Wiper Arm Tension

Dango85 · #1 02-23-2008, 06:23 PM

OK, so I bought new wiper blades for my truck, only to discover that my passenger side front wiper does not have enough tension holding it against the windshield, so when it runs, it leaves a horrible streak in the center of where it should be wiping.

I thought this was a blade problem, but it is the arm, just as the auto parts store suspected it was (considering I purchased the best blades made right now). Nothing should have happened to the arms as they haven't been bent or damaged.

Any ideas on how to get more tension out of the spring, or how to adjust the arm? This is incredibly annoying, especially when needing to clear the windshield on the highway.

Thanks!

deerang · #2 02-23-2008, 06:45 PM

i had the same issue in my rear wiper.. the wiper arms are thin metal for good reason, so you can give em a lil bend with your hands... put a bit of a bow in the wiper arm and it'll force the blade against the windshield a lil more

Kensai · #3 02-23-2008, 06:46 PM

If memory serves, I think you can buy a replacement spring coil.

shrpshtr325 · #4 02-23-2008, 07:12 PM

my rear wiper is (brand new blade) leaving a clear window at the bottome but at the top of the (semi)-circular sweep it just doesnt work and leaves the sweep with a flat top, how can i fix it, ill try and take some pics next time it rains

deerang · #5 02-23-2008, 07:31 PM

hey sharpshooter.. if your wiper blade has a metal frame, put a small bend in the blade itself... i bent mine about 10cm from the outtermost tip to put a little more pressure on it.. just bend it in small increments so it doesnt get too deformed...

I fixed the front ones that didnt have enough pressure on the blade by bending the arm maybe by 5-10 degrees, and fixed the rear that had unever pressure by bending the blade slightly... both work perfect now...

total cost $0!

Dango85 · #6 02-23-2008, 10:23 PM

Sounds like the whole arm needs a bend then, since the streaking is in the center, where the main pressure is exerted.

As Derrang noted, I see that my passenger side front blade doesn't like to hug the outermost part of the windshield either, as it slopes away at an angle steeper than the blade rests on the glass. Guess that blade will get a bend on the end as well.

Anyway, I just wanted to see if there was a bolt, screw, spring, or something to adjust or inspect prior to getting physical and bending parts to get things back.

shrpshtr325 · #7 02-23-2008, 10:24 PM

i think the new blade i ended up w/ is plastic, idiot broke the arm attachment taking it off the back to replace the rubber in it[:@][:@] this is why i tell my parents to let me fix it, but they wouldnt ill try it if i can and let you know, any other ideas just incase it is plastic????

deerang · #8 02-24-2008, 12:20 AM

if the whole wiper is plastic, try to flip it around in the holder... make the inner part the outter part you know? That once worked for me, don't know if the blade was "directional" or some crap like that, but it worked much better one way than the other...

you could always bring it back to the store and say you bought the wrong size.. then get a better wiper... I have not used Motomaster reflex on the D, but my buddies Civic, and another Acura CL, those things are amazing... lil pricey at like $18 per blade, but well worth it

Durango03 · #9 02-24-2008, 09:24 AM

Yea, the new wipers with no frame are the best Ive used so far. They make them for the rear wiper also. I have them on my D and they work Awesome and quiet.

Dango85 · #10 02-24-2008, 09:40 AM

That was the style I was trying to use, but the passenger side only held tension on the outer parts, and the center still streaked (sometime intermittently too, which only increased the frustration).

Total bummer when you drop $40 on wipers, but fortunately I got my money back until I figure out a solution.