up) and I wonder if thats the actual cause.

[2052006 10]

These latest ones (think they are Valeo Compact Revolution Flat Blades) squeak, judder, miss bits. Generally don't wipe!

 

@WP - yes, I was considering the standard Silencio type. Hoping they'd last longer than my Bosch ones did.

[welshpug 1,657]

I'd suggest cleaning your windscreen properly first, you can get cutting compounds for glass or a friend said just use some AG SRP, personally I use RainX afterwards too though many people don't get on with it.

[Daviewonder 533 3 Cars]

The blade has to make contact with the glass as perpendicular as possible, because it has to work in two directions. If it's touching at an angle, it'll work smoother in one direction but judder in the other. If they're not try bending/twisting the arms slightly until they are.

[2052006 10]

Well, I have tried that - given it a good clean/wash and also polished it (proper glass cleaner Autoglym stuff). Never seems to make much difference.

[welshpug 1,657]

make sure the arms give enough pressure and as mentioned above hold the blade at the right angle, not unknown for these to seize up at the pivot, or for the arms to be bent.

 

 

any idea on the condition of the wiper spindles and linkages?

[2052006 10]

The blade has to make contact with the glass as perpendicular as possible, because it has to work in two directions. If it's touching at an angle, it'll work smoother in one direction but judder in the other. If they're not try bending/twisting the arms slightly until they are.

 

Thanks - I'll have to check that. But the thin part of the blade that touches the glass seems to flip over anyway depending on which direction it's being swept, so it's sort of always at an angle anyway? But I'll have to have a another look though.

[2052006 10]

make sure the arms give enough pressure and as mentioned above hold the blade at the right angle, not unknown for these to seize up at the pivot, or for the arms to be bent.

 

 

any idea on the condition of the wiper spindles and linkages?

 

 

Had it all apart about 18 mths ago when I fitted a xsara wiper motor, so I think they're ok. The speed of the wipers seem fine, so I don't think anything's seized.

 

I've played about a bit with the arms , but haven't wanted to bend them too much, for obvious reasons!

[Gibbo GTI 0]

PIAA wipers are awesome, well worth the extra they cost as they last ages and clear the screen well with no annoying judder.

[Anthony 1,003]

Are you sure it's not something contaiminating the screen where you leave the car parked up that's behind the smearing and short lifespan of the wiper blades Pete?

 

I've used Valeo, Champion and even Halfords blades on mine, and all have lasted just fine and performed well - the only time I have significant issues is if the screen gets contaiminated with tree sap, car wax or similar, and then they smear badly until you drive through heavy enough rainfall to wash it off (or just clean the windscreen)

[gtmotorsport 0]

Just to add I have just bought a pair of Sillblades for my Landrover Discovery and so far they seem good.

 

Link to where I got them - http://www.mudstuff.co.uk/SilBlade_Silicon...er_Blades.shtml

[2052006 10]

Are you sure it's not something contaiminating the screen where you leave the car parked up that's behind the smearing and short lifespan of the wiper blades Pete?

 

I've used Valeo, Champion and even Halfords blades on mine, and all have lasted just fine and performed well - the only time I have significant issues is if the screen gets contaiminated with tree sap, car wax or similar, and then they smear badly until you drive through heavy enough rainfall to wash it off (or just clean the windscreen)

 

No, I'm sure it's not the screen being dirty or contaminated. Like I say, I've tried giving it a good clean with AG glass cleaner too (many a time) and it doesn't make much difference. My other car doesn't have the same problem either. The wipers on my current Volvo are cheapo items and look like they are not in very good condition visually, but they still work much better than those on the 205.

 

The Bosch ones were good at first, but really didn't last long at all. I'm starting to wonder if it's something to do with the arms though or mechanism...?

[White Pugs 6]

bosch aero (flat type) are all good for me

[2052006 10]

Spent an hour this evening dismantling the wiper mech. All appears ok and made sure it was all free.

 

Only thing I did see was that the spindles that the arms bolt on to moves around slightly. Are they meant to do this ie. have a little free play in them?

[welshpug 1,657]

not really!