Windscreen Wipers - Split from Sun Visors Thread
Discussion
Thought I'd split this from the other thread.
Measured the wipers on Tamy this morning. Driver's side 18&1/2 inches, Passenger's side 19&1/2 inches. Although, both wipers wipe over the screen seal at some point (top or bottom).
Therefore, I've decided to get a on 16 inch and one 17 inch flat blades and see if they work.
It would appear that the key to TVR ownership is get some advice, double check on your actual car, check the advice and then hope your purchase is the right one.
Lovin' it.
Measured the wipers on Tamy this morning. Driver's side 18&1/2 inches, Passenger's side 19&1/2 inches. Although, both wipers wipe over the screen seal at some point (top or bottom).
Therefore, I've decided to get a on 16 inch and one 17 inch flat blades and see if they work.
It would appear that the key to TVR ownership is get some advice, double check on your actual car, check the advice and then hope your purchase is the right one.
Lovin' it.
Not sure if the Tam is the same screen as the Sag but here are a couple of pictures at the extremes with two 18" flat wipers. The factory standard was 19" drivers side, 18" passenger side, but I returned the 19" flat and got an 18" instead when I found it hit the top of the screen surround.
You can see scratches on the drivers side screen beyond the wiper. This was caused by a badly adjusted wiper arm causing the wiper frame to hit the windscreen (before I adjusted and fitted these wipers) at the extreme position. You can also see around an inch or so gap between the blade and screen at park on the passenger side. The same is true with the original blade.
Hope they are useful in deciding what sizes to buy.
You can see scratches on the drivers side screen beyond the wiper. This was caused by a badly adjusted wiper arm causing the wiper frame to hit the windscreen (before I adjusted and fitted these wipers) at the extreme position. You can also see around an inch or so gap between the blade and screen at park on the passenger side. The same is true with the original blade.
Hope they are useful in deciding what sizes to buy.
15" is the right size for my Tam. As I said in the other thread 18" hits the seal top and side, and you could actually see the tip flicking past the drivers side A pillar through the side window... Also, it may look from the outside like a bigger wiper is covering more area, but I dont think it actually makes any difference when viewed from the inside because the extra is over the edge that you can see, in my car.
But... I dont think the bosch aero blade type wipers are right for our screens in any size, the passenger side blade has literally just started making a knocking noise today...
the blade doesnt sit edge-on on the screen anymore, I collapses onto its side as the blade goes up and down, making the knock noise. I think this is because it just cant cope with the curvature, whereas a standart "scaffold" type blabe hugs it much better because its far more flexible.
Im pretty sure we all have the same screens but the pivot point probably varies between the different models?
But... I dont think the bosch aero blade type wipers are right for our screens in any size, the passenger side blade has literally just started making a knocking noise today...
the blade doesnt sit edge-on on the screen anymore, I collapses onto its side as the blade goes up and down, making the knock noise. I think this is because it just cant cope with the curvature, whereas a standart "scaffold" type blabe hugs it much better because its far more flexible.Im pretty sure we all have the same screens but the pivot point probably varies between the different models?
Englishman said:
Not sure if the Tam is the same screen as the Sag but here are a couple of pictures at the extremes with two 18" flat wipers. The factory standard was 19" drivers side, 18" passenger side, but I returned the 19" flat and got an 18" instead when I found it hit the top of the screen surround.
You can see scratches on the drivers side screen beyond the wiper. This was caused by a badly adjusted wiper arm causing the wiper frame to hit the windscreen (before I adjusted and fitted these wipers) at the extreme position. You can also see around an inch or so gap between the blade and screen at park on the passenger side. The same is true with the original blade.
Hope they are useful in deciding what sizes to buy.
Hehe on my Tam it looks nothing like that You can see scratches on the drivers side screen beyond the wiper. This was caused by a badly adjusted wiper arm causing the wiper frame to hit the windscreen (before I adjusted and fitted these wipers) at the extreme position. You can also see around an inch or so gap between the blade and screen at park on the passenger side. The same is true with the original blade.
Hope they are useful in deciding what sizes to buy.
My wiper goes way past that vertical position but on the way there it hits the top seal (with 18s). I think this means the pivot point on a sag is in a better place. I'm going to have a look tomorrow to see if the rotation range can be adjusted. I have a feeling mine is all wrong because when in the down position it looks like it could go down another 15 degrees.
I had a similar windscreen curvature issue on my Chimaera.
I fitted some of the modern blades of the type you show in the pics, and they wiped beautifully all the bits the previous blades missed.
Unfortunately, they wouldn't sit flat on the screen, so didn't wipe the section straight in front of my face, and i discovered in a sudden thunderstorm.
Had to change back to old style blades, but managed to upgrade to some lovely blades Leven do for the Chimaera, with neat inbuilt screen washer jets.
I fitted some of the modern blades of the type you show in the pics, and they wiped beautifully all the bits the previous blades missed.
Unfortunately, they wouldn't sit flat on the screen, so didn't wipe the section straight in front of my face, and i discovered in a sudden thunderstorm.
Had to change back to old style blades, but managed to upgrade to some lovely blades Leven do for the Chimaera, with neat inbuilt screen washer jets.
NWTony said:
My twopenneth worth is that the traditional style blads clear the screan better than the modern flat ones. I got Bosch ones from Eurocarparts for about £3 a piece and they work a treat.
I'm definetely leaning toward this school of thought,, given the bad experience with 18" and now 15" bosch areo blades with the pass side collapsing/knocking. But I can totally accept that some dont have a problem with them... its that hand built factor.I think if I can get the range of rotation adjusted, so that they go down all the way down and thus not as far toward the A pillar, then I wont object to the aesthetics of the old style scaffold like blades so much since they wont be in my view as much when Off.
Btw I pretty sure 99% of the time poor wipping is just because of an old or dirty blade edge so for me the case for the blades is purely aesthetic. But I dont know what its like at autobahn speeds... if the aero bit makes any difference or not, I take it easy in the rain.
My biggest gripe with them is that they are too slow on fast setting when you find yourself in those torrential showers or going past a lorry.
My biggest gripe with them is that they are too slow on fast setting when you find yourself in those torrential showers or going past a lorry.
Right. New wipers turned up yesterday and I fitted them today.
I bought a 16 and a 17-inch retro fit blade from here - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320861970641?var=5100574...
Seemed reasonable and very easy to fit;
Need to adjust the drivers wiper so it comes down more. No problems with catching of the windscreen rubber or extending past the screen. Actually think a 17-inch would fit on the drivers side as it doesn't wipe up to the tinted 'frame'.
Yet to test on the road so a swap to 17-inch may happen. If they don't perform then I'll report back to the thread.
I bought a 16 and a 17-inch retro fit blade from here - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320861970641?var=5100574...
Seemed reasonable and very easy to fit;
Need to adjust the drivers wiper so it comes down more. No problems with catching of the windscreen rubber or extending past the screen. Actually think a 17-inch would fit on the drivers side as it doesn't wipe up to the tinted 'frame'.
Yet to test on the road so a swap to 17-inch may happen. If they don't perform then I'll report back to the thread.
I've just done the opposite and went from bosch blade to bosch standard.
The reason being that the barely 2 month old passenger side blade edge was collapsing onto its side every time it hit the lowest position, making a knock.
Examined the blade and it didn't appear split in any way, I'm deducing that it was doing so because the blade edge is too wide (tall?) and because all the friction is on only 2/3 of the blade and focused at the apex of the screen curve.
I cleaned the windscreen and blade edge but it was still falling over and knocking, its maybe fatigued from doing so repeatedly, so of to Helfrauds to try something else...
The blade width of the standard bosch wiper is narrower than the aero's, so I bought them. They wrap around the screen on the passenger side much much better, from the drivers seat it looks properly hooked around the screen like a J.
While fitting I bent the arms further back (at the bend bit where the sprayer is) so that they are more horizontal when at rest. It was easier than I expected to bend it in that direction. Prior to this they looked almost as bad as the mk1fan's picture above. Too dark now to take pics.
Anyhow the new wipers are wisper quiet so currently very happy.
The reason being that the barely 2 month old passenger side blade edge was collapsing onto its side every time it hit the lowest position, making a knock.
Examined the blade and it didn't appear split in any way, I'm deducing that it was doing so because the blade edge is too wide (tall?) and because all the friction is on only 2/3 of the blade and focused at the apex of the screen curve.
I cleaned the windscreen and blade edge but it was still falling over and knocking, its maybe fatigued from doing so repeatedly, so of to Helfrauds to try something else...
The blade width of the standard bosch wiper is narrower than the aero's, so I bought them. They wrap around the screen on the passenger side much much better, from the drivers seat it looks properly hooked around the screen like a J.
While fitting I bent the arms further back (at the bend bit where the sprayer is) so that they are more horizontal when at rest. It was easier than I expected to bend it in that direction. Prior to this they looked almost as bad as the mk1fan's picture above. Too dark now to take pics.
Anyhow the new wipers are wisper quiet so currently very happy.
I adjusted the drivers side and it lay nice and flush with the windscreen seal. The moved the passenger side one more spline and it sits lower. Went to close the bonnet and the blooming off centre stop fouled the drivers side wiper. So adjusted it back. Looks better than the above though.
Tamy had a nice 100-mile run out on Sunday. Bit of early morning central London, then motorway and a final bit of B-road. Then return journey.
Bit slippy in the morning, although the dash listed a water temp warning of 202 deg C when I turned the ignition on. I think the cold may have effected that particular circuit
Anyway, the return journey had rain, from spits to downpours and the wipers performed really well. Cleared the screen cleanly and without squeeling. Cheap they may have been and time will tell if they last, but for now a thumbs up from me.
Bit slippy in the morning, although the dash listed a water temp warning of 202 deg C when I turned the ignition on. I think the cold may have effected that particular circuit
Anyway, the return journey had rain, from spits to downpours and the wipers performed really well. Cleared the screen cleanly and without squeeling. Cheap they may have been and time will tell if they last, but for now a thumbs up from me.
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